The record-union., 1893-10-16
HORSES BLESSED IN CHURCH.
Ceremonies Attending a Race Rul
Annually in Italy Since 1850.

Ceremonies Attending Race Run
Annually in Italy Since 1850.
Twice each summer, in July and Au-
gust, the horse-race, or "Pallo," and
medieval procession takes place i'll the
piazza at Siena, Italy, says the London
Graphic. The "Pallo'' $50 called from the
banner given as prize, which has been
run annually since 1860, is really a con-
test between the different districts or con-
trada OF the town, and each OF these is
represented by nine or ten men in nedl-
eval costume and q horse. Each horse
entered Tor the race must first receive
benedlctlon at the parish church lew
hours before it runs. The priest stands
waiting at the altar-all eyes are turned 10
the door for the entrance Of the horse.
Possibly he deems it IAN honor to which
he was not born" for ii is only after much
gathering of hoots and plunging that he
can be cOaxed to enter, and IS led up TO
the high altar; thus he stands, surrounded
by the company in full costume, the
jockey, helmet on head, the Captain III
full arnor, standard bearer, drummer
and pages. There is moments hush,
then the priest steps forward and sprin-
kles the horse with holy water, reads
few words of blessing i'll Latin and sprin-
kles him again; the spectators give a
lusty shout and the horse is led triumph
antly out.
BY 6:30 o'clock the piazza is crammed
with people Of all sorts and conditions,
and the balconies and windows Of the
houses, decorated with brilliant draper
les, are crowded. At the third gunfire
tho course is cleared by the mounted car
abineers, and the professions enters the
piazza. First comes the town band in
plain, modern, dark-blue uniforms,
cooked hats with white plumes, playing
as it marches: pause, and then some
ni min Il IN nnS IG ~
the procession. Then pass the ''contrada"
one by one, each in different costume
Of the middle ages; each one has its en-
blem, such as dragon, snail, goose, wood,
wolf, owl, etc., represented on their cos
TUNES, flags, armor and horse-trapplngs;
the jockeys, in costume and wearing the
helmet, ride; the captains and their COM
panions go on foot. The horses are ridden
without saddle and stirrups, and as they
file out from under the archway Of the
pelazza an official gives each jockey his
nerbo. This is a whip made of OK sinew,
and it is permissible during the race for
rider to strike the rival jockeys and
horses with this formidable weapon-a
remnant Of middle age brutality. Woe
to the man who gets struck across the
face with it. The jockey hats, now worn
in place of the helmets, are of metal,
painted, to guard the head against these
blows.
The horses are at the starting point, the
signal is given, and they are otf-a good
start. "Selva" Tor Wood'') is the favor
ite, and leads from the first. We fear he
will never keep up the pace. but he does,
and in the second round he is still ahead.
The other nine horses are well together,
the jockeys belaboring right and left with
their nerbo; the people are excited to the
highest pitch. The noise is deafening,
for these peasants have sturdy voices.
Even the strangers who have come for
the spectacle, and care not one jot which
contrada wins, are constrained out of
sympathy to shout too. In the third round
''Selva'' has more than held his own, and
comes in fully two lengths ahead, amid
enthusiastic applause.
Instantly after the race the winning
jockey is surrounded by policemen, who
protect him until his company has time
to rally round him, and there is good
need for it, for the partisans of the beaten
contrada are hot-blooded and violent in
their disappointment, and would scarcely
let their victorious rival escape sound of
limb if they had chance to get at him.