Roberto Armendariz, 33, Spanish 'rejoneador' or mounted bullfighter, enters the bullring for a horseback bullfight at San Fermin Fiestas, northern Spain. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) 
Culture

A special photo essay: Skilled art form or blood and gore? Fear, glory for Spain's mounted bullfighters

A special photo essay: Skilled art form or blood and gore? Fear, glory for Spain's mounted bullfighters.

Jaideep Sen
Roberto Armendariz, 33, Spanish 'rejoneador' or mounted bullfighter, waves at the end of his performance at a horseback bullfight at San Fermin Fiestas, northern Spain. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Roberto Armendariz at his ranch in northern Spain. Those who love bullfighting consider it a skilled art form, others see it as a cruel, bloody crime for entertainment. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Roberto Armendariz, 33, Spanish 'rejoneador' or mounted bullfighter, reacts during a horseback bullfight at San Fermin Fiestas, northern Spain. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Roberto Armendariz, 33, Spanish 'rejoneador' or mounted bullfighter, rides his horse at a horseback bullfight at San Fermin Fiestas, northern Spain. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Roberto Armendariz, 33, Spanish 'rejoneador' or mounted bullfighter at his ranch in Noain, northern Spain. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Two horses belonging to Roberto Armendariz are seen inside a stable, at his ranch in Noain, northern Spain. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Roberto Armendariz's assistance Miguel, prepares a fake bull to take part in a training at a ranch in Noain, northern Spain. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Roberto Armendariz, 33, Spanish 'rejoneador' or mounted bullfighter, poses with one of his horses known as Heroi, at his ranch in Noain, northern Spain. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Roberto Armendariz rides his horse Diamante at his ranch in Noain, northern Spain. Of all bullfighting traditions, the horse mounted 'rejoneo' is perhaps least understood. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
A horse known as Diamante' that belonged to Roberto Armendariz stands inside a stable, at his ranch in Noain, northern Spain. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Roberto Armendariz pets one his horses inside a stable, at his ranch in Noain, northern Spain. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Roberto Armendariz drinks water while his assistants, Leyre Gonzalez and Jose Aguirre prepare a horse for training at his ranch in Noain, northern Spain. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Roberto Armendariz, 33, Spanish 'rejoneador' or mounted bullfighter, poses with one of his horses known as Heroi, at his ranch in Noain, northern Spain. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Roberto Armendariz, 33, Spanish 'rejoneador' or mounted bullfighter, poses with one of his horses known as Heroi, at his ranch in Noain, northern Spain. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Roberto Armendariz, 33, Spanish 'rejoneador' or mounted bullfighter, poses with photos of saints and virgins that he prays to before every performance. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)