Photos: Fear and glory for Spain’s horse mounted bullfighters
Updated On Jul 13, 2019 07:29 PM IST
Of all traditions surrounding the varied world of bullfighting, the horse mounted "rejoneo" bullfighter is among the least understood. Those who love it consider it a skilled art form; others see it as a cruel and bloody crime for the sake of entertainment. Roberto Armendariz, a 33-year-old rejoneador, recounts his experiences and learning since the time he started bullfighting aged 11.
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Updated on Jul 13, 2019 07:29 PM IST
Roberto Armendariz, 33, a Spanish “rejoneador’’ or mounted bullfighter, poses with one of his horses called Heroi, at his ranch in Noain, northern Spain. Of all traditions surrounding the varied world of bullfighting, the horse mounted “rejoneo” bullfighting is among the least understood. Fans consider it a skilled art form; others see it as a cruel and bloody crime for the sake of entertainment. (Alvaro Barrientos / AP)
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Updated on Jul 13, 2019 07:29 PM IST
Armendariz waves at the end of his performance during a horseback bullfight at San Fermin Fiestas, northern Spain. He feels “a great deal of responsibility” every time he steps out into the bullring with one of his highly trained stallions. (Alvaro Barrientos / AP)
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Some people believe that the “rejoneador,” mounted on a horse and armed with his lance, takes a more cowardly approach to bullfighting compared to the traditional matador, who faces his victim-to-be on foot. (Alvaro Barrientos / AP)
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A horse known as ‘’Diamante’’ and belonging to Armendariz stands inside a stable, at his ranch in Noain. Armendariz, who took up bullfighting when he was 11 years old, said the beauty of horses first captivated his imagination. Since he trained to become a professional, Armendariz spends hours every day with his animals, often pampering Heroi, Farruco and Diamante. (Alvaro Barrientos / AP)
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Armendariz’s assistant Miguel prepares a fake bull to take part in a training at a ranch in Noain. “When I’m on the horse, I go out of my way to confront the bull, searching for it. I do things that are highly risky but I still don’t want the horse to be hurt or to suffer,” said Armendariz while stroking the head of Heroi, a gray-spotted white male and one of his favourite horses. (Alvaro Barrientos / AP)
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There’s also much fear to confront, said Armendariz, who performed last Saturday in the bullring of his native Pamplona, the city hosting Spain’s annual running of the bull races during the famed San Fermin festival that inspired American writer Ernest Hemingway. (Alvaro Barrientos / AP)
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Armendariz poses with photos of saints and virgins that he prays to before every performance, at his ranch in Noain. The prayers didn’t help on the big day. Armendariz and his horse Farruco failed to earn any of the prizes. He appeared nervous when the sword failed to go deep into the two bulls assigned to him that afternoon. (Alvaro Barrientos / AP)
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Updated on Jul 13, 2019 07:29 PM IST