Men on horseback in Spain spear bull to death at festival reviled by animal rights activists

Men ride horses as activists try to stop the 'Toro de la Vega' bull festival in Tordesillas, near Valladolid, Spain, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015. Men on horseback chased down a bull and speared it to death during the annual Toro de la Vega festival reviled by animal rights activists who turned out by the hundreds to protest the event. Scuffles broke out Tuesday between activists and the festival's more numerous supporters before the bull, weighing more than half a ton, was released in the north central town of Tordesillas. (AP Photo/Oscar del Pozo) (The Associated Press)

Men run next to a bull during the 'Toro de la Vega' bull spearing festival in Tordesillas, near Valladolid, Spain, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015. Men on horseback chased down a bull and speared it to death during the annual Toro de la Vega festival reviled by animal rights activists who turned out by the hundreds to protest the event. Scuffles broke out Tuesday between activists and the festival's more numerous supporters before the bull, weighing more than half a ton, was released in the north central town of Tordesillas. (AP Photo/Oscar del Pozo) (The Associated Press)

Activists react during a protest as they try to stop the 'Toro de la Vega' bull festival in Tordesillas, near Valladolid, Spain, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015. Men on horseback chased down a bull and speared it to death during the annual Toro de la Vega festival reviled by animal rights activists who turned out by the hundreds to protest the event. Scuffles broke out Tuesday between activists and the festival's more numerous supporters before the bull, weighing more than half a ton, was released in the north central town of Tordesillas. (AP Photo/Oscar del Pozo) (The Associated Press)

Men on horseback have chased down a bull and speared it to death during the annual Toro de la Vega festival reviled by animal rights activists who turned out by the hundreds to protest the event.

Scuffles broke out Tuesday between activists and the festival's more numerous supporters before the bull, weighing more than half a ton, was released in the north central town of Tordesillas.

The activists also staged a sit-down protest but scattered along with festival supporters when the bull was released and headed toward them before being driven to a field and speared.

The bull-spearing event has been held for centuries and is defended by supporters as an important historical tradition.

The person credited with killing the bull gets a medal.