The Entertaining Bull

The scene in the arena of the Mexican Rodeo at the Western Stock show was two bullfighters and one bull.

The bullfighters were dressed in the form fitting matador outfits. One bull fighter was in yellow with black embroidered top while the other was in gold. They both had pink knee high socks and black slipper-like shoes. The bull was black! Both fighters carried magenta capes that they used to tease the bull. The outfit worn by the bull fighters is called Traje de Luces. (Outfit of lights.)

From what I have read, the bull picked to be in the arena has never faced a human being and he needs to be aggressive, energetic, strong, with stamina and intelligence. The bull did everything I have seen them do; lowered head, pawed at the ground, stared at the bull fighter, and charged at the cape. Pass after pass made everyone yell "Ole" every time the bull missed the bull fighter. Since this was not a regular bloody bull fight but a teaching fight, explanations were given as to what the bull and bull fighter were doing. When the show was over the bull fighters went to the edge of the arena and waited for the bull to go into the chute.

That is when the show began! The bull refused to enter the chute. One cowboy waved his hat in front of the bull and the bull snared the hat and threw it on the ground. Another cowboy kept moving a long rag to get the bull's attention but the bull turned around and eyed the bull fighters leaning against the wall. I noticed they did not make a move but stood quietly and I suppose their wish was that the bull would turn and run into the chute. If the bull charged, they did not have any place to hide.  A lot of snorting from the bull as he went after some of the cowboys standing near the gates. This sent the men scrambling up the side of the fence. Finally, the bull was enticed to enter the chute and right before the gate swung shut, the bull reared back and he was back in the arena. He pawed at the hat and rag while looking around. One cowboy was trying to lasso the bull but the bull shook the rope off. It became a comical scene and everyone was laughing and cheering for the bull! Twice it would enter the chute and then come backing out again. The clowns were no help other than standing around watching to see what the bull would do next. When the bull was partially in the chute, three men slammed the gate on the bull's haunches and somehow got the gate locked. I could see the gate shaking as it was hit from the inside, but it held. The bull continued banging against the sides of the chute until there was silence and the show continued!

That bull loved to entertain and I kept thinking, what a ham!