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| Carnival – Bolotana
Sas Mascaras de Caddu
The event consists in an ability match by masked horseman trying to rip of the neck of a cock hanged upside down from a certain height, while riding wildly.
Traditionally the cock was alive and the match assumed a particularly bloody aspect, that nowadays is not allowable, that’s why a petch chicken is used, guaranteeing spectacularity avoiding at the same time any suffering to animals. The evening will be concluded with distribution of broad beans and lard for everyone.The event takes place on Carnival Sunday and Tuesday.
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Last Carnival Sunday - Oniferi
Sa cursa e sa padedda
During the celebration of the Oniferi carnival the so called Sa coursa e sa Padedda is organized (literally “the pan hunt”), in which the horsemen show their horse riding ability trying, while keeping in balance and at gallop, to trash a hanging pan containing toys and sweets for all children.
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23th of April – Bitti
San Giorgio feast
In honour of the San Giorgio Bitti’s patronal feast a traditional costume horse riding event is organized: during a procession young people carry the statue of the Saint while men and women parade on horse in costume. It’s a tradition that during this day fiancées announce publicly their marriage.
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1st Sunday of June - Fonni
Madonna dei Martiri feast
The feast lasts four days, from Saturday up to Tuesday. Monday evening the solemn procession takes place, during which the Madonna is carried through the village’s alleys by typical costumes of Fonni and other Sardinian municipalities, by the horse riding procession "S'Istangiartu” and by the faithful.
The S’Istangiartu (flag/banner) procession, that originates in the 17th century, is coupled with the Su Cohones de Wrores (flower bread), both carried through the village streets by 25 horsemen, dressed in typical Fonni costumes. After the procession the equestrian Sa Arrela event takes place, that in ancient times was held inside the village, but nowadays takes place in the nearby San Cristoforo racetrack and is characterized by Parillias.
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The horse has always been a protagonist of Sardinian feasts and popular festivals, often related to agro pastoral world. The events are all in between sacred and profane, in cultural contexts that point out popular traditions and religiosity, in which horses and horsemen, wonderfully harnessed, show off in an authentic way. The sardinian horseman, skilful tamer and unconditioned horse lover, expresses through public displays his courage, his ability and his skills.
The best known horse riding events are represented by the “Pariglie”, acrobatic displays of several horsemen seeking spectular show and risk in order to display their real value: from Giostre, that most of all in the Carnaval period show masked horsemen accomplish difficult ventures as hitting a star or a fake chicken galloping with a sword: from religious processions, in which horses are beribboned and harnessed to escort a Saint, the Palios in which jockeys challenge each other among dust and support by fans in order to win honour, glory but also rich awards: and at last the Ardie, events that symbolize the victory of Cristianity upon pagan forces through dangerous runs around a church. Ardia means “guard”, guardianship, tutelage of a Saint or Martyr that is to be celebrated.
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2nd Sunday of July – Ovodda
Regional pariglie review
The event takes place in Creizzo, near the small rural S.Pietro Olieri church, a few kilometres from Ovodda. The day presents the display of pariglie groups of three or more horsemen that standing on their horse and running wild invent spectacular acrobatic games. Organized by the Horse Association of Ovodda, the event consists in a sort of regional pariglie championship, also thanks to the large number of participants from all over the island that have qualified. Pariglie are an authentic equestrian sport that has ancient origins: it took place mostly during “su tussorzu”, sheep shearing, when the “balentia” (the show off of one’s value) was a cultural aspect and the horsemen challenged one another in dangerous acrobatic runs. Furthermore during these days folkloristic and enogastronomic events are organized as well as artistic and craft manlike fairs.
More info: Ovodda Municipality ph. +39 0784 54023; Pro Loco of Ovodda ph. +39 338 2560851
Last Sunday of July – Gavoi
Su Palu de sa Itria
During the feast for the Sa Itria Sanctuary one of the most ancient flat races at a gallop takes place. In ancient times the runaway was a mule track on the Lidana plateau while now the run takes place inside a circular course around the Sanctuary. The scenario is anyway spectacular: among nuragic and pre-nuragic ruins professional and amateur jockeys run wildly at a gallop in order to win the race. At the end of the feast on Wednesday, around hundred Gavoi horsemen parade through the village on their horses.
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Ist Sunday of August – Fonni
Palio di Fonni
It’s the most famous and important race of whole Sardinia, thanks to the huge jackpot. The run sees the participation of several municipalities. Each jockey defends the colours of its municipality and horses are bareback ridden. The jockey of Fonni, participating to the Palio, is selected upon the winner of the San Giovanni run that takes place at the end of June. In between race batteries the Pariglie of Fonni and the horsemen of S’Istangiartu show off, the banner accompanying the SS. Madonna of the Martyrs during processions.
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15th of August – Orgosolo
Feast of Assunta
The event consists in a striking horse riding procession in honour of the Madonna and in “Sa Vardia”, an equestrian trial in which horsemen show their abilities through the village streets. In the days of the feast also a Palio is held in the horse arena of the Pradu plateau, in which many horsemen from all over Sardinia participate.
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21th of August– Oliena
San Lussorio
The event that starts with the Novena, nine days before, is a solemn procession of the Saint’s simulacre, that starting from the 18th century church in the historic centre, is carried through the village streets. The procession opens with a women, men and children’s parade, all dressed in the typical Oliena’s costumes and jewellery , escorted by tens of horsemen, as well in costume. The celebrations go on for the whole day with the traditional Ardia (show representing the victory of Cristianity upon pagan forces), dances, traditional songs and folk groups.
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End of August – Nuoro
Redeemer Christ feast
The festival has its origin in the beginning of last century with the placement of the bronze statue of the Redeemer Christ on top of the Ortobene Mount, event requested by pope Leone XIII in occasion of the 1900 Jubilee. The statue has been realized by the sculptor Vincenzo Jarace and has been inaugurated on the 29th of August 1901 with a massive procession of all the inhabitants of the nearby villages parading in traditional costumes. Since that date each year the custom of tributing the Redeemer is renewed with a parade in costume and the religious procession that starting from the Nuoro cathedral arrives up to the statue. An important role in the parade is played by horses: approximately two hundred horsemen and as many harnessed horses parade with traditional costumes through the city streets. The Festival takes place in two separate days: on Sunday preceding the 29th of August the parade is held, while on the 29th the procession unrolls.
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1st Saturday of September - Oniferi
Su palu de sos vichinaoso
The donkey palio is a much awaited public display, both by tourist as by the inhabitants of Oniferi, in which “sos vichinaoso” (the neighborhood) contend for the Palio hearty screaming, laughing and stirring up the jockeys that try in any way to bring their donkey to victory, sometimes stubborn and unpredictable, but the real protagonist of this singular event. The show is assured e unrepeatable.
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In this section only horse riding events of the Nuoro Province are promoted. If you want to point out an other event write us.
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