Segunda Convencion de Aficionados Practicos (Second Convention of the Aficionados Practicos)
by Jim Verner - Mon, 2 Apr 2007 06:48:17 -0700 (PDT)

The 2nd convention of aficionados practicos in San Pedro Tlaquepaque was held in the beautiful Plaza de Toros “El Centenario” and the organizers prepared an outstanding program.

The town government lent its support “for the conservation of the Fiesta Brava and its traditions,” with the mayor, Lic. Hernan Cortes Berumen, working with the Matador Pepe Murillo and the aficionado practico Raul Ochoa Anaya to present an outstanding program.

The Convention began the evening of Friday, March 9, with presentations in the patio-restaurant next to the plaza. Antonio Santos, a reporter, spoke on “The Globalization of Bullfighting.”

Matador Miguel Angel Martinez “El Zapopan,” a torero known for his repertoire and artistry with the capote, then gave an interesting talk on “El Torero con el Capote.”

Matador Manuel Capetillo was the final speaker and he kept the large audience enthralled with stories of his life and adventures in and out of the plaza before going on to sing and recite poetry. Capetillo, who is now 81 years old, but very full of life, was also an accomplished movie star and singer, and he has now written books in prose and poetry. One of his stories was about the then empresaio of Plaza Mexico, Gaona. It seems that Gaona owed him money for several corridas and was avoiding payment. Both Gaona and Capetillo were invited to the same party with a number of celebreties and Capetillo was asked to sing. He proceeded to sing a ranchera song he composed about the money Gaona owed him. Apparently Gaona left in a huff when he heard the words, and we didn’t hear if Capetillo finally got paid.

Due to the large number of aficionados practicos who wanted to participate, there were two festivals held on Saturday, March 10, with a total of 13 novillos. The organizers obtained nine excellent novillos from Cerro Viejo, while four of the aficionados brought their own animals from various ranches.

Here is a brief report.

First festival – 1 PM: 6 novillos.

1. Ruben Perez brought a novillo from Jorge del Haro that was brave but held its head high and turned quickly. Ruben, a capable aficionado, worked to dominate the animal and was tossed for his efforts. Some good cape and muleta work but trouble with the sword. Saludos.

2. Jim Verner received his brave novillo from Cerro Viejo with a farol de rodillas and stood for veronicas. One good pic by Camote and a quite of gaoneras. Beginning the faena in los medios de rodillas, Verner then stood for a well structured faena with numerous series of naturales and derechazos, also in los medios. The faena ended with manoletinas and bernadinas. A pinchazo recibiendo and then two pinchazos a un tiempo limited the award to one ear.

3. Raul Ochoa faced another animal from Cerro Viejo and was outstanding with the capote. The novillo lost gas during the faena and Ochoa also had trouble with the sword. Ovacion and saludo al tercio.

4. Pablo Velez had one of the larger novillos from Cerro Viejo, close to 300 kg. The animal was brave but not easy, ready to go for the body of the matador if there was a false move. Jose Luis Velazquez, son of Antonio Velazquez, “El Leon de Guanajuato,” made an excellent quite of chicuelinas. Velez had numerous pinchazos and heard applause.

5. Mario Orlando also fought one of the bigger novillos from Cerro Viejo. Orlando took the bull to the horse with good style and then made a quite de oro. Excellent muleta work followed, but Mario, like the others, was not having a good day with the sword. Numerous pinchazos and attempts with the descabellos lost the ears he had earned and it ended with applause and a saludo.

6. Curro de los Reyes drew a noble novillo with limited strength from Cerro Viejo. Curro passed the animal without a pic and did outstanding work with cape and muleta. Once again, poor sword work lost awards.

2nd Festival – 5 PM: 7 novillos.

1. Miguel Casanueva met his novillo from Cerro Viejo with good cape work, continued with good muleta work, and then had trouble with the sword. Saludos al tercio.

2. Carlos Alvirde brought a good novillo from Manolo Tratado. Quick kill for one ear.

3. Pedro Pinson drew the best Cerro Viejo animal of the day and failed to give it the fight it deserved.

4. Juan Carlos Figueroa faced a good novillo from Rosas Viejas, but his work was limited to isolated details.

5. Francisco Preciado brought an animal from Bugambillas that was noblote and suelto. Muletazos of good quality. One ear.

6. Juan Carlos Alvirez had a good novillo from Cerro Viejo and did excellent work, especially with the muleta. One ear.

7. Jose Narciso Candelaria received his novillo from Cerro Viejo when it was getting quite dark. It seemed like the novillo was confused by the shadows caused by the limited lighting at the plaza. Applause.