The Palio of the Barbaresco

Talking about the Palio di Siena is not at all simple, summarizing the magic of an event that has its roots in the past and which is at the same time a celebration and competition, is a truly arduous undertaking.
It is indisputable that the horse is, and will always remain, the absolute protagonist of the Palio, more than the jockey: if he gets injured he cannot be replaced and he can also win alone, “shaken”, bringing all the strength of the district for which it runs.
But what is the treatment reserved for the so-called “palio horses”? Is it true that they can be subjected to mistreatment, as is very often supposed to be believed? Is there a figure in the contradaiola organization destined to care and safeguard and care for the horse? To give an answer to these questions, we will retrace all the phases that lead to the fateful day of the “Career”, as the “Race” is traditionally called, living them alongside the one who dedicates himself entirely to the horse, in the four days of the Palio : the “Barbaresco”.
The role of this important, but little known figure of the Palio di Siena, requires an intense activity carried out throughout the year, made up of meetings, inspections, knowledge and test runs that take place in the province, to arrive, as prepared as possible, for the final appointment which sees him as the sole guardian, in the four days of the Palio, of the most precious asset of the Contrada, the king of the square, the horse also known as “Bàrbero”.

VETERINARY PRE-EXAMINATIONS - The journey alongside the Barbaresco Iorzy begins one morning in February, in the veterinary clinic where the horse predictions are carried out, as required by the equine protocol. The horses admitted to the forecasts must be half-breeds of various origins, "mestizos" with a percentage of English blood not exceeding 75%.
VETERINARY PRE-EXAMINATIONS - The journey alongside the Barbaresco Iorzy begins one morning in February, in the veterinary clinic where the horse predictions are carried out, as required by the equine protocol. The horses admitted to the forecasts must be half-breeds of various origins, "mestizos" with a percentage of English blood not exceeding 75%.
VETERINARY PRE-EXAMINATIONS - The horse is identified by electronic reading of the microchip applied under the mane.
VETERINARY PRE-EXAMINATIONS - The horse is identified by electronic reading of the microchip applied under the mane.
VETERINARY PRE-EXAMINATIONS - Veterinary doctors proceed with skill and accuracy to carry out all health checks required by the equine protocol.
VETERINARY PRE-EXAMINATIONS - Veterinary doctors proceed with skill and accuracy to carry out all health checks required by the equine protocol.
VETERINARY PRE-EXAMINATIONS - Scanning of the retina using sophisticated electro-medical equipment.
VETERINARY PRE-EXAMINATIONS - Scanning of the retina using sophisticated electro-medical equipment.
TRIAL TRAINING RACES - The training trial runs begin several weeks after the fateful day of the Palio. Here you begin to breathe a special, "paliesca" air: handshakes between jockeys and management, Barbary men who handle the horses before trying and a growing rivalry between the "young" jockeys looking for a place at the canape. Only at the end of the racing period does the veterinary commission definitively choose the horses that can be made available to the administration.
TRIAL TRAINING RACES - The training trial runs begin several weeks after the fateful day of the Palio. Here you begin to breathe a special, "paliesca" air: handshakes between jockeys and management, Barbary men who handle the horses before trying and a growing rivalry between the "young" jockeys looking for a place at the canape. Only at the end of the racing period does the veterinary commission definitively choose the horses that can be made available to the administration.
TRAINING TEST RACES - The race that will take place in Siena on the day of the Palio is simulated. The behavior of the horses among the ropes is tested, together with the other horses, in the phases preceding the departure.
TRAINING TEST RACES - The race that will take place in Siena on the day of the Palio is simulated. The behavior of the horses among the ropes is tested, together with the other horses, in the phases preceding the departure.
TRAINING TRIAL RUNS - The start of the race takes place only after the release of the ?canape? by the ?mossiere?.
TRAINING TRIAL RUNS - The start of the race takes place only after the release of the ?canape? by the ?mossiere?.
