Diego Ventura brings Albacete to its feet with four ears

The rejoneo event at the Feria de Albacete 2026 had one clear star: Diego Ventura. The rejoneador delivered two outstanding performances and finished the afternoon with four ears, after the crowd went as far as strongly calling for the bull’s tail following his second appearance.

The bullring in Albacete was almost full for an event featuring bulls from Los Espartales, a well-presented group whose performances varied throughout the afternoon. The bulls generally showed good temperament, although some lacked the strength and fighting spirit needed to sustain longer performances.

The afternoon began with Rui Fernandes taking the first trophy, before Ventura gradually became the central figure of the event. Leonardo Hernández had less fortune with his two bulls, while Ventura ultimately captured all the attention.

Ventura makes his mark with the second bull

The second bull gave Diego Ventura the opportunity to demonstrate the full range of his skills. The rejoneador based his performance on precision, commitment and close work, quickly establishing a connection with the crowd.

The performance gathered momentum as it progressed and reached its peak towards the end. The response from the stands was emphatic and Ventura was awarded two ears.

It was only the first chapter of an afternoon that still had an even more intense moment in store.

The fifth bull sends the crowd wild

Ventura once again took centre stage with the fifth bull. The rejoneador found another opportunity to develop a high-intensity performance and steadily raised the excitement levels inside an increasingly enthusiastic bullring.

The crowd rose to its feet and the demand for trophies became particularly strong. Ventura was awarded two more ears, while a significant section of the audience also called for the bull’s tail.

The president did not grant the final trophy, but Ventura’s four ears made him the undisputed star of the afternoon.

His performance ended with the rejoneador being carried shoulder-high from the bullring, providing a spectacular finale to one of the most notable afternoons of the Feria de Albacete.

Rui Fernandes opens the door to the trophies

Rui Fernandes was the first rejoneador to enter the arena and quickly made his presence felt.

The Portuguese rider faced a noble bull, although it lacked the fighting spirit needed to sustain a performance with greater continuity. Fernandes responded with a committed performance, making the most of the opportunities offered by his opponent.

The crowd appreciated his work and the first trophy of the afternoon followed: one ear.

His second bull again provided some interesting opportunities. Fernandes had the chance to add to his tally, but an unsuccessful final sword thrust ultimately affected the result. His performance was rewarded with an ovation.

Leonardo Hernández faces the most difficult conditions

The afternoon proved less favourable for Leonardo Hernández.

The Extremaduran rejoneador first encountered a distracted bull that offered little cooperation, making it difficult from the outset to build a performance with continuity.

Hernández persevered and produced several passages appreciated by the audience, who eventually rewarded him with an ovation.

His second appearance proved even more complicated. The sixth bull gradually lost momentum during the performance and eventually collapsed before Leonardo had even begun the final stage of the kill. With no realistic opportunity for a trophy, the performance ended in silence.

Los Espartales: a varied afternoon of bull behaviour

The bulls from Los Espartales were well presented and displayed contrasting characteristics throughout the event.

Nobility was one of the common features of the group, although several animals lacked the strength and fighting spirit required to sustain performances of greater length and intensity.

The second and fifth offered the greatest possibilities to Diego Ventura, who took full advantage of them to produce the two strongest performances of the afternoon.

Rui Fernandes’ pair allowed the Portuguese rider to claim one trophy, while Leonardo Hernández faced more limited opportunities for artistic expression.

Albacete embraces rejoneo

The Albacete Bullring was almost full for this rejoneo event, held on Sunday 13 September as part of the Feria de Albacete.

Before the traditional paseíllo, the entrance procession of the bullfighters and riders into the arena, the Spanish national anthem was played.

The final tally was clear: four ears for Diego Ventura, one for Rui Fernandes and no trophies for Leonardo Hernández.

Ventura left the bullring shoulder-high after two performances that steadily increased in intensity and ultimately established him as the standout performer of the afternoon in Albacete.