rejoncillo de la rosa

bullfighting

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July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

The term "rejoncillo de la rosa" refers to a specific type of dart used in rejoneo, a form of bullfighting where the fighter, known as a rejoneador, is mounted on a horse. This equestrian style of bullfighting is also sometimes called the Portuguese style.1

In rejoneo, the rejoneador uses a rejón (a short, broad blade on a shaft) to kill the bull. Before the final kill, the rejoneador performs intricate horsemanship while placing "punishing rejones" and then banderillas (barbed darts) into the bull's shoulders and neck. The rejoncillo de la rosa is a dart about 6 inches long with a cloth rose at one end, used by the rejoneador by leaning far out of the saddle over the bull's horns. Unlike in traditional bullfighting, the horses in rejoneo are not padded. The objective in Portuguese rejoneo is not to kill the bull in the ring, but to showcase the skill of the horse and rider, with the bull dispatched later.12

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bullfighting
Development in the modern era
…discarded in favour of the rejoncillo (short spear), and leg armour was introduced to protect the mounted bullfighters. As knowledge of the nobles’ prowess spread beyond their domains, they were invited to competitive jousts in provincial tournaments. However, the nobles’ performance was hampered by their unfamiliarity with the spirit of…
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…discarded in favour of the rejoncillo (short spear), and leg armour was introduced to protect the mounted bullfighters. As knowledge of the nobles’ prowess spread beyond their domains, they were invited to competitive jousts in provincial tournaments. However, the nobles’ performance was hampered by their unfamiliarity with the spirit of…
Read More

rejoneo
…inches (15 cm) long, the rejoncillo de la rosa, so called because of a cloth rose at one end. The rejoneador places it by leaning far out of the saddle and reaching over the bull’s horns, which pass very close to the horse—a dangerous and spectacular maneuver.
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…inches (15 cm) long, the rejoncillo de la rosa, so called because of a cloth rose at one end. The rejoneador places it by leaning far out of the saddle and reaching over the bull’s horns, which pass very close to the horse—a dangerous and spectacular maneuver.
Read More