Palio 2023. Siena, Italy

Palio 2023. Contrada Oca. Siena, Italy. 16 August 2023. The Palio di Siena is a horse race held twice each year, on 2 July and 16 August, in Siena, Italy. Ten horses and riders, bareback and dressed in the appropriate colours, represent ten of the seventeen contrade, or city wards. The Palio held on 16 August is named Palio dell'Assunta, in honour of the Assumption of Mary. The race itself, in which the jockeys ride bareback, circles the Piazza del Campo, on which a thick layer of earth has been laid. The race is run for three laps of the piazza and usually lasts no more than 90 seconds. It is common for a few of the jockeys to be thrown off their horses while making the treacherous turns in the piazza, and indeed, it is not unusual to see riderless horses finishing the race. A horse is not required to have a rider to win the race. Oca is situated just to the west of the Piazza del Campo. Traditionally, its residents made dyes. Oca's symbol is a crowned goose wearing around its neck a blue ribbon marked with the cross of Savoy. Its colours are green and white, with red trim. Oca is one of only four nobile (noble) contrade; it earned its title for its people's bravery during many battles fought by the former Sienese Republic. The most recent palio win for Oca was in the August 16, 2023 race, with jockey Carlo Sanna riding Zio Frac. Subscribe: www.youtube.com/@dullwalk?sub_confirm...