TRAINING TRIAL RUNS - The race allows professionals to check the behavior of the horses on the tuff and on a path characterized by 90 degrees curves and slopes completely identical to those present in Piazza del Campo in Siena.
TRAINING TRIAL RUNS - The race allows professionals to check the behavior of the horses on the tuff and on a path characterized by 90 degrees curves and slopes completely identical to those present in Piazza del Campo in Siena.
THE NIGHT RACES - Here we are, the days of the Palio are upon us. Appointment with Barbaresco at dawn in Piazza del Mercato. This is where all the horses arrive aboard their Vans equipped for safe transport
THE NIGHT RACES - Here we are, the days of the Palio are upon us. Appointment with Barbaresco at dawn in Piazza del Mercato. This is where all the horses arrive aboard their Vans equipped for safe transport
NIGHT RUNS - In the morning, the track is prepared to allow for regulated training tests, which the Sienese call "night tests".
NIGHT RUNS - In the morning, the track is prepared to allow for regulated training tests, which the Sienese call "night tests".
RUNS AT NIGHT - The Barbareschis keep their "Barbers" constantly in motion, making them walk in circles inside the courtyard of the ?Palazzo Comunale?.
RUNS AT NIGHT - The Barbareschis keep their "Barbers" constantly in motion, making them walk in circles inside the courtyard of the ?Palazzo Comunale?.
THE NIGHT RUNS - The first "battery" is ready to enter the field. All horses carry a numbered sign for their identification attached to the bridle.
THE NIGHT RUNS - The first "battery" is ready to enter the field. All horses carry a numbered sign for their identification attached to the bridle.
THE NIGHT RACES - The ?Night Trial? is the first opportunity offered to the horses to try the competition ground where only ten of them will compete on the day of the Palio.
THE NIGHT RACES - The ?Night Trial? is the first opportunity offered to the horses to try the competition ground where only ten of them will compete on the day of the Palio.
THE NIGHT RACES - The ?Night Trial? is the first opportunity offered to the horses to try the competition ground where only ten of them will compete on the day of the Palio.
THE NIGHT RACES - The ?Night Trial? is the first opportunity offered to the horses to try the competition ground where only ten of them will compete on the day of the Palio.
THE NIGHT RACES - The ?Night Trial? is the first opportunity offered to the horses to try the competition ground where only ten of them will compete on the day of the Palio.
THE NIGHT RACES - The ?Night Trial? is the first opportunity offered to the horses to try the competition ground where only ten of them will compete on the day of the Palio.
THE NIGHT RACES - The ?Night Trial? is the first opportunity offered to the horses to try the competition ground where only ten of them will compete on the day of the Palio.
THE NIGHT RACES - The ?Night Trial? is the first opportunity offered to the horses to try the competition ground where only ten of them will compete on the day of the Palio.
LA TRATTA ? ?La Tratta? is the operation with which the horses are paired with the ten Contrade participating in the Palio. The horses are grouped in regulated heats and tested for three laps, as if it were a test, to verify their adaptability to the track, always ridden by jockeys dressed in the white jacket of the Municipality of Siena.
LA TRATTA ? ?La Tratta? is the operation with which the horses are paired with the ten Contrade participating in the Palio. The horses are grouped in regulated heats and tested for three laps, as if it were a test, to verify their adaptability to the track, always ridden by jockeys dressed in the white jacket of the Municipality of Siena.
LA TRATTA ? Once the batteries are over, the Captains, in the presence of the Mayor, meet to choose the ten subjects deemed suitable.
LA TRATTA ? Once the batteries are over, the Captains, in the presence of the Mayor, meet to choose the ten subjects deemed suitable.
LA TRATTA ? The ?mossa? is the start, the "go", the start of the race. It is probably the only start in the world, in which "almost" everything is allowed, from the obstacle to the opponent, to the change of place, from the refusal to leave, to even excessive forcing.
LA TRATTA ? The ?mossa? is the start, the "go", the start of the race. It is probably the only start in the world, in which "almost" everything is allowed, from the obstacle to the opponent, to the change of place, from the refusal to leave, to even excessive forcing.
