The few people who pass through La Gloria, Texas on Hwy 755, nearly 50 miles South of Hebbronville seeing only the community post office, a closed gas station, several houses, a sign pointing the way to the local church, and the requisite small town sampling of horses, dogs, and roosters probably have no idea of the excitement generated in the Santa Maria Bullring three weekends early each Spring. The small dusty South Texas town hidden away in the mesquite and prickly pear comes alive with shouts of "El Toro!", and "Ole!" when the Matadors come to town!

The bullring sits behind the Post Office and is owned and operated by La Gloria resident Fred Renk. Renk, the father of David "El Texano" Renk, the only American bullfighter to confirm his status as a matador at the Plaza Mexico in Mexico City, raises the fighting bulls and secures some of the most successful and famous matadors from across Mexico to perform at Santa Maria Bullring. The Mexican fighting bulls are selected primarily for strength, vigor, intelligence and their aggressive behavior with little or no provocation. Fighting cattle are recognized for their elegant stature. The Toro has a long curved neck and holds its head very high. The breed it noted for its superb agility, and the long slender legs allow it to generate remarkable speed (faster than a quarter horse at 100 yards). Fully mature bulls weigh about 1100 to 1600 lbs.

Renk has successfully taken this spectacle on the road pitting man against beast in venues such as the Houston Astrodome. Saturday, May 7th, at 6:30PM the contest will be played out at the Poteet Strawberry Festival Arena. Sponsored by Cowboy Fellowship of Atascosa County in celebration of their 8th Anniversary, tickets for the event will be only $5.

Featured matador of the evening will be one of Mexico’s idols of the bullring, Matador Enrique Delgado. Known by aficionados as “El Cicion de Monterrey” or “The Cyclone of Monterrey,” Delgado received his promotion to full matador at the hands of the great Eloy Cavasos and was witnessed by the great Spanish matador Nino de la Capea. Delgado has faced bulls in all of the major plazas in the Republic. On the webpage of Texas Bullfights.LLC, Delgado refers to his style of bullfighting as “the ballet of strength”. He adds, “The power and strength of the toro, and the frailty of the matador standing still and controlling this power with a cloak and stick, this is the art of the spectacle.”

A twist on the standard bullfight is that bullfights in Texas must be "bloodless" meaning that the matador must exhibit the typical bravery, flexibility, cunning and stealthy athleticism of traditional bullfighting. Plus he must show great courage in leading a dangerous, aggressive animal around a bullring to exhibit his skill and capework for several minutes before facing the animal to remove a bouquet of roses from its back that symbolizes the “kill” since bulls may not be slain or even struck in the United States. Spectators at the event can expect to cheer on cue to the rhythm of the Paso Dobles, the bullfight music playing in the background, as they listen intently to the gems of bullfighting knowledge imparted by Fred Renk, and Pro-Rodeo Hall of Fame announcer Hadley Barrett.

Barrett has been awarded PRCA Announcer of the Year numerous times, has worked many National Finals Rodeos, National Finals Steer Roping, and the Canadian National Finals. He had announced more major pro rodeos than even he can remember, including San Antonio and Houston Rodeos. He has been an NFR television announcer since 1980. Barrett's easily recognizable "voice of rodeo" will also guide spectators through the antics and heroics of American Rodeo Style Bullfighters who will be on hand to add their own type of life risking chills and thrills to the event as several American Style Bullfights are to be held throughout the evening. So mark you calendars and plan to attend an event that is yet another FIRST in Atascosa County. Practice up on your calls of "El Toro" and "Ole!" and prepare to throw your loudest gritos!

2010 WORLD CHAMPION FREESTYLE BULL FIGHTER TO COMPETE
2010 World Champion Freestyle Bullfighter to perform May 7 in Poteet
Cowboy Fellowship is hosting one of the most unique sporting events ever to come to Atascosa County. On Saturday, the audience will get to see two premier events. Starting at 6:30 PM , this event promises a night of pure excitement that will keep you on the edge of your seat title at the Poteet Lions Club Arena located at the Strawberry Festival Grounds on Hwy 16 South. A bloodless bullfight with matador Enrique Delgado known as the Cyclone of Monterrey will fight three bulls and between his bullfights, the audience will experience a freestyle bullfighting competition.
Freestyle bullfighting is a style of bullfighting developed in American rodeo. The style was developed by the rodeo clowns who protect bull riders from being trampled or gored by an angry bull. Freestyle bullfighting is a 70-second competition in which the bullfighter avoids the bull by means of dodging, jumping and use of a barrel. One of the American freestyle bullfighters that will compete at the Bullfight event is Evan Allard.
Evan Allard is from Vinita, Oklahoma. He graduated from Oklahoma State University and works as a transmission electrician for Kamo Power Company when he is not fighting bulls. Evan always wanted to be a bullfighter. "Nobody in my family was big into rodeo and it's something I wanted to do. I finally started when I was 16 and my mom sent me to the Sankey Rodeo School. " The Sankey Rodeo School works with young and old cowboys in all aspects of what it takes to be successful in the rodeo business. Each student works with bucking stock to best fit the age, experience, athletic ability and goals of the participant. The only limitation to how many bulls they ride is their physical condition, ability and attitude. The school's motto is -Rodeo is NOT T-Ball!.
In just a few years, Evan has become one of the premier athletes in freestyle bullfighting. He was the 2009 and 2010 Thunder Equigames Champion. Staying mentally prepared is a key to his success. He practices with a fighting dummy, but he watches video tape and goes over each fight in his mind to prepare for each fight. His amazing athletic ability combined with mental alertness ensures that the audience is in for a fantastic show.
To relax, Evan plays a lot of ping pong. His dad plays Olympic level ping pong and there is a group that gets together every week. Competition is in his blood and he loves the thrill of the game whether it is fighting wild bulls or playing ping pong!
Bring your family and friends to see Evan perform at the Bullfight on Saturday in Poteet. Gates will open at 5:30. Seating is first come first serve. Parking is free. Admission is $5 per person aged 10 and up. No alcohol or ice chests will be allowed. Concession stand will be available during the show.