bull fight

In the first stage, the tercio de varas ("Lances third"), the behavior of the bull is observed by the matador, and the manner in which he attacks capes thrust by the banderilleros. The matador is particularly interested to know which horn the bull prefers to use, and whether the bull charges in straight or curved lines. He will observe whether or not the bull has eyesight problems; poor vision in one eye, for example, could result in unusual head movements.

Sometimes the bull will head for a particular part of the ring: a querencia, or territory. A bull trying to reach its querencia is often more dangerous than a bull that is attacking the cape directly. The matador will note the bull's peculiarities and then decide his strategy: how long the fight will last, which passes he'll try, and how close he will get to the bull.

The matador then goes and confronts his adversary; if he performs with art and courage he will be rewarded with an ovation. This initial section is called suerte de capote ("luck of the cape"), and there are a number of fundamental "lances" or passes that matadors make with the cape; the most common being the "veronica".Next, two picadores enter the arena, each armed with a lance or varas.

The picadores are mounted on large heavily padded and blindfolded.The bull is encouraged to attack the horse which is protected by its padding and generally treats the attack with stoic patience. The way the bull charges the horse provides further important clues to the matador on which side the bull is favoring. The picador stabs a mound of muscle on the bull's neck leading to the animal's first loss of blood.