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The kettledrums sound

  • El paseillo(short walk): it opens the bullfight. Previously, the algualcilillos have cleared the ring and they have made sure that it is empty. This is due to the fact that traditionally the bullfights were carried out in public places and it was necessary to move away the public for safety.

    The order of the paseillo is the following:

    It opens the bullfight..
    • Alguacilillos (on horse back) The two alguacilillos are the first characters that enter the square. They ride towards the box and receive the order for the show to begin.
    They return toward the cuadrillas (gangs) and precede them in the paseíllo. Then they pick up the key to the bullpens. They also give the trophies to the bullfighters.
  • Los espadas (sword masters or matadors),ride out in order of antiquity from right to left. When a matador is presented for the first time in the ring he carries his montera in his hand as a gesture of respect.
  • Cuadrillas (team of bullfighters) of the matadors (in the same order)
  • Picadores of the matadors (in the same order)
  • Monosabios (assistants) and personnel of the square

  • The kettledrums sound: The kettledrums mark the so called changes of third, each one of the three stages - varas, banderillas, death- in which the bullfight is divided. One of the monosabios goes out to the center of the ring with a poster in which the name, weight and cattle raising farm of the bull that is going to fight are presented. The bull can have a natural exit (to the left), contrary (to the right), or it may exit on a straight line.
  • In general, the bull is received by a bullfighter's assistant, although sometimes, for further spectacularity, it is the matador himself who receives the bull. The bull entries with veronicas are famous, finished off with medias verónicas, recortes o revoleras. Other times the bull is received with a larga cambiada or with a farol de rodillas, either in puerta gayola or in the medios (center).
  • Here is when the toreo del capote is done. Generally done with the two arms, either in artistic passes or in passes of brega (those passes that imply running at the bull, placing it or putting him in disposition for the next third).
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