Events
Manuel Costa Bulls Highlight of Mexican Corrida
by Jim Verner
The corrida held in Mexicali s Plaza Calafia on December 14 featured four modest matadors facing large bulls from the California ganaderia of Manuel Costa. The cold weather and overcast skies contributed to a small crowd, but those aficionados who did attend witnessed impressive bulls with more trapio and sharp-tipped horns than is normally seen in Mexican plazas. Rather than performing for a fee, the matadors competed for the prize of forty thousand pesos that would be awarded to the triunfador.
Ismael Gó mez "Mayito" opened with the largest bull, a beautiful 531 kg castaño that was brave with the picador and charged with good style. While the matador sought to please, even placing his own banderillas and had a few good moments with both capote and muleta, most of his work showed Mayito s inability to dominate the bull. The bull finally fell after poor work with the sword and descabello. While there was scattered applause, probably in recognition of Mayito s history in this plaza rather than his performance, boos and whistles dominated.
Enrique Garza faced a 498 kg cardeño that began with an erratic charge, but settled down after two hard pics to charge smoothly with the muleta. Garza appeared cautious based on the initial style of the animal and failed to grasp the opportunity when the bull improved. The bull deserved more than the couple of decent series of muletazos that Garza managed during the faena. Dropping the bull with one sword, Garza heard applause.
Ló pez Rivera s bull, a 484 kg black with a wide set of needle-sharp horns, was received with two largas cambiadas de rodillas next to the barrera. The matador then stood for decent veronicas and after the pic made a quite of chicuelinas. This bull was brave and needed a matador that understood the need to cross into the bull s terrain. There was a moment when Ló pez Rivera rose to the occasion and made some good derechazos and naturals, but during most of the faena the matador seemed intimidated by the animal s horns and failed to cross into the bull s terrains. After a good sword there was strong petition for the ear that was awarded.
Ismael Rodrí guez ended the day with a 519 kg noble and smooth charging cardeño. The matador managed a respectable performance, but didn t rise to the opportunity offered by such a smooth charging bull. A decent sword was followed by a strong petition, and the ear was awarded.
Since two matadors cut one ear, the judge attempted to determine the winner based on applause. In spite of the cold, the sparse crowd enthusiastically clapped for both so it was declared a tie a just end to a day that was more about impressive bulls than artistic bullfighters.