LA TRATTA ? All the horse selection heats foreseen by the program follow one another on the track. Each single jockey can also try more than one horse.
LA TRATTA ? All the horse selection heats foreseen by the program follow one another on the track. Each single jockey can also try more than one horse.
LA TRATTA ? The jockeys in the three laps of the track must try to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the horses they ride.
LA TRATTA ? The jockeys in the three laps of the track must try to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the horses they ride.
LA TRATTA ? The curve of San Martino, which with its internal margin makes an angle of 95 degrees, is perhaps the most dangerous of all of the circuit. The external part is covered with protections made with a particular plastic material also used in motor racing. Very often it is in this downhill curve that the Palio is decided.
LA TRATTA ? The curve of San Martino, which with its internal margin makes an angle of 95 degrees, is perhaps the most dangerous of all of the circuit. The external part is covered with protections made with a particular plastic material also used in motor racing. Very often it is in this downhill curve that the Palio is decided.
THE DRAW - On a suitably prepared stage, the Mayor, in the presence of the 10 Captains of the Contradas who run, encapsulates 20 "little acorns"in two distinct urns. In the first urn 10 little acorns are placed containing the numbers (from 1 to 10) of the horses to be assigned. The other 10 are placed in the second containing the names of the districts that take part in the Palio.
THE DRAW - On a suitably prepared stage, the Mayor, in the presence of the 10 Captains of the Contradas who run, encapsulates 20 "little acorns"in two distinct urns. In the first urn 10 little acorns are placed containing the numbers (from 1 to 10) of the horses to be assigned. The other 10 are placed in the second containing the names of the districts that take part in the Palio.
THE DRAW ? When the contrada receives the drawn horse, the Bararesco takes it over until the end of the Palio. The horse cannot be replaced for any reason.
THE DRAW ? When the contrada receives the drawn horse, the Bararesco takes it over until the end of the Palio. The horse cannot be replaced for any reason.
THE DRAW ? The B?rbero and the Barbaresco, followed by the contradaioli singing the hymns of the ?contrada?, move from the square to the stable.
THE DRAW ? The B?rbero and the Barbaresco, followed by the contradaioli singing the hymns of the ?contrada?, move from the square to the stable.
THE STABLE - Once in the stable, the Barbaresco, assisted by his deputy, begin to put the barber at ease.
THE STABLE - Once in the stable, the Barbaresco, assisted by his deputy, begin to put the barber at ease.
THE STABLE ? They feed it, pamper it, check it in every part and finally introduce it into its box inside the stable.
THE STABLE ? They feed it, pamper it, check it in every part and finally introduce it into its box inside the stable.
After being subjected to a whole series of health checks by the veterinarian of the district, the b?rbero is ready to face the first official test in Piazza del Campo.
After being subjected to a whole series of health checks by the veterinarian of the district, the b?rbero is ready to face the first official test in Piazza del Campo.
THE FIRST TEST - The procession that accompanies the two towards the Piazza seems to be a true hymn to joy. Between songs, hymns and screams, their passage leaves a mark along all the roads traveled.
THE FIRST TEST - The procession that accompanies the two towards the Piazza seems to be a true hymn to joy. Between songs, hymns and screams, their passage leaves a mark along all the roads traveled.
THE FIRST TEST ? When they arrive in Piazza del Campo, the barbaresco introduces the horse into the courtyard of the Podest?, where he will be assigned a position, which he will hold for all six scheduled trials and the Palio.
THE FIRST TEST ? When they arrive in Piazza del Campo, the barbaresco introduces the horse into the courtyard of the Podest?, where he will be assigned a position, which he will hold for all six scheduled trials and the Palio.
THE FIRST TEST ? In the late afternoon the first of the six scheduled tests that precede the Palio takes place. Through these races the conditions of both the horse and the jockey are verified. At that point each Contrada has chosen a jockey who can always change, depending on the strategies of the race, until the morning of the Palio.
