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The Art of the Bullfight. Every fight is divided into three parts, called tercios. First tercio The bull is released and the torero's helpers go into the ring to work the bull. This lets the bullfighter see how it carries itself how it charges and hooks before he himself enters to make several passes with a large pink cape. At this point two picadors ride in on well padded, blindfolded horses and plunge their steel tipped lances into the massive shoulders of the bull to weaken it and make it angry. Second tercio The second part consists of the banderilleros placing their decorated barbed sticks (banderillas) in the bull to anger it further. Last tercio Now the torero faces the bull alone and demonstrates his skill. The spectators encourage him shouting "Oooooolé!" The high-spirited crowd, if pleased by his performance, shouts in an enthusiastic chorus, "To-re-ro! To-re-ro!" He passes ever closer and closer to the horns of the bull. When ready for the kill, he maneuvers the animal to stand squarely on all four legs; then plunges his sword deep between its shoulder blades. Rewarding the Matador The crowd calls out to the judge to reward the matador. An excellent performance will earn him one ear, an outstanding performance earns him two, and an especially fine exhibition, two ears and the tail. Bullfights can be seen each Wednesday at 5:00 pm from late November to early June at the La Paloma bullring across from the Maritime Terminal. Tickets are available on Wednesdays at the arena and at many hotels and other locations. Tel: 224-2457

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