TOROS IN ALMERIA 2005
Ric Polansky ©
Once again the circuit of Toros and Torreros has returned to the capital city of Almeria bringing to it’s “no named Plaza” the best Corridas de Toros in el mundo.
Domingo 21 de agosto. Novillos de José Miguel Arroyo y Martín Arranz
para Torres Jerez, Julio Benítez "El Cordobés" y Cayetano.
These bulls are from the orphaned Madrid Torero Joselito and are appearing for the first time in a major arena. Novilladas, are held for young aspiring Toreros, I rarely ever go to. But this one, should prove to be the best ever held in Almeria. The young heart-throb of all the teeny boppers Julio Benitez, son of the great and famed El Cordobes, the beetle bullfighter of the 60s, continues his sky rocket success. He is accompanied by one of Almeria’s young aspiring youths, Torres Jerez and none other than Cayetano, the brother of renown torero Francisco Rivera Ordoñez. Cayetano was named after his great grandfather from the Ordonez dynasty of Toreros from the town of Ronda. Meaning that he makes the passes in a more upright manner, never moving nor flinching, very serious and no frills. I am told that he is the most exciting Torero to see this year. Somehow he has piqued the imagination of the true aficionados and wherever he performs people come to critic him even as a novillero, as they once did to El Cordobes.
Lunes 22 de agosto. Toros de Victorino Martín
para Pepín Liria, Miguel Abellán El Cid.
Toro Day! Everybody will be coming to see these special bulls. These are without a doubt, the most famous toros in all of Spain and have never been in Almeria. They are big and look like what bulls should. Facing them will be the Conquistador of Sevilla and Madrid-- El Cid. His style is simple, and even though he is a Sevillano, he fights very much in the Ronda style, with few tricks and true bravado. Joining him is Muricano, Pepin Liria, famed for his “cambio largos” which he performs on his knees whipping the cape in front of him in such a fashion that the bull actually leaps over him. A damn good opening pass. Pepin is very valiant and will bring you to your feet. Always good value and a 10 handicapper in golf! Miguel Abellan is out of sync this year. He must have friends in high places to be in Almeria, but has never impressed me.
Martes 23 de agosto. Toros de El Ventorrillo
para Rivera Ordóñez, El Juli y Eduardo Gallo.
The brother of Cayetano, Rivera Ordonez, fights. Handsome Francisco Rivera Ordonez was once married to the ugliest woman in all of Spain and yet one of richest and most titled. For some reason the marriage didn’t last and he is free again-- so is followed by screaming hordes of girls. Also listed as performing is the youthful veteran Julian Lopez, ( El Juli) who finally was allowed to work as a matador at the age of 18 in Spain. (He had become a total star in Mexico where there are no limitations on age for being in the ring with a full grown bull). El Juli became the No:1 attraction for two straight years. He enjoys making new and not often seen passes so therefore has led the vanguard in the revitalization of cape work. Eduardo Gallo is the son of a Matador of the 80s who never did much, and I don’t expect much from his son either.
Miércoles 24 de agosto. Toros de Santiago Domecq
para César Rincón, Salvador Vega y Torres Jerez que toma la alternativa.
Cesar Rincon is the first foreign matador (Columbian) in decades to capture the popular fascination of the very critical Toro publico. He is the only Torero to ever be carried out of Madrid’s cathedral of Toros—Las Ventas, on the shoulders of adoring fans four times in one year. Not even Manolete managed that. Salvador Vega is a young Torero, very gutsy with lots of tricks. Torres Jerez, who you will remember performed earlier as a novillero, takes his doctorate and becomes a fully fledged torero.
Jueves 25 de agosto. Toros de Los Espartales
para rejones y Zalduendo para lidia a pie
para Pablo Hermoso de Mendoza, Enrique Ponce y Ruiz Manuel.
This is probably the best fight for the true Aficionado and the not too discerning spectator. A Torero on horseback, the celebrated Pablo Hermoso de Mendoza, will be showing breathtaking stunts on horses almost worth their weight in gold. (It still looks like circus stuff to me). But the programme all must come to see is the mano a mano and the legendary Zalduendo bulls, who captured the title “best bull of the year in Almeria” for the last four years. They will face the all time greatest Torero, Enrique Ponce. Before Enrique became a full matador, only 9 Toreros had ever fought more than 100 times in a season. Enrique did it himself 8 years running. He is always good value. If he has a bad bull you are guaranteed he will make up for it completely on the second bull. An honest, straightforward Torero. He has pardoned more bulls than any other living matador. His counter part is Almeria’s movie star Torero, Ruiz Manuel. Ruiz’s exhibition will either be murder by the bull or him committing suicide in taking the stage. He has only been in the ring once this year, (and as I was there I can tell you he was frightened). Now he is attempting a gutsy comeback in his home town in front of his adoring fans—risking it all. It is truly impossible for him to be prepared for this corrida. I fear the worst.
Viernes 26 de agosto. Toros de El Torero
para El Fandi, Matías Tejela y Miguel Angel Perera.
Everybody will be coming to see the marvellous David Fandilla who puts banderillas into a rampant ferocious bull while casually running backwards. If you have never been to a Corrida de Toros this is the guy to come and see. He is absolutely magnificent and from the second he steps into the ring IT IS SHOWTIME! Matias Tejeda is from Madrid and is one of the rising stars. He isn’t afraid of big bulls and can be very eloquent. Matias could do something spectacular. Miguel Angel Perera is a newcomer.
Sábado 27 de agosto. Toros de San Martín
para Finito de Córdoba, Morante de la Puebla y José María Manzanares hijo.
This is supposed to be the day of the Artists. Finito de Cordoba, who rarely is good more than three kms from Cordoba will attempt to finally do something in Almeria. He will be easily shown up by the very talented Morante de la Puebla from Sevilla who has a repertoire of long and graceful veronicas and short but poignant passes with the muleta. Also on the billing is Jose Maria Manzanares, the son of one of the truly artistic torero’s by the same name. The son is never any good.
Remember, Almeria has a traditional “picnic” following the third bull in which everyone stops and shares sandwiches, sweet cakes and plenty of wine and beer. Come prepared to share and meet knew friends. If you “do it right” the next day you won’t remember you “did it”.
