Ciudad Real Bullfighting Fair 2013: A Celebration of Emotion and Greatness

Iván Fandiño, the resounding triumph of a true bullfighter

The 2013 Virgen del Prado Bullfighting Fair arrived in Ciudad Real with the brilliance reserved for great occasions. I remember it as a special year, filled with that unique sense of anticipation in the stands — the kind that only truly powerful line-ups can create. The presentation, elegant and carefully organised, lived up to expectations: businessman Maximino Pérez gathered the press, aficionados, and leading figures of bullfighting for a gala that promised something remarkable. And it delivered.

A Short but Exceptional Fair

The festival, held from 16 to 18 August, chose quality over quantity: two bullfights, one rejoneo (bullfighting on horseback), and a popular event for younger audiences. In total, three intense days that brought back the festive atmosphere to the Ciudad Real bullring, with 2,193 season ticket holders showing their loyalty and passion.

The highlight was clear from the start — the return of Enrique Ponce to bulls from Fuente Ymbro. Twelve years after their last encounter, the Valencian maestro faced Ricardo Gallardo’s cattle once again, sharing the poster with two of the greatest names in modern bullfighting: Julián López El Juli and Miguel Ángel Perera. A luxury line-up, the kind rarely repeated, opening the fair on 16 August with the promise of both artistic and livestock rivalry at the highest level.

And Ponce did not disappoint. With his trademark elegance, he delivered two poised, deeply artistic performances, cutting two ears and leaving through Ciudad Real’s Puerta Grande. It was a joyful reunion with Fuente Ymbro and further proof of his timeless talent — the art of a matador who continues to move audiences wherever he performs.

Rejoneo and Bravery in La Mancha

Saturday 17 August was dedicated to rejoneo, the bullfighting style on horseback. After a year’s absence, the public once again enjoyed the beauty and skill of equestrian art. Diego Ventura, who declined an engagement in Bilbao to appear in Ciudad Real, headlined a line-up completed by Andy Cartagena and local rejoneador Miguel Ángel Martín. It was an afternoon of emotion, mastery, and wholehearted dedication. The company Maxitoro made the right choice — the audience in La Mancha has always had a special appreciation for rejoneo.

The Courage of Iván Fandiño — An Afternoon for the History Books

To close the fair, Sunday 18 August brought another stellar line-up: El Cid, El Fandi, and Iván Fandiño — three contrasting styles united by their dedication. Fandiño, then at the height of his career, delivered a performance to remember. With overwhelming composure and a pure, honest concept of bullfighting, he cut four ears after two powerful and truthful faenas, leaving through the Puerta Grande to a thunderous ovation that shook the arena.

That afternoon earned him the title of Triumphant Matador of the 2013 Ciudad Real Bullfighting Fair, awarded by the City Council — a well-deserved recognition for a torero who embodied authenticity and hard work.

Fandiño was one of those matadors who never took shortcuts — a man who earned his place through sheer courage and sincerity. Born in Orduña, he built his career far from the comfortable circuits, making his way through tough rings and demanding herds. His story, marked by determination and dignity, would later meet a tragic end in 2017, in the French town of Aire-sur-l’Adour, where a bull fatally caught him during a quite. His death shocked the bullfighting world but also sealed his legend — that of a true matador, one who never gave up.

A Fair with Soul and Conviction

Beyond the names and trophies, the 2013 Ciudad Real Fair carried a message of resilience. In difficult economic times, maintaining such a high-level programme was an act of faith in bullfighting itself. As Maximino Pérez stated during the presentation: “Without the support of the City Council and the commitment of the fans, it would be impossible to hold a fair like this.”

He was right. That edition proved that the bullfighting spirit of Ciudad Real was very much alive — that its bullring still beats with pride and identity. Between Ponce’s artistry, Perera’s strength, Fandiño’s courage, and Ventura’s elegance, the 2013 fair was engraved in memory as a season of reunions, emotion, and Manchegan pride.

Final Reflection

Looking back now, it’s clear that the 2013 fair was much more than three afternoons of bullfighting — it was a declaration of intent. Proof that Ciudad Real knows how to hold its place on the national bullfighting map, embracing quality, tradition, and passion. Because, at its heart, the Virgen del Prado Fair is precisely that: a celebration built on devotion, respect, and love for the art of bullfighting.