Over the weekend, I saw an episode of Paul Merton in Spain. One of the things he highlighted were "rectadores" or bull jumpers. I am wondering if anyone has ever seen this event before? Is it popular? He was in a small town outside of Madrid and the ring looked pretty small.

I think they are gaining in popularity as to an alternative to bull fights. I don't know but my father-in-law enjoys watching them on tv and it looks to be pretty skillful with the acrobatics@!!!

I've seen a couple on TV but, to be honest, I lose interest pretty quickly. Although sometimes they can really WOW the audience with some of the more acrobatic jumps. They're part of some local festivals, but I think they're always coupled with actual bullfights.

Saludos, MadridMan

an acrobatic stunt no match for a corrida but modern times do new things ::)

Actually called ´Recortadores' I believe . I went to see them once with , yours truly MM , and a board member ( eskimojoe ) .. I loved it !! So different to a full corrida but impressive to say the least .. The recortadores are all very young and when the bull charges towards them they hold their ground and either just move at the last moment or , spectacularly . somersault over the bull . Wow !!! It's all bravado and very ( young ) macho but I enjoyed it . You remember that day MM , right ? I remember because I met Joe in a bar near the bullring before you arrived ... first time Joe and I had met ... I was drinking alcohol free beer at the time and Joe commented on how very Spanish that was ( it's almost fashionable for younger people to drink no alcohol beer during the day , so that they can be assured of a long evening in the bars later on ) . Joe's from Scotland and a true aficionado of the bullfights . It was a pleasure meeting him . I think we had a drink afterwards at La Puerta Grande just behind Alcalá .. a bullfighting bar full of great photos of visiting toreros .
Teachertraveler8 .. this was at Ventas .. the main bullring in Madrid . I would say there was about 40 to 50 % attendance . Paul Merton is great , by the way . He has a comedy show in the UK and he's brilliant !

590 000 signatures in Catalunia, 150 000 in Barcelona, more than no sayers, corridas are going to be back,read it here first.

in Spanish but heck this is Madrid ::)
http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2012/03/22/toros/1332409335.html