Season Dates
Reviews: 2008

Reviews for the 2008 Bullfight Season

October 26 2008
Plaza Monumental, Tijuana Mexico

Amongst approximately three thousand attendees, on a bit chilly and darkened, now late afternoon, the last bullfight of the "really" short season came to an end without any of the bullfighters victorious. With a cartel of Pepehillo, Jose Mauricio, and Julio Benitez "El Cordobes hijo", and bulls from San Jose, the paperwork looked good. Though we were in for quite a surprise.

Due to the late start 5:00PM I was only able to shoot stills for 3 bulls, the last three are on video camcorder and because of darkness the video doesn't look great

Pepehillo

The first bull of the afternoon was named "Tortolito" number 124 weighing 455 kilos. Pepehillo opened with a larga en tablas and got up and went to the medios and laid out a couple more largas, with the public cheering. The picadors came out and Jose walked the bull to the horse with chicuelinas, one good long pic by Miura of which he was applauded, a quite of tafalleras, and the fight was on...He placed his own sticks in his usual exciting style, the first was al violin, and the second pair, that were cortos, was that spinning al violin placement, the third pair were also corto and placed in los medios. His faena began with a pendulo, and then straight to the right hand, there was a lot of good passes on that side, then the bull stopped, as if to say, "wait a minute". Pepehillo, continued the faena and showed us technique and art, and it looked great until he pinched, then a half sword, then put a full sword in but a little off to the side. al tercio.

His second bull, was named "Chatito" numbered 144 and weighed 440 kilos, and was a beauty that looked like salt n pepper, black head and a white body with black "socks", Salpicado in Spanish. None the less Pepehillo started out with some veronicas that were pretty good. The picador was knocked off his horse, the bull caught him just right. It took some time to get the bull away from the fallen horse, it looked like the bull gored the horse, as he was limping while walking away. He placed his own banderillas and all of them this time were broken in half, though the last pair was scary, as after he placed them he tripped in front of the bull and was rolled over. In the video it looks like the bull hit Pepehillo in the left side of his face with the curved part of the horn, causing a ripping of his skin for about 4-5 inches. As he got up he ran to the burladero and Jose Mauricio tried to summon the medics, but Pepehillo grabbed his muleta and continued on with the faena, that was very good all around. Mostly the right side with derechazos and some naturales. He pinched with the sword again and denied any awards, the next sword was all the way in and although it took some time for the bull to drop, he wasn't award anything but a vuelta.

An interesting note to this last bull, and not sure how many people saw it, but the puntillero jumped the gun and began to cut an ear from the bull thinking that it was awarded, he gave the ear to the aguacille and the aguacille went to the medios to hand the ear to Pepehillo, but after a split second (after looking up at judge) walked back to the burladero real fast and hid himself and the ear. At that moment while the crowd was petitioning for an ear, I looked at the judge and saw him waving off the aguacille to get back into the burladero. Not sure who's mistake that was, perhaps the puntillero...

Jose Mauricio

The first bull for Jose Mauricio looked small to me, named "Monin" numbered 78 and weighing 427 kilos. His veronicas were just as good as they can get, finishing with a media. The pic was good and the quite of gaoneras was also good except for one that nearly gored the bullfighter. He dedicated the bull to a woman in the front row, then opened with some pase por altos and finished with a trincherazo. The right side was good for awhile, but the left didn't look so good, as he almost had some close calls. To me after that his faenas became a bit disorganized, am not to sure what he was planning but it was just all over the place with adornos, some kneeling that I didn't like. He placed a full sword but a bit caida, and needed one decabello. Al Tercio.

His second bull was named "Menito" numbered 114 and weighing 455 kilos, and there was not much he could do with the capote, he may have gotten one veronica off, and as he tried for another the bull hooked in and didn't allow it. The pic was long and a good one. The quite of gaoneras was good. He tried to open the faena with a pendulo but the bull just wouldn't budge so he called it off and started with some right handers out to the medios. He tried some more derechazos and they were fine, though the bull hooked into him a couple times during a pase de pecho. Jose's faena good here and there, not real good just fair, I mean there were some highlights but just not consistent, then he got stepped on, kicked his shoes off and the crowd went nuts!? Then a couple of kneeling manoletinas, ala Cavazos (you know what I am talking about). A couple more derechazos and a full sword off to the side. Ovacion

Julio Benitez "El Cordobes hijo"

El Cordobes' son drew the bull "Chemita", numbered 32 and weighing 475 kilos. He opened with veronicas that were picture perfect, then took the bull out to los medios and finished with a media veronica. the pic was good and after the placing of the sticks something went wrong, a helper to the bullfighter, called "subalterno" had the job of distracting the bulls attention from the bullfighter, who was getting his muleta ready for the faena. The bull was at the burladero next to me and hitting the burladero with his horns when "BAM" he broke his right horn. Right away one of the representatives of Julio Benitez walked over to the burladero yelling at the subalterno that it was his fault.
 

