Only three Hazelhutters are staying the night with us this week, although more friends will join them during the next few days. They arrived on a very special day in the Ronciglione calendar - the first 'Palio Corse a Vuoto' held by the town in 5 years.
For this event all residents of the town choose one of nine horses to back and since we had been following Paolina for 'Fontana Grande', we chose to continue. So the children made up T-shirts in our colours: blue, white and black..... someone even managed to have a skirt made too!
When we were all dressed up, we headed into the town and took some photos.
We arrived early and found some seats with friendly people who supported 'Rione Campanione' we had a snack and drew pictures to pass the time before the action began.
First there was a parade of various bands, horses and each of the Rione's representatives. Unfortunately we discovered that our horse had not made it to either the final or the 'finalino', so we decided to cheer for the 'Campanone' horse with our new friends.
Finally after a very long wait and a very scary false start the 3 horses in the 'finalino' set off - what a sight!
It was so exciting! The horses raced past our noses, kicking up the dust as they went. Then it was time for the final.
Campanone was in the lead!
The other horses got very close....
....but Campanone held her ground and won the race!!!!! Yipee!
Even though our horse didn't really win, we felt like winners and celebrated all the way back home. What a wonderful experience!
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