Disappointment and shamelessness

At the exit of the plaza, the faces of the fans reflected a mixture of disappointment and anger. The return of the Baltasar Ibán livestock to Vic was eagerly awaited, after a year of absence and with the memory of the brave bullfights fought by this brand in this ring. Hence the disappointment was immense. And not so much because of the performance of the ibanes, who were not up to the level of other years, but especially because of the presentation of the last specimen that entered the ring.

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As soon as that sixth one came out, branded with the number 47 and called Camarito ―a prestigious name in this house―, the boos broke out in the stands. The animal, small and narrow, showed some lamentable front horns, more than suspicious. Some called for the presence of Diego Ventura in the ring. You can imagine why. How could such an infamously presented bull be fought in such a presumably demanding fair?

But no one there took notice. The bullfighters continued as if it didn’t concern them, to the point that Juan de Castilla wanted to show off in the last third, enjoying himself and indulging, as if he were in a training session. What audacity.

Another outrage by the “bullfighting people,” whose misdeeds are not limited only to the other side of the border. It was the last straw in an uneven but disappointing bullfight (considering the expectations). The brave and fierce ibanes did not show up. Still, there were a couple of good bulls. They were the ones fought first and third. They performed well in the three varas and charged with noble determination on the muleta. One with more quality and vigor; the other with more demand.

The second and fifth lacked stamina, while the fourth was very tame, running away from its shadow and defensive after the first third. It was during one of these ―also in the unacceptable sixth― that some fans angrily and indignantly approached Luis Miguel Encabo, who was in the alley.

Why? Very simple: Encabo, a retired bullfighter, has been the representative of Baltasar Ibán for four years. A bullfighter responsible for safeguarding the integrity and breed of such a legendary herd… And not only that; he is also a bullfighting commentator and the manager of Juan de Castilla. “How well you take care of your bullfighter, Encabo,” they shouted from a seat, referring to the obvious conflict of interest, a matter, by the way, common in current bullfighting.

Despite everything, De Castilla did not triumph. Neither he nor his companions. The Colombian left some deep and long muletazos, but was far from the level of the third, who repeated humbly and with transmission. There was a lack of adjustment and harmony.

Morenito de Aranda also did not connect with the clear first. Very composed, yes, extending the right and left passes a lot, but almost always detached, twisted in the cite, and unloading the move. The disaster with the sword in the fourth, outrageous. Nine pinches before finishing the animal with the descabello.

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The best was signed by José Garrido. The Extremaduran left a couple of good verónicas in the cape greeting to the second, as well as a commendable quite by delantales. Afterwards, he was uncomfortable and did not connect. Against the noble but unbranded fifth, who threatened to run away at the end of the performance, he almost always cited outside the horn, but at least he adjusted a bit more in the engagement and advanced the leg in different phases of the round bullfighting.

After the interesting morning contest bullfight, disappointment took over the attendees again. And as is well known, as in the poor man’s house, how little joy lasts in the bullfighting fan!