The demanding bull of Pedraza de Yeltes

It would be a more than interesting bill if three of the so-called top figures of today were announced with a bullfight like today’s from the Pedraza de Yeltes ranch; it would be a good opportunity to check if they are delicate bullfighters before gentle bulls or heroic artists from slippers to the ponytail.

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Today’s bullfight, very well presented, very serious, with sharp horns, has been very demanding for the bullfighters; and rough, hard, and uneven as well, as has been its behavior in the lances and before the passes. There was not a single one who gave a free muletazo, which forced the trio to sweat and work hard knowing that it will serve little for their future.

Because that is the problem, they truly risk their lives in these bullfights and have no reward; on the contrary, it will serve as justification for more than one promoter to erase them from the agenda.

The first two bulls came out sleepy, as if just waking from a nap, heavy-footed, with the gait of oxen, with no chance to shine. The third, yes, came long and galloping to the picador’s call, and pushed with its loins against the horse ridden by Oscar Alba; that bull reached the final third eager to devour the muleta, sometimes with composure, other times with its head in the clouds, very complicated for a bullfighter as little experienced as Jarocho. The fourth, dull and dropping its head at every step; disordered and abrupt the also tame fifth, which knocked down banderillero Víctor Manuel Martínez when leaving a pair and caused contusions pending radiological study, according to the medical report. And the sixth, which also pushed on the first lance and allowed Juan Melgar to shine, came to the muleta without clarity in its behavior until it calmed down, perhaps too much, and allowed one of the few brilliant moments of the afternoon: a handful of slow-motion naturales by Jarocho, long and beautiful, which allowed for a moment to enjoy high-quality bullfighting.

In his first, that brave third, with which the team made a fool of themselves in the second third, Jarocho struggled to find the place, the depth, and the form to shine. His opponent was not easy at all, brave yes, but with short stamina and noble only at times. He suffered hooks, a disarm, and in the disorder of the fight, Jarocho managed to steal five naturales in two different tandas that allowed him to breathe before such an exciting yet difficult bull. He killed both badly, which is a blot he must take care of to move forward.

His companions had worse luck. Fonseca found the sleepy first, with which he could only be more committed and dedicated than the bull deserved. The fourth knocked him down at the start of the muleta faena when he tried to give a reverse pass behind his back and he was the only one in the entire arena who did not realize the bull was coming crossed and ready to throw him, as happened, though fortunately without consequences. After recovering from the blow, he knelt and traced up to six right-hand passes that were nothing more than a good attitude before an impossible bull.

Impossible was Molina’s first, another that came out with the aftereffects of the afternoon nap, and the bullfighter was neat, which was the best he could be. He tried again unsuccessfully before the fifth, another dull animal with its head in the clouds.

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Interesting bullfight, yes, but very complicated for dedicated bullfighters whom no one, surely, will recognize their effort.