Bareback Horse Races – May 1st

The Bareback Horse Races of Piancastagnaio

On May 1st, the village of Piancastagnaio, in the heart of Mount Amiata and the province of Siena, becomes the stage for one of the most beloved equestrian events in southern Tuscany: the Bareback Horse Races. The day takes place on the track of the Madonna di San Pietro Equestrian Theme Park, a facility inaugurated in 2023 that has quickly become a landmark for horse racing enthusiasts and local traditions in the Amiata area.

A young yet deeply felt tradition

The event was born in 2024 and, following the success of its first two editions, returned in 2026, confirming itself as a staple of the Piancastagnaio spring calendar. The bareback races, where jockeys ride without a saddle, reflect the town's great passion for the equestrian world, the same spirit that animates the famous Palio di Piancastagnaio and its four contrade every August.

The four contrade on the track

The heart and soul of the event are the four town contrade — Castello, Borgo, Coro, and Voltaia — united under the Magistrato delle Contrade of Piancastagnaio. Eight of the fifty horses admitted to the races are reserved for the local contrade, while the remaining spots are open to crossbreed horses registered with the MASAF Genealogical Registry that meet the regulatory requirements. The day thus becomes an occasion for competition and celebration among the town's districts.

Sport, community, and local development

The Bareback Races are organized by the Municipality of Piancastagnaio in collaboration with the Magistrato delle Contrade, the Pro Loco, and the Misericordia of Piancastagnaio, as part of a broader project dedicated to sport, social life, and the enhancement of the territory. Around the track, there are areas dedicated to street food, a craft market, and inflatable games for children, making the day suitable for the whole family.

An outdoor day on Mount Amiata

Set in the natural surroundings of Mount Amiata, the races offer visitors not only a sporting spectacle but also the opportunity to discover Piancastagnaio, an ancient medieval village famous for its Aldobrandesca Fortress and Amiata chestnuts. A unique May 1st, dedicated to horses, tradition, and conviviality.