This is distracting the bull	The Bulls horn broken
Pepe Luna with a bull from Pepehillo	From El Cordobes' first bull

You see in order to keep the bulls attention you have to distract it by using your hands, or cape to attract him, though your supposed not let the bull hit the burladero for fear of anything happening to the bull, like in this case. On another bull I saw earlier, the same subalterno, kept the bull quiet by blowing into his face (I have photo of that above).

El Cordobes had a difficult task of what to do, when a bull breaks a horn it is usually sent back to the corrals and another sent out in its place, but this only occurs before the "segundo tercio", placement of banderillas. If the horn breaks after the banderillas it is too late and cannot be sent back, you have to continue with a performance or seeing that it is unfair, dispatch the animal. In this case Julio Benitez continued with his faena using the left horn most of the time with naturales, which were excellent. He did commit to some on the right side but not much, its not fair for the bull to have no weapon available, though some do take advantage of it. The rest was ok, he got on his knees and thought he was going for the frog, but some pase de pechos and an adorno and it was time to finish it up. He lost any awards on the bajonazo, the bull died choking on blood, not a sight to see but one that can be seen in a bullfight. There was some petition for an ear but not granted, not for that sword.

His second and last of the night was named "Tonito", numbered 120 and weighing 503 kilos. Just before the bull came out of toriles one of the four lights that were lit, blew out making the plaza a little darker. Julio opened with some very good veronicas, on at tablas and the rest in the medios. The one picador that took the bulls charge was thought to be thrown off but the horse withstood the charge and the pic went well. Banderilla placement was good, and Julio dedicated the bulls death to the public. He opened with some pase por altos, then began his faenas with derechazos but after awhile the bull just wasn't interested and kept stopping short in the passes. Julio kept trying hoping for something to happen, something to that he can triumph with, but to no avail, only short passes. He went for his sword and tried out some manoletinas and just couldn't get anything out of it. The bull kept moving while he was trying to set up the sword work, finally landing a three quarter sword, then a half sword, then another half sword and that was it.

So that concludes the end of the really short 2008 bullfight season in Tijuana, hopefully we see one next year. See you around.

Gerry Campos

-- Review for Aug 31 2008 --

August 31 2008 Tijuana, Baja California
Plaza Monumental – Bullring by the sea

Like I had mentioned to my mailing list, Sunday’s bullfight was going to be memorable and perhaps historic. 5 brave bulls and 1 extraordinary bull from San Mateo finished the day with the public in a standing ovation with Pepehillo and the ganadero being carried out on shoulders after an indulto of the sixth bull of the afternoon. A mixture of new and old aficionados came and perhaps saw their first of many indultos to come. 

Ismael Gomez “Mayito”

After being away from los toros for quite a long time, Mayito came back to triumph, and found nothing but applause; his first bull Residente was one of the heaviest bulls of the day at 460 kilos and with a good set of horns. Mayito began with a farol de rodillas, and some veronicas. He did placed two good sets of sticks, but hurried the change of tercio. The faena really didn’t go anywhere, his departure from the bulls showed. He did try though, but it just wasn’t there; I saw a lot of pitter patter with his feet, and he just couldn’t get it together. He placed a sword “caida”, the bull fell, and the public wanted to give him an ear, and the judge said ok. 

With his second bull, Pollero (425k), it was much of the same thing as the first bull; he did place two sets of sticks again, and hurried the change in tercio. There was practically nothing but adornos in the faena, and it was over. Light applause was given, and as he came back from getting his montera, the public asked him to take a vuelta.

