Rough Start to the Bullfighting Season

Less than half the arena was filled, most likely due to the unusual decision to start the season on a Saturday instead of Sunday. The afternoon was a bit chilly but without any wind. It was a shame that such a lackluster crowd turned out for a performance that deserved a better turnout.

Well-presented bulls were bred by Bernardo de Quirós in Ocampo, Guanajuato, but unfortunately, they turned out to be quite tame. The first bull was visibly injured and should not have been fought. The second bull was very timid, much like those typically encountered in local bullrings. The third bull showed more mobility but was booed during the drag. The fourth bull was steady and repetitive, but the audience failed to appreciate its nuances. The fifth bull had injured hands but demonstrated nobility. The sixth bull was very passive.

Eulalio López "El Zotoluco" from Azcapotzalco, dressed in black and gold, did not deliver a stellar performance this afternoon. He was severely criticized during his previous appearance at this Plaza. He had numerous disarmings and made several mistakes with both of his bulls. His performance was lifeless. In front of the first bull, a chestnut with a left-sided horn injury, he failed to make any impact. He finished the bull with a jab and a clean kill but received no applause. In front of the fourth bull, he kneeled to greet it with his cape and, once standing, executed several remarkable maneuvers. He took the bull to the horse with a special technique but lost his cape at the end of the performance, fortunately avoiding injury. He started his muleta work on his knees and, once standing, managed to successfully execute some good natural passes, although the bull deserved more effort. Then he made the mistake of positioning himself too close to the barrier, losing control amidst the flurry of muletazos. He killed the bull with a clean thrust, but it did not have the desired effect, resulting in several unsuccessful stabs and an official warning. He left the ring in silence.

José María Manzanares from Alicante, dressed in blue and gold, had an auspicious start with his first bull, receiving great recognition for his capework. He faced a bull showing signs of fatigue but managed to execute muletazos of great dimension and quality. He killed it with a perfect thrust that split the bull in two. A mild request for an ear was not granted, but he received strong applause in the third of the ring.

The fifth bull visibly had injured hands and knocked down the horse due to poor positioning. With the muleta, Manzanares showcased the art of toreo with elegance and good taste in his natural passes. His control and softness pleased the bull and the audience. His toreo was done at a medium height, not lowering his hand too much to prevent tripping on the sand. He managed to connect several profound natural passes. He even surprised the audience by executing frontal passes that made some spectators rise from their seats. He killed the bull with a detached thrust, and despite some protests, most of the crowd demanded an ear. He took a victory lap amidst the overwhelming applause, leaving behind the memory of the great faena he performed with Contador #677 weighing 532 kg.

Alejandro Talavante from Extremadura, dressed in olive and gold, only managed to display a few good details in his first performance. He killed the bull with an effective and well-placed thrust. He stepped out of the ring amidst some applause. With the bull that closed the event, he had a brief but impressive cape performance, demonstrating fine technique. The bull was poorly lanced, but Talavante managed to perform a few smooth and elegant natural passes in his own style, pleasing the audience. He killed the bull with a rear thrust and left the ring in silence.

Banderillero Christian Sánchez received recognition and applause in the third of the ring.

It's hard to believe that despite the change in management, which now includes two prominent and prestigious breeders, the season started with such a disappointing display of bulls, satisfying the whims of no one. Let's give the famous "Bernalditos" a well-deserved break.