Portuguese Bullfight "best of" photos, Thornton, CA
The bullfights get underway with an introductory ceremony in the arena at the annual Portuguese "Our Lady of Fatima" Celebration in Thorton, CA.
The tricky bull has caught and downed the the horse and Caveleiro, a very unusual circumstance. Horse and rider were uninjured, which is miraculous considering the power of the bull.
A matadore distracts the bull momentarily.
High speed still sequence: (Next 11 photos) The Forcados go for a FOURTH try of "pega de cara" with the same bull.
Famous female Cavaleira Sonia Matias works with a new bull.
Cavaleiro Luis Rouxinol reaches back to pat the head of the angry rushing bull while it's chasing him!
The Cavaleiros enter the bullfight arena on their specially trained Portuguese Lusitano horses.They are from left to right, Sario Cabral, Luis Rouxinol, and the lovely Sonia Matias.
The tricky bull has caught and downed the the horse and Caveleiro, a very unusual circumstance. Horse and rider were uninjured, which is miraculous considering the power of the bull.
Cavaleiro Luis Rouxinol places the fourth bandarilhas!
High speed still sequence: (Next 9 photos) The Forcados go for a FOURTH try of "pega de cara" with the same bull.
Cavaleira Sonia Matias is about the place the first bandarilha on this bull.
Cavaleiro Luis Rouxinol again touches the head of the running bull as it tries it's best to gore his horse and take them down!
A video of a portion of the mounted introduction of the cavaleiros in front of the Forcados and Campinos.
The tricky bull has caught and downed the the horse and Caveleiro, a very unusual circumstance. Horse and rider were uninjured, which is miraculous considering the power of the bull.
Exciting video of the first attempt of the Forcados to perform pega de cara ("face catch") with the bull. The goal is for the man in front to secure the animal's head, then be quickly aided by the other Forcados, who surround and subdue the bull with only their bare hands. As you will see, it doesn't always work according to plan.
High speed still sequence: (Next 2 photos) The Forcados got for a FOURTH try of "pega de cara" with the same bull.
Cavaleira Sonia Matias places the first bandarilha.
The bull has caught the horse and unseated the Caveleiro! This bull drew the very experienced Caveleiro in closer and closer by appearing uninterested in chasing the horse, then he suddenly sprang into action and bowled the Caveleiro and horse over! A scary moment, but neither horse nor Caveleiro was injured. This entire photo sequence was shot within a 2 second time span.
Back with a different Lusitano, Cavaleiro Luis Rouxinol skillfully places the first velcro-tipped bandarilha (javellin) on the bull's square of velcro. The bull is not hurt or penetrated by the bandarilha, but he still doesn't like it!
High speed still sequence: (Next 15 photos) These guys don't give up, no matter how dangerous it is or how bloody they get. The Forcados go for a FOURTH try of "pega de cara" with the same bull. The bull wins again!
A 200 frame per second slow-motion video of the Forcados FIFTH try of "pega de cara" with the same bull. This time they get him! The next two still photos are of the same successful attempt.
Cavaleiro Sario Cabral places another bandarilha.
The tricky bull has caught and downed the the horse and Caveleiro, a very unusual circumstance. Horse and rider were uninjured, which is miraculous considering the power of the bull.
Cavaleiro Luis Rouxinol places a second bandarilha (javellin) on the bull that took him and his horse down earlier.
High speed still sequence: (Next 12 photos) The Forcados go for a FOURTH try of "pega de cara" with the same bull.
Look at the bloody shirt of the lead man right in the center. He's happy, but he's hurting.
Luis Rouxinol gets excited as he places another bandarilha.