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

Updated:8th Jul, 2019 at 8:16 PM

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)

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