Provincial Review of the Bardigiano Horse

A celebration for the Apennine horse

The Provincial Review of the Bardigiano Horse is one of the most cherished events of spring in Morfasso, a mountain municipality in the upper Val d'Arda in the province of Piacenza, in the heart of the Emilian Apennines. The event is dedicated to the Bardigiano horse, the ancient native breed of the Piacenza and Parma Apennines, a hardy and robust breed that has accompanied the lives of mountain communities for centuries and is now protected by a specific Genealogical Book.

Morphological evaluations

The heart of the day is the morphological review: specimens registered in the Genealogical Book of the province of Piacenza are presented and evaluated by a commission of experts, divided into categories (foals, mares, stallions). It is a technical but very engaging moment, where breeders and enthusiasts compare the quality of the animals and the care taken in the selection work carried out in the Apennine breeding farms.

Awards and equestrian shows

In the afternoon, the awards for the subjects that have distinguished themselves in the various categories take place, followed by equestrian shows with Bardigiano horses, offering the public a taste of the breed's qualities and docile temperament. Stands selling equipment and products related to the equestrian world are also present around the review area.

Taste and tradition

Throughout the day, food stalls managed by the Pro Loco of Morfasso are active, offering traditional Apennine dishes. The review is thus also a convivial occasion that attracts families, children, and visitors to the town, strengthening the bond between the community of Morfasso and its symbolic horse.

An Emilia-Romagna tradition

The event is part of the calendar of spring fairs that, throughout the Apennines between Emilia-Romagna and neighboring provinces, celebrate the Bardigiano as a living heritage of the territory. In Morfasso, this event, with free admission, combines the valorization of a protected breed with the rediscovery of a mountain village and its traditions.