Artesia Bloodless Bullfight May 2009

Proofs of this Portuguese non-lethal bullfight. A wide selection for the folks who didn't get to go, including into the night where my flash recycle time was so slow I didn't shoot much. Cavaleiros were Alberto Conde and Miguel Duarte of Portugal. Horses supplied by Ranch Cardoso. Two squads of Forcados, Aposento de Turlock and the SoCal Forcados. Bulls from Candido Costa. I don't know the two matadors' names. It was a glorious evening, despite the appearance of an "Animal Control" officer who delayed the performance by inspecting every single Velcro-tipped lance! Actually he turns out to be from "Animal Cruelty Investigations" of Acton, CA. They faked a video and submitted it to at least one TV station, NBC, claiming the event was stopped after the first bull and that 3" spikes were under the Velcro loop. Shame on you, why don't you go back to investigating farm animal abuse? View as "all thumbs" style to skip around the gallery faster.