The rejones celebration that opened the San Juan fair in 2022 began with unusually warm weather. In the recent bullfights, the idea of placing burgundy skirts before the second volley arose. It would be prudent to adjust this decision, and it’s fortunate these skirts were unveiled just yesterday so they do not block the view for attendees entering the area. Demonstrating national pride should be handled with care, especially when the flag is displayed, as seen in these days of reddish-brown fabrics that calm rather than disturb. To counter any questionable taste, two depictions of the Holy Face appeared, both at the buffets and near the Presidency. The crowd seemed to take the gathering seriously in the bulls, a sign of unity and tradition in a shared spectacle. good good…
Start on the shoulders of Hermoso de Mendoza and Andy Cartagena in the first bullfight of the fair. | MATHIAS SEGARRA
Coming to meet the fans of his country this year, which marks the 25th anniversary of alternative horse riding, he opened the fair with bold staging in the magnificent arena, featuring the performance of rejoneador Andy Cartagena. The two ears granted in the first round reflected generosity, though some voices noted mistranslations and less fervor. He concluded Fermín Bohórquez’s horned nobleman with a precise rejonazo. He wrapped up Sparrow with a sharp spear, finishing fourth with a solid display. Cartagena, unmatched in beauty with a mother-of-pearl mount and a wind-swept mane, displayed finesse in three delicate banderillas and solidified it with two graceful flippers. He secured third place with Cupid, always moving with purpose along the line. A two-handed pass with precision and a removed tip on Jinocente impressed the crowd. Picasso was greeted with a back shot that proved highly effective, earning two ears with a tail request. In contrast, the prize for the first round appeared exaggerated, a point noted by many observers. Bohórquez’s foreman joined the triumphant return of the Ring for a final bow.
Hermoso de Mendoza delivered a standout performance, cutting off both ears of the sixth bull.
Before Lea Vicens, the mood leaned toward resilience over triumph. Even so, the moment would have been remarkable for the crowd if not for a puncture, a half-back blow, and a sequence of three essences. A round of applause followed the greeting. Fifth, a good collaborator met him on Guitar with two strokes. Some missteps with Diluvio gave way to a few strong passes before over-adjusting. In Aladín, the misfits returned, and with Jazmín, two shorter passes hit their mark. A cucumber was playfully used in a way that raised eyebrows. Absolute baldness. Ear.
Guillermo Hermoso de Mendoza’s first fight did not make much history either. He concluded with a hole, a rejonazo, and two scalps. Silence fell. With Martincho, he took the sixth with a single spear. In Illusion he delivered banderillas with a touch of dissonance and a notable elegance. Some efforts unfolded with uneven results, but the overall sequence built toward a dramatic two-handed pairing and an effective death rejonazo, which led to a double trophy moment and a sense of overkill in the finale.
Note: This rewrite preserves the original structure while updating language for clarity and flow. The narrative presents the fair as a living event with performances, staging choices, and crowd reactions, keeping a 3rd person perspective throughout while aligning with contemporary sensibilities and terminology.