THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. SATURDAY, JULY 29, 1950.
TAG WITH DYNAMITE ON THE HOOF
BETWEEN CONTESTS and at intermissions, spectators in the stands around the arena are entertained by a trio of singers. Two play guitars, the other the harp.
LAYING tag in lots of fun except when you're chasing and trying to corner a thundering bull composed chiefly of hundreds of pounds of massivo muscle. Then like many a Chilean cowboy- you may wind up in a hospital er escape with just bruises and lacerations.
Doctors and nurses will be in for their usual seasonal rush in the South American country now that roden time has arrived. The highlight of these Chilean cowboy contests is reached when two ridors drive a bull around an arena, stopping him at a spot marked by Bags along the wall of a cone- padded stockade. Then they must reverse the animal, drive him to another "stop" on the opposite side, turn him around again and head him back to the first spot for another "touch" against the wall. Each cowboy, known as a hungo, takes a turn at stopping the bull while the other drives him from behind.
An important role in the contest is played by the riders horses. Years of training and careful breeding have developed nimble-footed mounts that instantly obey their owners. Unlike bullfights, which end only when the animal is killed, the Chilean sport permita the bull to "urn and run away and live to plny another day.”
At breakneck speed, o crack Chilean cowboy pins bull against a stockade wall during a rodeo contest. Stopping bull by pressure on its neck eams one point forsidety
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ALTHOUGH SEATED on sidelines, the ladies play a key role in proceedings. A cowboy receives their smiling congratulations after winning one of the contesté.
JUST WHEN the horseman was about to pin this bull by pressure against its alde and score two paints, it decided to aft. This eals up time and chances of winning.
AS THE BULL gets up and breaks away, second rider takes over, Three points, top score in the contest, is achieved by stopping the bull by pressure on its flank.
LEATHER LEG GAUNTLETS protect rider against bad brukes and Lacoruflons); while wooden stirrups preveal foot injuries. Spur spins, does not hurt the höras.,