Tuesday, 3 July 2012: The Onda, or Wave conrada, has won the 2 July Palio in Siena with their veteran horse Ivanov and jockey Trecciolino.
It is the first win for the Onda in 17 years and their "contradaioli" were ecstatic. Ivanov is a 9 year old bay gelding who had been on the Palio circuit for a few years (they have Palios in other places in Tuscany) and his experience served him well. His jockey Trecciolino has also quite a few palios under his belt although he doesn't get to wear one. The jockeys, who ride bare-back, wear an outfit resembling pyjamas in the colours of their contrada.
The jockey not only has to survive the tough 3 rounds of the plaza, but he then is carried on the shoulders of the fans up to the cathedral for the Te Deum. It's arguable as to which is the more dangerous activity.
Only 8 horses raced to the end - two were eliminated by the vets before the race and one fell at the first San Martino corner.
