After four decades, bullfighting returns to Las Vegas
For the first time since 1965, bullfighting is returning to Las Vegas in commemoration of Mexican Independence Day.
Courtesy of Don Bull Productions, South Point Equestrian and Event Center will host the bullfights of Fiestas Patrias on September 12–15. The festivities will continue with four more days of pageantry with the Bullfighting Las Vegas matches, from September 27–30. All will be bloodless bullfights.
At the inaugural Fiestas Patrias in South Point's arena, spectators can witness the best toreros (bullfighters, or toreadors) around the globe using specially designed adhesive Velcro pads on the ends of their traditional banderillas and rejones and steel harpoons that lack piercing elements. In this manner, competitors keep both the toros (bulls) and the excitement and skill of traditional bullfighting alive. Toreadors will also start out using the traditional cape.
According to South Point owner Michael Gaughan, all the bulls — frisky 4- and 5-year-olds — were bred for bullfighting in northern California. After being used once in Mexican-style bullfighting, they're sent to American rodeos.
“Bullfighters are like painters, composers, poets and artists,” said Pedro Haces Barba through an interpreter. “They have to show their art. The Velcro system makes it much more dangerous for the torero. But they are here to risk it all.”
There will also be horseback-riding bullfighting in which three to four bullfighters on horseback duel a single bull. They fight the bull one at a time; that means that those taking on the bull second and third face the most peril, as the bull becomes used to its surroundings by that time and performs better.
“The object of bloodless bullfighting is that the bull will not be mistreated,” explained Haces. “The use of the Velcro pads simulates what happens in traditional bullfighting so we won’t lose the essence of the celebration. And since the bull doesn’t die and we won’t have tails or ears, the judges will qualify the competition with a point system. We will have a set of rules for Las Vegas.”
"At the end of the event, the matadors will have a flower instead of a sword,” he adds. “They will be saying to the world, ‘'Let’s not hurt the bull; let’s put a flower on the bull.' It’s a different vision in the world of bullfighting.”
Fiestas Patrias will feature some of the world's most famous bullfighters, including Eulalio “El Zotoluco” López and Alejandro Amaya, both of Mexico, and Julio “El Cordobés” Benítez of Spain.
Posted by Bobbie Katz
