American vs. Spanish Bullfighters

Mason Dehmlow

When people think of bullfighting, most people think Spanish bullfighters. What most people know is that there is another kind of bullfighter. The American rodeo bullfighter. The main difference between the two is that American bullfighters save lives and Spanish bull fighters kill bulls.

American and Spanish bullfighting are two very different sports. Spanish bullfighting is a sport in which an adult male enters an arena with a bull. The fighters has a big red or pink sheet to attract the bull. The bull charges at the sheet runs through it. When the bull charges, the bullfighter stabs a spear into the spine of the bull. He does this until the bull dies. The is is a very bloody event that people pay money to go and watch.

American bullfighting is very different. An American bullfighting is a very dangerous and testing job. An American bullfighter is in an arena at a rodeo. During the event of bull riding during the rodeo, the bullfighters’ main job is to read the actions of the rider and the bull. They have to be smart and be able to make split-second decisions. When the rider falls off the bull, the bullfighters rush in. Since American bullfighters work in teams of two to three guys, they each have a separate job. The main purpose of the bullfighters is to protect the cowboy that fell off the bull. So one fighter will rush in and literally put himself between the bull and the cowboy. Sometimes the fighters have to actually grab the bull by his horns to protect the cowboy. Sometimes the spurs that the cowboys wear get caught in the rope that is used as a handle for the cowboy to hold while riding the bull. In this situation, two of the bullfighter will try and keep the bull bucking in a straight line while the other bullfighter puts himself on the bull and attempts to free up the spur that has gotten stuck.

Spanish bull fighters also wear very different clothes. The Spanish bullfighters wear clothes that show great wealth and power. The pants, jacket, and shirt are usually gold and red in color. They are sometimes also gold and black or gold and pink.

American bullfighters usually wear some kind of shirt, a cowboy hat, and pants with a pair of cutoff, baggy jeans with overalls. Pro bullfighters have a specific pair of shirts and pants for bullfighting. Some bullfighters also wear face paint. Only rarely will you see a bullfighter with face paint though. If you saw an American bullfighter you would probably think that he looks pretty silly. But, there is nothing silly about their job.

When an American bullfighter steps into the arena, he knows that his life could end at any second. They lay down their life for cowboys, that is their job and they are very willing to give themselves for others.

Spanish and American bullfighting are very dangerous events. Spanish bullfighters don’t wear any type of protective gear. The American bullfighters wear protective vests, shorts, and sometimes even shinguards.

Spanish and American bullfighting are outstanding events. American bullfighters save countless lives, Spanish bullfighters just kill bulls.