Cavalcagiugno

Cavalcagiugno, the Bardigiano horse festival in Albareto

Every year, at the end of June, the small municipality of Albareto, in the heart of Alta Val Taro in the province of Parma, becomes the meeting point for enthusiasts of the Bardigiano horse. Cavalcagiugno is a saddle and harness gathering designed for breeders, owners, and the simply curious who want to spend a day in the saddle amidst the woods and pastures of the Emilia Apennines, on the border with Liguria and Tuscany.

An event tied to the territory

Born in 2011 and reaching its 13th edition in 2026, Cavalcagiugno is not a race but an occasion for meeting and promotion. The goal is to promote the use of the Bardigiano in equestrian tourism and outdoor recreational activities, while also showcasing the mountainous territory where this breed has been raised for generations. The Bardigiano, with its small stature and docile temperament, is indeed the ideal companion for trekking: it makes forest trails easier to navigate and is easy to mount and handle.

The Bardigiano horse, a heritage of the Apennines

The Bardigiano is a native breed of the Apennines between the provinces of Parma and Piacenza, whose Genealogical Register was established in 1977 from historical village fairs. Bay coat, robust build, and hardiness make it perfect for mountain life. Events like Cavalcagiugno, along with the spring shows in Morfasso, Bedonia, and the major National Exhibition in Bardi in August, preserve this heritage of biodiversity, culture, and traditions of the Apennine communities.

Trekking, conviviality, and discovery

The program revolves around horse trekking routes along the trails of Alta Val Taro, with rest stops, refreshment points, and convivial occasions that bring together riders from all over the Apennines. The event is also an opportunity for exchange between breeders and breed enthusiasts. For those not riding, Cavalcagiugno remains a chance to get closer to the world of the Bardigiano and to discover Albareto, a village known throughout Italy for its IGP porcini mushrooms and for the unspoiled landscapes of the Parma Apennines.