After the professional matadors tested each cow at the tienta at Hacienda Tenexac, less experienced matadors were given a chance to cape the cows.
Here is Omar Gonzalez, from Mexico City, facing his first live animal in a ring. He made a number of quality passes, such as these two, with both feet firmly on the ground.
Another picture of Omar, at Hacienda Tenexac.
Omar Gonzalez is a personable young man from Mexico City who became interested in bullfighting via the charreada (Mexican rodeo) which his family is involved in.
He came to Hacienda Tenexac, near Tlaxcala, Mexico, to face his first live animals, during a tienta, or testing of the cows.
It is believed that fighting bulls receive their bravery from their mothers. Therefore, before a cow is allowed to breed to produce fighting bulls, she is tested for bravery in an event much like a bullfight, held in the ranch's own bullring. The breeder judges how the young cow charges the cape, and especially, how she charges the picador. For every ten tested, they keep approximately two.
I was very fortunate to be invited to a recent tienta by my friends at the Hacienda Tenexac.
Here, Omar practices his capework atop the walls of the bullring at the hacienda.