February 11, 2000
Bullfight World...
by Lyn Sherwood
Spanish Rejoneador Pablo Hermoso de Mendoza wrote history, last Saturday (Feb. 5), during the corrida that celebrated the 54th anniversary of the world's largest plaza de toros.
Some 45,000 spectators saw Hermoso, of Navarra, Spain, cut only the second tail ever awarded to a rejoneador in La Plaza Mexico. The first was awarded to Carlos Arruza, in 1966.
Hermoso de Mendoza alternated with matadores, Jorge Gutierrez, Enrique Ponce, and Ignacio Garibay, facing a herd of bulls from Teófilo Gómez.
With his first bull, Escogido, at 510 kilos, the rejoneador placed rejones and banderillas, but the rejón of death provided a tardy demise for Escogido, and Hermoso was limited to applause.
But, with his second bull, the 525-kilo Preferido, the rejoneador registered an enormous triumph, demonstrating excellent technical details, as well as a brand of artisty that was rewarded with constant applause and music. The rejón of death was perfect. The petition for the tail was unanimous, and the rejoneador, accompanied by his magnificent horses, took a triumphant turn of the ring.
The very senior sword Jorge Gutierrez registered, perhaps, his worst day ever in La Plaza Mexico. With neither cape or muleta was the Hidalguese, who received his alternativa in 1978, able to accomplish anything of note. He was soundly booed.
Spanish ace Enrique Ponce turned in a wonderful performance with his first bull —perhaps his best, ever, in La Mexico— and may well have won ears and tail, had he not encountered difficulties with the sword. His second bull was a dull creature, which wouldn't allow the matador from Valencia to demonstrate his great talents.
Ignacio Garibay had difficulties with his first bull, but nevertheless performed well enough to win an ear. With his second toro, which gave him a violent tossing, Garibay was applauded for his willingness.
The following day, Sunday, in the last corrida of the season in the big plaza, Mexican Matador Eulalio López "El Zotoluco" and Spanish ace Manuel Caballero performed in a mano-a-mano, facing a decent herd of bulls from Xajay.
Caballero was the triunfador, winning three ears, bringing his Plaza Mexico season total to six ears. He won a pair from his first bull and a singular appendage from his second, and left the plaza upon the shoulders of the fans.
El Zotoluco performed well with cape and muleta, but encountered difficulties with the sword and settled for applause.
A terrible afternoon was recorded in Bogotá, Colombia, Feb. 6, due to a disgraceful herd of bulls from Ernesto Gutierrez Arango. All of the bulls, some of which were merely novillos, were booed at the dragouts. All of the matadores—Juan Mora, Pepe Manrique, and Miguel Abellán, who confirmed his alternativa, were afforded silence for their efforts. The presentation resulted in a huge crowd protest against the empresa.
The Spanish Supreme Court has ruled that Manuel Diaz, who claims to be the illegitimate son of Manuel Benitez, is the only torero who has the right to claim the sobriquet of "El Cordobes."
The ruling came as the result of a long-standing lawsuit by Benitez. The court ruled that as Benitez had retired and had not used the title, El Cordobes, he lost the right to the exclusive use of same.
This coming Sunday, in Bogotá, in the fourth corrida of the season, bulls of Guachicono will be faced by El Juli, Miguel Abellan, and Paquito Perlaza, the latter of whom will confirm his alternativa.
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