The Bull Jumper

SAN ANGELO, TX — If you watch the bull jumping show put on before every performance of the San Angelo rodeo so far by Frenchman Emmanuel Lataste, you will see the traditional American bull fighters in the arena with him. They are there, Lataste said, to lead the bull to him.

Lataste, who found he had a talent for jumping bulls at the age of 14 in his hometown of Monfort, France.

"In English, it’s ‘bull jumping,’ but in French the name is ‘course landaise,’” he explained. He told us the tradition goes back 500 years in his country. It is a mix of traditional Spanish bullfighting and French bullfighting.

After 15 years performing in Europe he found his way to the U.S. and the rodeo circuits here. Now 32, he has built a small, growing and appreciative fan base.

In the video above, “Manu” as he’s called, describes his moves and tricks of the trade.

He performs at every rodeo until the ‘Short Go” at the 2020 San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo.