Review Bullfighting Alicante – 27 June 2026

Diego Ventura and Andy Cartagena end the Hogueras Fair with triumphant exits

Ventura and Cartagena Bring the Hogueras Fair to a Triumphant Close

The 2026 Hogueras Fair concluded its bullfighting programme with an afternoon of rejoneo, or bullfighting on horseback, in which Diego Ventura and Andy Cartagena shared the spotlight and left the arena on the shoulders of supporters. The Sevillian rejoneador delivered an emphatic performance rewarded with four ears, while Alicante-born Cartagena secured two trophies thanks to a thrilling display against his second bull.

Duarte Fernandes, making his debut in Alicante, also made a positive impression, earning one ear from his first bull. However, difficulties with the killing lance during his second appearance prevented him from adding to his tally.

The bulls from Fermín Bohórquez contributed significantly to the spectacle, displaying good qualities overall. Well presented and offering opportunities for the rejoneadores to shine, they provided an entertaining afternoon, with the exception of the first, which proved disappointing. The class of the fifth and the bravery of the sixth were particular highlights of a string that allowed the riders to demonstrate their skills.

The ninth event in the season-ticket programme attracted 6,414 spectators on a beautiful afternoon. Its triumphant conclusion underlined the appeal of rejoneo as the finale to one of Spain’s most prominent bullfighting festivals.

Diego Ventura Claims Four Ears and Dominates the Afternoon

Diego Ventura was the outstanding performer of the event. The Sevillian rejoneador found opportunities to shine against both his bulls, turning each appearance into a triumph that earned him two ears.

His first performance already demonstrated his ability to interpret the bulls’ charges from the saddle, although it did not quite reach the level required for the maximum reward. The crowd acknowledged his work with applause and a formal greeting.

His second appearance, however, took the afternoon to another level. Ventura delivered a more emphatic performance, making the most of the bull’s qualities to build an increasingly intense display. His connection with the spectators and his precision at the decisive moments earned him both ears.

The Sevillian repeated the achievement against his second opponent, finishing the afternoon with four trophies. His consistency, combined with his ability to make the most of the bulls’ characteristics, made him the leading figure of the Hogueras finale.

The double reward confirmed the quality of his performance and secured his triumphant exit on the shoulders of supporters, providing a fitting highlight to an afternoon of outstanding rejoneo.

Andy Cartagena Wins Over the Alicante Crowd

Andy Cartagena also had plenty to celebrate at the end of the fair. The Alicante-born rejoneador once again connected with a crowd familiar with his work, finding in his second bull the opportunity to bring his afternoon to a successful conclusion.

His opening performance was acknowledged with applause and a formal greeting. In his second appearance, he was able to demonstrate his horsemanship and technical resources more fully.

The performance gathered pace and allowed Cartagena to make the most of his opponent’s qualities. The enthusiastic response from the stands translated into the award of two ears, securing his place in the triumphant procession on supporters’ shoulders.

The result held particular significance for the rejoneador, who brought the fair to a close in front of his home crowd with a display of commitment and a strong connection with the spectators.

Duarte Fernandes Makes a Positive Impression on His Debut

Duarte Fernandes made his Alicante debut with a performance that offered encouraging signs for the future. The Portuguese rejoneador earned one ear from his first bull, a reward for a display that allowed him to showcase his abilities to the local audience.

His second appearance followed a different course. Although he had another opportunity to pursue success, difficulties with the killing lance ultimately affected the result, and he received silence from the crowd.

His lack of precision in the final stage prevented him from completing a more successful afternoon. Nevertheless, his debut provided a first impression at a bullring of considerable importance on the Spanish bullfighting calendar.

Fermín Bohórquez Provides a String of Bulls with Good Qualities

The Fermín Bohórquez bulls played an important role in the event’s success. They were well presented and performed well overall, offering characteristics that helped the rejoneadores showcase their skills.

The first was the least rewarding, but the remaining bulls provided opportunities for engaging performances. The class of the fifth and the bravery of the sixth stood out, adding two particularly notable moments to the overall assessment of the string.

The variety in their behaviour required the riders to adapt their approach to each opponent. Nevertheless, the generally good performance of the bulls allowed all three rejoneadores to demonstrate their abilities at different stages of the afternoon.

The result was an engaging rejoneo event with plenty of variety, in which the bulls complemented the riders’ efforts and helped bring the fair to a celebratory close.

Alicante Bids Farewell to Hogueras 2026 with Two Triumphant Exits

The ninth event in the season-ticket programme brought the Hogueras Fair to a close with a celebratory image: Diego Ventura and Andy Cartagena left the arena on the shoulders of supporters after sharing six ears between them.

Ventura stood out for his emphatic and consistent performances, Cartagena found his reward in a thrilling second appearance, and Fernandes earned an ear on his Alicante debut.

With a strong crowd in attendance and a string of Fermín Bohórquez bulls that performed well for the most part, the 2026 fair concluded with a spectacle in which rejoneo took centre stage.

Event Details:

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Images: A. Vigueras – Eventos Mare Nostrum

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