On Saturday 15AUG15 I saw a “Corrida de Rejones” in El Puerto de Santa Maria. A Corrida de Rejones is Spanish bullfight in which all three acts occur on horseback. This corrida was in honor of Fermin Bohorquez who according to Wikipedia is a great rejoneador from Jerez. He got to fight two bulls and earned one ear for his first bull and nothing for his second. Mr. Bohorquez was joined by five additional rejoneadors. This was unique as I am used to three bullfighters fighting two bulls a piece. In this fight, I saw seven bulls as Bohorquez got two bulls (also unique.) My favorite fight was the third fight in which the Portuguese rejondeador Rui Fernandes showed great horseman-ship. He cut one ear for his Faena. Leonardo Hernandez in the fifth fight won two ears and actually had his elbow on the bulls head while riding his horse circling the bull. You have to see the pictures to believe it is possible.
I did not know what to expect with this event. My tickets were only 32 euros, cheaper than the other fights of the temporada. I got a sol seat but the fight did not start until 22:00. I do not understand Plaza de Toros business management as they did not sell too many shade seats for double the price for a 22:00 fight. Anyhow, I would guess that the cost is much greater as each rejondeador has a stable of at least three horses (show horse for pomp, very fast and brave horse for the 1st act, very smart horse to trick the bull for the placing of the banderillas, and a very steady horse for the kill.
My favorite part of a Rejone is the horsemanship. They had horses jumping on two legs, horses dancing back and forth in front of the bull, and horses running backwards/sideways from a charging bull. Spanish/Portuguese equestrian art is impressive. This being said, I prefer a traditional Spanish bull fight. I think a man on a horse is too far from the bull for the full effect.
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