St. Leonard's Horse Parade returns to Alta Badia on November 8

On Sunday, 8 November, the village of Badia will once again become a meeting point for breeders, horse enthusiasts and visitors on the occasion of the 26th edition of the St. Leonard’s Horse Parade. Set against the backdrop of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the event will bring together more than 100 horses and breeders from South Tyrol and the other Ladin valleys. Organised by the associations of Noriker and Haflinger horse breeders in the valley, the event is one of the most significant occasions in the local autumn calendar.

The St. Leonard’s Horse Parade was created with the aim of keeping alive and sharing the traditions of Ladin rural culture. The event offers the opportunity to witness customs and rituals passed down through generations, while also discovering Alta Badia in a season other than winter and summer, when the valley reveals its quieter and more intimate side.

The day will begin at 9.30 am with the traditional solemn Mass at the parish church of St. Leonard, dedicated to St. Leonard and St. James. At 10.45 am, the grand parade will set off: starting from the village’s craft and artisan area, the procession will make its way through the centre of Badia, accompanied by Haflinger and Noriker horses, representatives of the various Ladin valleys wearing traditional costumes, and numerous floats specially prepared for the occasion.

The parade will be led by the float dedicated to the patron saint. Among the various floats will be one featuring a miniature model of St. Leonard’s Church, built by local craftsmen to mark the 20th anniversary of the event. Another float will be dedicated to the produce of the harvest, which will be sold at the end of the parade, with the proceeds donated to charity. The presence of horses and breeders from different valleys, together with the marching bands of Badia, San Martino in Badia and Avelengo and local dance groups, will create a colourful procession celebrating local traditions, showcasing a variety of traditional costumes that can only be admired on a few other occasions in South Tyrol.

At the end of the parade, one of the most significant moments of the day will take place: the dean will bless the horses and their breeders in front of the Santa Croce mountain.

The Leonardi Trophy will also return this year, inspired by the renowned “Oswald von Wolkenstein Ritt”. Three teams will compete in two disciplines: slalom and ring riding, in an atmosphere of friendship and healthy competition.

The day will continue in the centre of Badia with a programme dedicated to conviviality and local culinary traditions. The Fire Brigade, farmers’ associations and the Müjiga Badia music group will serve local specialities, while musical entertainment will be provided by the local music groups from Avelengo and San Martino in Badia, the “Böhmische Badia” and the groups of the “Bal Popular” and Grup Folk Canazei associations, who will perform traditional group dances. In the afternoon, “törggelen” will also make a return, the traditional autumn custom of roasting and enjoying chestnuts, accompanied by a good glass of wine and traditional music.

The event programme will already get underway on the evening of Saturday, 7 November, when the village will begin to embrace the festive atmosphere, with the opportunity to sample some local culinary specialities and enjoy music performed by Ladin artists.

The St. Leonard’s Horse Parade will take place as scheduled even in the event of bad weather.

For further information: Alta Badia Tourist Information Offices – www.altabadia.org– Tel.: +39 0471/836176-847037 – Email: info@altabadia.org