Hurdles For Aspiring Bullfighters

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30288, 14 November 1963, Page 9

Hurdles For Aspiring Bullfighters

MADRID, Cockey, » 25-yer-old Australian, Christopher Meagher, is the latest nonLatin trying to make a name for himself in Spanish bullfighting. The odds are overwhelmingly against the brave visitor known to the Spaniards as "El Australiauo.” America’s Sidney Franklin, who became a full matador in 1945 after years in the bullring. is about the only nonLatin to have achieved success. This has not discouraged a urge number of non-Latins from trying. A few, such as the Englishman. Vincent Charles Hitchcock. have achieved brief notoriety. The first barrier for the foreign aspirant is that the Spanish fans refuse to take him seriously. The Spanish are a proud people who refuse to believe that a man without a drop of Spanish blood can become a top exponent of their national sport. Other barriers for the nonLatin include age and money. Usually the foreigners are

too old when they start. Spanish boys who want to be matadors start playing with capes and muletas, and even small bulls, before they enter their teens. Most have lulled several bulls by the time they are 18. Non-Latins usually do not even have the chance to set up residence in Spain until they are in their twenties. Then they have to set about learning Spanish and the innumerable bullfighting terms. They need enough money to live in Spain while they learn. The equipment is expensive. But even if they manage all this, they still have their biggest battles ahead of them. Their chances to practise with calves on bull ranches are small, because breeders

invite only known matadors or recommend beginners. Such practice in indispensable to the novice. When the aspirant, Spanish or non-Latin, starts to fight before the public—he pays for the privilege. Beginners nearly always pay to appear in the ring. More experienced aspirants pay their expenses, which cost from £3O a fight and the ones who are starting to make a name get their expenses paid by the ring impresario. A few apprentices are paid. About the only chance a non-Latin bullfighters has to earn any money today from the dangerous profession is to write a book about his experiences for sale outside