FACT OF THE DAY Choosing your corrida at the feria: everyone has their own tastes, but tastes for everyone

The Pentecost Feria in Nîmes certainly takes place in the streets but it begins, above all, in the arenas. It is in this two-thousand-year-old amphitheater that eight shows (including the Camargue race last night) are taking place for this 2022 edition.

Some bet among themselves on the future of such and such a race, others have secretly noted the toros observed at the corrales to say, when the time comes, their favorites when some talk about their genes, the age of their iron or the know-how of the breeder. That’s for bulls. Naturally, the same goes for pedestrians! Who has never thought that so and so would undoubtedly triumph and that we should not miss this outing at hombros? Who hasn’t been a “fan” of a maestro? The feria, in the arenas, is also that.

Driven by aficion and its moral foundation, bullfighting still exists. On this first day of Spanish tradition, let’s take a look at the forces present and the shows to see. Everything that follows is subjective, so do not see it as obscurantism but rather a simple selection supported by the words of your servant-switcher.

This Friday is perhaps the late for which the bulls are best presented. Let’s go over the graphics of the iron of the breeding of El Parralejo, a bit saucy, but let’s not forget to talk about these bulls. Created in 2007 and having made its presentation in Madrid in 2015, this ganaderia with Domecq origins via Jandilla is made for the success of bullfighters while keeping wood on the heads of bullfighters. This iron will also be presented in France. To face these native bulls from Huelva, Curro Diaz, Juan Leal and El Rafi. The first, from Linares, is a goldsmith of the toreo. Pure and slender lines, round and very natural curves. The other two, the young wolves, both French, will fight in another register. The Arlesian Juan Leal puts himself in the horns and develops a bullfight of domination. The Rafi places his intentions for the moment between his two companions. A race to see. Really and without chauvinism.

Let’s move quickly on the Portuguese bullfight of the evening with João Moura Caetano, Marcos Tenorio Bastinhas, Léa Vicens and Juan Manuel Munera who will have to parade in front of the bulls of Irmãos Moura Caetano. Two positive points to go to the race. On the one hand, the presence of the forcados (troup of brave people who stop the toro by clinging to its horns in order to immobilize it and make it return to the toril), on the other hand, it has been over 20 years since it there had been no Portuguese bullfighting in the arenas at night!

On Saturday, corrida by Garcia Jimenez. Bulls from Salamanca, but bloodlines dominated by Domecq via Jandilla as was the case for Friday’s bullfight. Facing them, Jose Maria Manzares. From Alicante, his family lineage did not prevent him from being known and recognized for his own talent. He has nothing more to prove and he likes to triumph in the city of the Antonins. At his side, another strong bullfighter. Andrés Roca Rey took his alternative here, in our arenas, but he rarely triumphs there, it’s time for things to change and for him to capsize the drunken boat. Two years older than this last bullfighter, Alejandro Marcos will still be the third of the cartel. He presented himself in Nîmes and, as tradition dictates, he confirmed his doctorate for the occasion. We don’t know much about him but it’s an excellent reason to come and see him, because last year he cut off an average of two ears per bullfight.

It is from Sunday that the aficion will absorb races per day. In the morning, the novillada of the Cape of Gold of the peña Antonio Ordoñez. A bullfight with not four-year-old bullfighters, but three-year-old bullfighters whose apprenticeship continues. First, head of lidia, Solalito, a Nîmes who knows the place and the stakes that go with it. Solal is a good bullfighter and he will be keen to do his best in front of his audience. Alvaro Burdiel, let’s face it, is a Sevillian who started last year in the category and about whom we know almost nothing, he comes to Nîmes and has toreed ten novilladas. The chef’s surprise is the presence of Lalo de Maria. A young man (a native of Montpellier did not blame him) who has a great history with the arenas of Nîmes. Judge only his toreo at the end of his career, not his parents, not his youth. He has things to show you and he intends to show them to you from all angles. The Cape d’Or novillada is always a good time for fans. Things are happening there, young people want to show themselves in the best light and Roland Durand’s novillos, if they come out like last year, will contribute to the show.

For the late, the bullfight will be artistic. Already, thanks to the toros of Jandilla who ensure the quality of the necessary and carefully selected cattle. Why these toros this Sunday? For their regularity, their homogeneity, their nobility and their way of cooperating with the bullfighters. Morante de la Puebla will also be the lidia leader of this race for the stars. It leaves no one indifferent but only rarely opens the great doors of the first category arenas. Some will say that a pass from their favorite is enough to quench their thirst for slow bullfighting. In any case, it has been six years since he came to Nîmes! Juan Ortega took a long time to get out of the rut but for two years he has been showing aficion a way of bullying that pleases. A dose of measured verticality, a hint of a rounded belt and a vision of the temple all its own. Finally, Pablo Aguado has his small fan club in Nîmes and in the south. Aguado has not come to Nîmes since the start of the Covid crisis, he misses the feria sensations and he thinks that the Sevillan would be the replacement that the Morantists have been waiting for a long time…

Last day of feria and final morning. As always, make way for the horses. Equestrian bullfighting has its audience, an audience that is generally not that of a classic bullfight. Here, the spectator will come to see dressage and can forget the foundation of this equestrian art. The toro comes out pointless and without much danger for the mounts. This is also why we see during this kind of show a real artistic arms race. Sometimes, too, the audience would do well to watch carefully what centaurs do and how they do it! In short. The great dynasty of Hermoso de Mendoza will be reunited with father Pablo in chief of lidia and the young Guillermo to close the march. Lea Vicens, from Nîmes and recently released in triumph from the arenas of Madrid, completes the cartel. Beautiful cavalries, different bullfights so little chance of getting bored.

Closing of the feria with a Champagne corrida! Here too, the quality and regularity of the cattle should ensure the good performance of this final race. Those of Victoriano del Rio are children of the blood of Juan Pedro Domecq y Díez. They indulge in the muletas of the bullfighters and keep an attractive mobility while often having strength on the horse. Facing them, the darling of Nîmes, El Juli. Yes, he took his alternative here a long time ago. Yes, he is open to criticism on many aspects of his bullfighting but seems to be returning to a purity that we greatly prefer to him. The Juli remains the Juli, an enthusiast, a real maestro who knows everything about bulls. Don’t worry, he won’t fail. Alejandro Talavante is also in good shape since his return to business. His bullfighting is recognizable among the others, his sense of rhythm too, his sweetness in bullfighting gives him effective gestures and a sought-after serenity. For his presentation and therefore his confirmation of alternative, Tomas Rufo will be the detonator of the closing bullfight. He was born a year after the Juli took his alternative in the arenas of Nîmes. Even if the number of bullfights tored by him in 2021 is not crazy, two, he still managed to cut the trifle of eight ears and a tail!

Out of order, but let’s take a chance… No, there’s no way to get there, so come as often as possible. In any case and you will have understood it, except for aficionados to the bulls, the pure of the pure, everyone will find their account. If you like horses, opt for the Portuguese at night or more simply the bullfight of rejon on Monday morning. If you like the battle without falling into excess, choose the corrida on Thursday, or that on Monday evening. If you appreciate art from all angles, prefer Saturday or Sunday afternoon races. And if you want to help the bullfighting of tomorrow, come to the novillada because you are also needed here!