THE FIRST TEST ? In the late afternoon the first of the six scheduled tests that precede the Palio takes place. Through these races the conditions of both the horse and the jockey are verified. At that point each Contrada has chosen a jockey who can always change, depending on the strategies of the race, until the morning of the Palio.
THE FIRST TEST ? The exit of the horses, mounted by the jockeys of the ten districts, from the Cortile del Podest? is announced to the Piazza, for each individual test, by a drum roll and the explosion of a firecracker.
THE FIRST TEST ? The exit of the horses, mounted by the jockeys of the ten districts, from the Cortile del Podest? is announced to the Piazza, for each individual test, by a drum roll and the explosion of a firecracker.
THE FIRST TEST ? The Barbareschi in the background, compared to the protagonists of the race, go to their position on the track.
THE FIRST TEST ? The Barbareschi in the background, compared to the protagonists of the race, go to their position on the track.
THE FIRST TEST ? Horses ready at the ?mossa? and Barbareschi in their positions. Everything is ready to begin the first of six tests.
THE FIRST TEST ? Horses ready at the ?mossa? and Barbareschi in their positions. Everything is ready to begin the first of six tests.
THE FIRST TEST ? The tests are carried out in the morning and in the evening, starting from the afternoon of the ?TRATTA? day until the morning of the PALIO day. The Contradas cannot refuse to run a trial, unless their horse is unable to run.
THE FIRST TEST ? The tests are carried out in the morning and in the evening, starting from the afternoon of the ?TRATTA? day until the morning of the PALIO day. The Contradas cannot refuse to run a trial, unless their horse is unable to run.
THE FIRST TEST ? The tests are held with the same rules and procedures as the Palio. However, it is not a real race, as the result has no value: the aim is to allow horses and jockeys to adapt to the track and the situation in view of the Palio.
THE FIRST TEST ? The tests are held with the same rules and procedures as the Palio. However, it is not a real race, as the result has no value: the aim is to allow horses and jockeys to adapt to the track and the situation in view of the Palio.
THE GENERAL TEST - The general rehearsal, like the previous tests, are logistically entirely the same as the race, that is, the horses exit from the "Entrone" of the Public Palace, called of the ?mossiere? and alignment between the ?canapi?, three laps of the Piazza and bursting of the firecracker at the end of the test.
THE GENERAL TEST - The general rehearsal, like the previous tests, are logistically entirely the same as the race, that is, the horses exit from the "Entrone" of the Public Palace, called of the ?mossiere? and alignment between the ?canapi?, three laps of the Piazza and bursting of the firecracker at the end of the test.
THE GENERAL TEST ? During the General Test you can breathe the same magical air of the race. The feeling is that of living for a few moments in an event that took place centuries before, almost a journey through time where it is possible to see all the people who have taken their seats there in all the years and centuries before on those stages.
THE GENERAL TEST ? During the General Test you can breathe the same magical air of the race. The feeling is that of living for a few moments in an event that took place centuries before, almost a journey through time where it is possible to see all the people who have taken their seats there in all the years and centuries before on those stages.
DINNER IN THE CONTRADA - The General Rehearsal dinner is the occasion in which one can most deeply penetrate the essence of the Palio.
DINNER IN THE CONTRADA - The General Rehearsal dinner is the occasion in which one can most deeply penetrate the essence of the Palio.
DINNER IN THE CONTRADA ? The dinner takes place in all the districts of the Contrade participating in the Palio, executives, contradaioli, guests and even tourists gather for dinner in honor of the protagonists of the joust. At the table of honor with the Contrada executives sits the jockey, Barbaresco...no!
DINNER IN THE CONTRADA ? The dinner takes place in all the districts of the Contrade participating in the Palio, executives, contradaioli, guests and even tourists gather for dinner in honor of the protagonists of the joust. At the table of honor with the Contrada executives sits the jockey, Barbaresco...no!
THE BLESSING OF THE ?BARBERO? - It is July 2, the magical day, everything is ready. I am about to witness something sensational: the blessing of the Barbero. It is a condition in which the sacred and the profane, characterizing elements of the whole festival, find their maximum expression: the horse accompanied by the Barbaresco crosses the threshold of a sacred environment.