Cesar Castañeda

His first bull, the second of the day, was named Morenito and weighed in at 435 kilos. His performance on this bull was that of Cesar, well rounded in all aspects of the lidia. He opened with some veronicas that were done real good, after the picadors came out he walked the bull into position with some chicuelinas. He placed three pairs of sticks real good, all in good form. His faena was good on both sides, kind of typical stuff he would do, but in all it was good. His sword work was perfect and with much petition the judge awarded an ear for his effort.

The second bull of Cesar was another of the larger bulls weighing in at 465 kilos, named Paisano. It looked as though we were going to get another good performance out of Cesar, but it just didn’t happen. He got on the bad side of the public by over pic’ing the bull. The bull went to the horse 4 times, and pic’ed with each push. The bull had what Cesar didn’t stamina, bravery, and a lot of strength. I had thought I heard Cesar say, during a brindis, that to just wait and watch. Well we watched and waiting and the only pass he could muster was a couple trincherazos and some adornos. He dispatched the bull quickly, and Cesar was booed back to the burladero, the bull was given applause by the public.

 Jose Rodriguez “Pepehillo”

Now here’s a kid who I watched grow, from a sweeper, to a helper, then training for the show. I am not sure if he was not given that much of an opportunity due to being the nephew of Mayito, some thinking that he would be of the same caliber, but he sure did show them who questioned what he can do in a suit of lights. This kid is hot, really hot right now. 

His first bull, Mojado with 460 kilos, he opened with a larga cambiada, something the public likes to see, then a nice set of veronicas. He put three pairs of sticks in great fashion, and they were all cortas! The crowd was going nuts, I saw one guy in the first row, just throwing his hands up and down in excitement. He opened the faena de muleta with a vitolina, the right side was good, and some on the left. Some manoletinas, derechazos on his knees and a good kill. He was given an ear.

His second bull, and the last of the afternoon, was probably the best of the day, named Agrarista and weighing in at 425 kilos. Again he opened with a larga cambiada, and followed with some very slow and low veronicas. After the half pic, he went on to some “what were those called” quite, actually they were called farol invertido at least that is what Giraldes called them. They were awesome to witness. He then placed three pairs of sticks, on the first ones; he threw the discarded half of the cortas to the guy who on his first bull was going nuts in the first row. He placed the second pair cortas also, and on the third pair, brought the house down with a pair al violin, but with a twist before placing them. Wow.

His faena de muleta began in the middle of the ring, another vitolina, and some very nice derechazos, he tried the left and it was perfect, he went back to the right, and again the bull was giving what Pepehillo wanted, passes. More on the right, then he lit up the public with some derechazos on his knees, ole after ole, to standing ovations. A he was returning from getting the killing sword, the crowd began to wave and chant, NO, NO, NO! Pepehillo gave the bull a few passes then set up to kill, the public screamed louder, No, No, No! He looked up at the judge and the judge waved his hand from side to side, gesturing for him to do more passes. He threw in a couple manoletinas, perfect. He set up again, the crowd screamed NO, he looked at the judge and the handkerchief came out, INDULTO.

Pepehillo was so excited that he dropped his estoque and muelta and with both arms in the air, took a vuelta around the ring, before he sent the bull back to the corrals, one of his helpers had to draw the bull back to the torile gate. As soon as the coast was clear in came the cushions, hundreds at a time, falling to the sand below. The exit was swift for the other two alternates, and Pepehillo made his way to where the bull’s owner was waiting, shook his hand, gave him a hug, thanked him and both of them took a turn of the ring on shoulders, and out to the paseillo.

Thus came to and end the 2^nd and hopefully not the last bullfight at the famous Bullring by the Sea in Playas de Tijuana. There is rumored to be a bullfight in late September, if it becomes concrete I will let you all know.

 Gerry Campos

-- Review for May 25 2008 --

Well this isn't going to be easy but here goes...

The Tijuana Bullfight season opener on May 25 2008 at Plaza Monumental was witnessed by some two thousand energetic bullfighting fans, who were wondering if there would be a season at all, the cartel included the venezolano Leonardo Benitez, the tlaxcalan Uriel Moreno "El Zapata", and from the capital Jose Mauricio with a herd from "Los Encinos".

The afternoon began with a minute of silence in honor of a bullfight judge, whose name I didn't recognize, and that of Gary Sloan, a longtime bullfight photographer and staple of the bullring itself. He was a friend amongst many, and missed by all. As the minute of silence was under way, two monosabios made there way from toriles in a vuelta with the large photo of Gary, that was taken by a good friend and fellow photographer Mark Mecalis (www.mecalisgraphics.com).

