Who chooses the novice bullfighters in Las Ventas?

The question in the title, of course, is rhetorical. Who is going to choose the novice bullfighters at Las Ventas? The company, naturally. It would be better if the business owners explained the criteria they take into account when announcing a novice bullfighter. With today’s lineup, they have undoubtedly made a mistake.

Read more The Civil Guard intercepts a cargo ship in international waters with a gigantic cocaine shipment

The three novice bullfighters this afternoon, judging by what was seen in the ring, lack the minimum conditions to parade in this arena. All three were far below the well-presented, brave, and noble novice bulls from the Portuguese ranch of Couto de Fornilhos. Four of the bulls fought, the first three and the sixth, were applauded during the dragging out; all, to a greater or lesser extent, fulfilled in the lance, and those who received the public’s approval offered a performance with the muleta with enough quality for their bullfighters to triumph.

But that was not the case. Moreover, two of them, Cristian González and Juan Alberto Torrijos, each took a lap of the ring on their own, without anyone asking them to; the first, moreover, after the death of the fifth bull, came out to salute the crowd amid the silent surprise of the audience.

It is not serious. Someone should tell these bullfighters that there are written and unwritten rules that must be respected; everything else is an unacceptable ridicule that must be avoided, especially in an arena of the category of Las Ventas.

None of the three demonstrated technical ability either with the cape or with the muleta; lacking enthusiasm and with no will to fight. The three used the cape in any way, with the exception, perhaps, of some graceful verónicas by Torrijos to the third and a quite elegant pass by Arruza to that same bull. That was the end of the cape bullfighting.

Arruza was out of tune, superficial, and without a hint of control with the one who opened the show, with an insubstantial performance, and the clear impression of an urgent desire to get rid of his opponent as soon as possible; and bored with the slow fourth.

González overused very short series, always detached and frequently letting the muleta get caught. He did not manage to say anything either before the more than decent second bull or the more boring fifth; but none of that prevented him from taking his lap of the ring and coming out to salute the crowd.

Torrijos showed a cheerful attitude at the start of the muleta with the third, but soon his lack of control and calm stood out more, which prevented him from taking advantage of the good qualities of the animal. He did deliver, however, a good sword thrust, which was the best of his performance. And very poor, without excuses, before the sixth. Despite the shouting of a group of supporters, the muletazos came out without depth and detached, which ended up spoiling an afternoon that, for sure, the three will not forget.

Read more McLaren tightens the screws on Antonelli, who also wins in Miami

And the question returns: what criteria are used to announce the novice bullfighters? Today, a gross error by the company.