Whenever someone contacts me and shows interest to cover a California bloodless bullfight event, I never say no (lol). It is a great way to increase the awareness of the "Art of Bloodless Bullfighting" in California. Being able to share the pageantry of this spectacle is a goal that I've had since I've been introduced to it in 2000.

Robert of LA Times had sent me a message saying "I’m interested in producing a photo/audio/video piece on the bloodless bull fighting event in Artesia." I Googled his name to see if he was real and from LA Times (lol). Hey, you never know. I did the same thing when Dancing with the Stars contracted me for Jerry Springer. That was fun =)

Robert's first intent was to cover the event. I on the other hand offered him more. I basically gave him a better story and opened up the doors to a world he's never been before.

We started our day at our ranch where the horses were getting prepped for the Artesia event. In a traditional Portuguese-style bloodless bullfight, the horses (ranging from Lusitanos, Andalusians, Arabians, Quarters, Azteca, etc) are an integral part of the show.

A Cavaleiro will not be able to perform without a horse. The horses are given a bath, pedicures, and manes braided intertwined with colorful ribbons prior to their big moment in the arena. I introduced Robert to the horse owners/brothers, Raul and Marc, along with John, and Alberto Conde (Cavaleiro).

By 2pm, everyone was finished and we headed towards Artesia to eat lunch prior to doing interviews with Tony "Doogie" Machado (team captain of the Forcados group Aposento de Turlock) and Alberto Conde (Cavaleiro from Portugal).

from L to R: Tony "Doogie" Machado (team captain of Aposento de Turlock), two Forcados grabbing the bull at the bloodless bullfight that night (courtesy of Corbis).
Please note: Forcados are NOT bullfighters, they are "bull grabbers"... they "grab" the bull and the front guy basically plants himself just above the head in between the horns, while the second guy secures him in place, then the remaining 6 guys maintain the position of the two avoiding their fall or they start over.

Alberto Conde (Cavaleiro from Portugal)
A "Cavaleiro" -aka- Rejoneador (in Spanish) ... is a "bullfighter" on horseback

Due to the bulls arriving late, we were unable to do proper interviews with Ceasar Castaneda (Matador) and Joe Souza (Ganadeiro providing the bulls for the event).  The bulls are a huge part of the equation, without them, we wouldn't be able to have bullfights.

Ceasar Castaneda (Matador from California)
A "Matador" -aka- Torero "Matador de Toros" ... Maestro... a bullfighter on foot.

Ganadaria Joe Souza (bull breeder providing the bulls for the Artesia event)

Once the bloodless bullfight had started, Robert Gauthier was hooked and bit by the "bug" that kept him wanting for more. The rest of the story takes Robert for a journey to Central California where a vast majority of the bloodless bullfights are held.

The video below is a view from his camera lens, but words and pictures alone cannot explain in depth the passion that captivated this photographer.

Fun fact: the title of this video "Dances with Bulls" was inspired by Alberto Conde during his interview.

"Dances with Bulls" Photography & Video by: Roberth Gauthier of LA Times

I started my day so early in the morning and did not anticipate the event to start 3 hours late. Had I known, I would have brought extra shoes and saved my boots from a tragic moment of the heel breaking off =\.

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