Leonardo Benitez

The first bull of the afternoon was named "Fotografo", in honor of Gary (#384 - 450K) and with a set of horns destined for stardom. Leonardo walked onto the sand to greet "fotografo" with some nice veronicas. After the pic'ing, the quite was nothing but chicuelinas that were excellent and deserved applause. Leo placed his own sticks, that were place good and accepted by the fans. He began his faena with derechazos, and then went into redondos that brought the fans to life (it was pretty quiet until then). There want too much on the left and as the end neared he went to his knees and pulled out some pases por altos en rodillas. He pinched on his first sword attempt, and the next wasn't so pretty, a bajonazo.

Benitez' second of the afternoon, "Cadete" (#405 - 450K), with some wide horns didn't do so well with this one as his first. He opened with a set of good veronicas that ended with a media. He placed his won sticks again, that were good. The faena was mostly on the left side, with the auyda as the bull was having a bit of time adjusting. A few passes on the right, then he got on his knees and made a few passes that the fans seemed to like. He placed the sword all the way in, but it worked itself out and had to settle for 3 descabellos. He received light applause, and after washing his hands came out al tercio, and gave himself a vuelta.

Uriel Moreno "El Zapata"

Zapatas first bull of the afternoon "Patero" (#77 - 485K), like his other brothers had some horns to keep your eyes on, pointed up and headed for trouble. He couldnt get anything done with the capote, I think he got off one veronica. He placed his own banderillas in great fashion, I believe he won the duel of banderillas. He opened his faena with some altos en tablas and then proceeded with some derechazos that were good, then switched to the left side and pulled out some good pases and adornos. He pinched on his sword attempt, and the next try was good. Ovacion

The second of El Zapata, "Puntillero" (#400 - 450K) a cardeno (gray) with wide horns, made his way into the ring, and was greeted with a large cambiada, some nice veronicas, and a media on his knees. The quite consisted of some chicuelinas and finished with a media. He once again placed his own banderillas and won over the crowd with two consecutive placement of sticks "al violin" (over his shoulder). He began his faena with a pase por alto in los medios. He then continued to work the right side, and then began making some adornos on his knees with his back to the bull, again winning over the fans. He placed an excellent sword, patas arriba, and was given one ear by the judge and the fans petitioned the second one which was granted.

Jose Mauricio

Jose was awaiting "Montero" (#385 - 475K) at tablas and on the second go round caught the bullfighter off guard and almost clipped him. He pulled out some fine veronicas. His Faenas were good on both side but not too exciting, a bit difficult on the left as the bull was hooking and stopping in mid pass, though he finished the faena with some scary pase por altos. A media estocada, then another, then 5 descabellos. Pitos.

The last bull of the afternoon, "Pescador" (#67 - 495K), the biggest, but also the one that got my attention. If you look at the photos you might notice that this bulls horn don't look fully developed, well yes he is 4 years old but his horns didn't look it, not with the body on him. Pescador looked to me like the offspring of the cows that are brought out to take the bull back to the corrals (I forgot the name). Nonetheless "Pescador" put on a good show. He hit the peto and kept pushing until the picadors horse just could take it, and down went the horse, and "Pescador" wanted more. Jose's quite was of tafalleras, and looked nice, that's one of the capote pases that I like, and finished with a larga. His faena was just ok, nothing great, it looked as though he didn't read the bull right, cause the bull kept wanting more, and Jose gave him what he could. There was some good moments, then he went to his knees, and made some adornos (el telefono). He continued trying to get a pass off, and did succeed on the right side, a nice trincherazo was welcomed after those kneeling passes. The public began to petition for an indulto, but Mauricio looked up to the judge and said no. His sword work was something he needed to pratice, because it just wasn't there. Saludos.

Thus the afternoon came to an end, with El Zapata being carried out en hombros (on shoulders). I went with my father, and drove into Tijuana, the thing you don't want to do on a holiday weekend, but much to my surprise, the wait to get across the border was about 50 cars! About 30-45 min. Much better than 200+ cars on any given Sunday. For the next bullfight I hear it is going to be on the 6th of July with maybe "Zotoluco".

Please note that this is my first review of a bullfight in about 10+ years, so if my writing is off, you'll know why.

Gerry Campos
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