El Primer Tercio:

La suerte de Picadores - The bull is evaluated, and then subjected to the first round of “preparation” for the final showdown.

The challenger enters the ring, frightened by all the spectators, and ready to defend himself.

The “junior matadores” test the bull, as the senior matador studies his opponent’s moves and habits.

For this stage, the large cape is used, to train the bull to attack the cape rather than the one waving it.

The picadores will begin to weaken the bull’s mighty neck muscles, to give the matador a fighting chance when he faces the bull alone.

The horses wear protective gear, because the bull takes all of this extremely seriously.

As indicated by the angle of the horse, the bull is pushing rather hard.

The apprentice matadores approach as the bull gets his horns and extremely powerful neck under the horse. If necessary, they will distract the bull while the picador and horse escape.

The picador probes the bull’s neck muscles with his metal lance. The bull does not take this sitting down.

Notice the speed of the bull, as indicated by the dust trail.

The bull’s neck muscles indicate the piercing created by the picador.

Would you stand there, waving a piece of cloth, while 1800 pounds of angry bull runs toward you?

Here’s a junior matador showing off his moves for the crowd.

As in a rodeo, when one of the players goes down, the “clowns” distract the bull until he can get to safety.