CORRIDA DE TOROS
The “Corrida de Toros” is usually defined by three essential elements:
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The swordmen are bullfighters on foot that belong to the category of “Matador de Toros” acquired in a ceremony called “Alternativa”. They usually have a lot of experience in bullfighting and are technically skilled to face the bull and use it for artistic purposes following the rules established by tradition. Today it is worth mentioning the following great Matadores de Toros : Enrique Ponce, Morante de la Puebla, Sebastián Castella, Roca Rey, Jose María Manzanares, Juan Jose Padilla, Talavante, El Cid.
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In Bullrings of first category, the bulls usually weigh at least 470 Kg and must be between 5 and 7 years old. The “Erales” (two or three-year old males) undergo different trials in order to select the best bulls capable of producing off-spring that are “toros bravos”, fighting bulls. The “Tienta” is the test that the stockbreeder conducts in order to check the fighting spirit of the males and females. Fighting bulls are selected primarily for a certain combination of energy, strenght and aggressiveness.The bull is a real danger and an unpredicable adersary.Victorino Martín, Miura, Fuente Ymbro, Dolores Aguirre, Samuel Flores, Parlade, Victoriano del Río are some of the most famous stockbreeders.
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The bullfight is divided in three main phases ( Tercios ): a) Tercio de Varas, in which the “Picador”, with his lance, steps forth to weaken the bull`s strength. b) Tercio de Banderillas, in which the “Banderillas” jab the bull’s neck. C) Tercio de Muerte, during which time the bull is put to death. It consists of preparing the bull for its death and of killing it by the use of the sword. The amount of time it takes to execute the bull’s death is limited and is indicated by warning signals given by the presidency. The most important of these signals are directed to the matador who, through lack of experience, uses an excessive amount of time to consummate the death of the bull. The correct thrusting of the sword is one that penetrates to the butt of the sword.
Once the bull is dead, the audience, by applause and whistles, judges the matador ́s performance and, as such, influences the final ruling from the president.
Currently forty two Corridas de toros are held in Las Ventas Bullring of Madrid every year.
