A Blog designed for discussion of topics related to, but not limited to, Circus, Zoos, Animal Training, and Animal Welfare/Husbandry. Sometimes opening up the dialog is the best starting point of all. And if for nothing else when people who agree and don't agree, get together and start discussing it, it will open up a lot of peoples minds. Debate and discussion even amongst themselves opens a window where there wasn't one before.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
For Radar
Above is a "novices" first professional appearance in the ring. Notice a difference in the bull he is fighting and the one's the great Pablo Mendoza is fighting. What's the chances a "novice" just because he has the desire, is allowed to mount a horse like Pablo is riding to "practice" fighting bulls? "Novices" aren't allowed to damage to good stock in the quest of "learning."
The ultimate in equestrian arts. We see every movement of High School[haute ecole] done in its natural setting. The horse and rider become one and both are magnifico to say the least. The bull is beautiful. What magnificant horses and the rider is "Par excellence. THis is the very best of horsemanship and can only compare the greatness of these horses with that of a well trained American "cutting horse" in demonstration. What more can I say? Its great and thanks Wade for putting it on. I heard that Count VasConcellos was won of the great matadors on horseback. His "Spainish Riding" in the circus received great acclaim. I was fartunate in meeting him and visiting in his stable. johnny
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing Wade. I can appreciate the sport for the practice and skill it takes. It's still not for me though.
ReplyDeleteI think from 4.42 to 5.20 you can see more concentration and ability from Pablo then you get from the whole video of the Matador before...
ReplyDeleteAmazing horse
Johnny,
ReplyDeletePablo has earned the nickname "The Centaur" without a doubt. You are correct, in that it is as high a caliber of horse training/riding that can be achieved. I didn't realize Count VasConcellos was a rejoneador before excelling in the circus. I know you only drop those famous names that you have known, to agitate me, Herriott. :)
Wade
Casey,
ReplyDeleteSame man, different horses. This 20 min. clip took me 3 1/2 hours to watch to it's end as I kept going, "that's crazy, you are shitting me, no way" and rewinding and watching again and again. Different horses are used for the different part's of corrida. Note the first horse is a fast, quick horse. His job is to tire the bull. Note at 8:28 the black/bay horse carrying the Hermoso iron on his hip. I have seen a horse canter side pass, but I was blown away to see one gallop side pass. At 13:36 note the buckskin, bare his teeth and pin his ears and bite the bull on the head. He was pissed at the aggressiveness of the bull and gave it back, amazing. This amazing buckskin also spends most of his time up on his toes, like a ballerina for quick acceleration. I held my breath watching him rock from his toes to his heels in anticipation. At 15:10 note the gray jump off his back feet and throw his hip to keep from being gored. That stuff defies description. Note at 16:48 when Pablo leans down, keeping his balance and give the bull a "peoples elbow." Crazy. Note at 16:59 the bull makes contact with the gray and the only thing that kept him from being gored was again the direction of Pablo and the agility of the horse. Note the "dirt mark" on the greys hip afterwards. He was grazed by the side of the horse, as the bull attempted to gut him.
If I was judging this match, I would have awarded Pablo two ears. The bull wasn't that good, and deserved death and only Pablo's skill at playing him made it worth two ears and not one. Had that been an incredible bull, surely this performance would have been worth two ears and a tail.
This is animal training on another planet, Casey.
Wade
Radar,
ReplyDeleteNow you understand why it is difficult to help folks understand the need and proper use of a bull hook. It maybe isn't for them. The other night there were 6 ar activists picketing the circus. A young 16 year old juggler who was born in the "business" wanted me to come and see. I went to the front of the tent with him, and said "this is nothing. It this was Ringling, there would be 50 protesters out there." He said, is very broken English/Spanish "I don't know why they speak this shit for the circo?" I looked him right in the eye and said, "Armando, is the circo perfect?" He blinked a couple of times, and repled, "yes, you right. Some small circo make much shit for the animals. I don't think for this before." I said, "that's why they are out there Armando, they think they are right, and they want others to think they are right also." This young man brilliantly said, "just like I want the people to think I am right, only I forget for the small circo. All circus no the same Mr. Wade." The same goes for the bull ring Radar. Was that bull in any more distress for twenty minutes then if he had been trucked to the slaughter plant and eliminated in a different manner. It's rib eyes and T bones, Radar.
Wade
I understand. Thank you.
ReplyDelete