THE BLESSING OF THE ?BARBERO? - It is July 2, the magical day, everything is ready. I am about to witness something sensational: the blessing of the Barbero. It is a condition in which the sacred and the profane, characterizing elements of the whole festival, find their maximum expression: the horse accompanied by the Barbaresco crosses the threshold of a sacred environment.
THE BLESSING OF THE ?BARBERO? ? Dentro la chiesa riceveranno dalle mani del sacerdote, la benedizione del Santo Patrono, affinch? entrambi vengano preservati dai pericoli e dalle insidie della corsa.
THE BLESSING OF THE ?BARBERO? ? Dentro la chiesa riceveranno dalle mani del sacerdote, la benedizione del Santo Patrono, affinch? entrambi vengano preservati dai pericoli e dalle insidie della corsa.
THE BLESSING OF THE ?BARBERO? ? It is on this occasion that the priest pronounces the phrase: ?Little horse go for a run and come back winner!?!
THE BLESSING OF THE ?BARBERO? ? It is on this occasion that the priest pronounces the phrase: ?Little horse go for a run and come back winner!?!
ON TRACK FOR THE"CARRIERA" - In the afternoon the square begins to fill up, the Carabinieri of the 4th Regiment on horseback from Rome enter the track, do a lap of honor and then perform in a splendid charge with unsheathed swords, preceding the walk of the Historical Parade.
ON TRACK FOR THE"CARRIERA" - In the afternoon the square begins to fill up, the Carabinieri of the 4th Regiment on horseback from Rome enter the track, do a lap of honor and then perform in a splendid charge with unsheathed swords, preceding the walk of the Historical Parade.
ON TRACK FOR THE"CARRIERA" ? The horses of the "CONTRADE" parade accompanied by their Barbareschi.
ON TRACK FOR THE"CARRIERA" ? The horses of the "CONTRADE" parade accompanied by their Barbareschi.
ON TRACK FOR THE"CARRIERA" ? The procession is closed by the Carroccio pulled by four oxen. On the Carroccio there are the four of ?Balia?, a ?Palio-carrying? attendant, a ?Valletto? playing the "Martinella" and six ?Trombetti?.
ON TRACK FOR THE"CARRIERA" ? The procession is closed by the Carroccio pulled by four oxen. On the Carroccio there are the four of ?Balia?, a ?Palio-carrying? attendant, a ?Valletto? playing the "Martinella" and six ?Trombetti?.
EVERYTHING IS READY FOR THE PALIO - A few days before the Palio I asked Iorzy, the Barbaresco: "What will happen to the winning horse at the end of the Palio?" And Iorzy: ?he will be carried in triumph in front of the Church of Provenzano to thank the Madonna. Immediately afterwards, the lucky Barbaresco will take him back to the stable to look after him, fix him and check that everything is fine. " I replied: "So the Barbaresco is the only Contrada who misses the celebrations?" Iorzy: ?First of all comes the horse. There is time to celebrate. " With these simple words, Iorzy dissolved all my doubts that pushed me to live this fantastic adventure. If this is not passion and love for the "Horse", I just don't know how to define it! Perhaps simply: "Palio di Siena!"
EVERYTHING IS READY FOR THE PALIO - A few days before the Palio I asked Iorzy, the Barbaresco: "What will happen to the winning horse at the end of the Palio?" And Iorzy: ?he will be carried in triumph in front of the Church of Provenzano to thank the Madonna. Immediately afterwards, the lucky Barbaresco will take him back to the stable to look after him, fix him and check that everything is fine. " I replied: "So the Barbaresco is the only Contrada who misses the celebrations?" Iorzy: ?First of all comes the horse. There is time to celebrate. " With these simple words, Iorzy dissolved all my doubts that pushed me to live this fantastic adventure. If this is not passion and love for the "Horse", I just don't know how to define it! Perhaps simply: "Palio di Siena!"

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