A Spanish matador tests the ferocity of a bull while using a magenta and gold dress cape during a traditional "fiesta brava" (bullfight) on May 26, 2009 at the Plaza de Toros in Madrid, Spain. Spanish-style bullfighting consists of three distinct stages, which begin after testing the ferocity of the bull: The "tercio de varas," where a mounted lanceman stabs the bull in its neck muscles to weaken it; the "tercio de banderillas," where three banderillos attempt to stab the bull with razor-sharp barbed sticks; and the "tercio de muerte," where the matador enters the ring alone and attempts to kill the bull using a sword and red cape.