Sanfratellano Horse Fair and Exhibition

An exhibition in the heart of the Nebrodi

The Sanfratellano Horse Fair and Exhibition is one of the most cherished events in the calendar of San Fratello, a village in the Nebrodi mountains in the province of Messina, Sicily. Every year, typically on the last Sunday of September, Contrada Passo dei Tre transforms into a grand open-air stage where breeders, enthusiasts, and curious visitors gather to admire and evaluate the prized specimens of this native breed.

The Sanfratellano horse, a millennial breed

The Sanfratellano horse represents one of the oldest equine breeds in Europe, present in the Nebrodi region for over a millennium. According to tradition, the horse arrived in Sicily around the 11th century with the Normans and Countess Adelaide del Vasto, and in subsequent centuries, it was crossbred with English, German, Maremmano, Salernitano, and Hungarian breeds. Still raised in the wild in the Nebrodi forests today, the Sanfratellano has preserved its genetic purity through natural selection, despite remaining a breed with a limited number of individuals.

What to see at the Fair

The event is primarily a livestock exhibition: a panel of experts evaluates hundreds of foals, stallions, and broodmares based on their morphological characteristics and temperament. In the afternoon, the award ceremony for the best specimens and the top three finishers takes place. Alongside the technical evaluations, the day features various equestrian displays, performances, and country-style entertainment.

• Technical evaluation of foals, stallions, and broodmares by the jury
• Equestrian exhibitions and skill demonstrations
• Award ceremony for the best subjects and top three finishers
• Shows and side events for visitors
• Tasting and sale of typical gastronomic specialties from the Nebrodi area

Tradition, identity, and territory

The Exhibition is organized by the Municipality of San Fratello in collaboration with numerous entities linked to the equine world and the territory, including the Institute for Equine Improvement, ANAREAI (National Association of Breeders of Italian Equine and Donkey Breeds), the Nebrodi Park, UNPLI, and the local Pro Loco. The stated goal is to promote the Sanfratellano horse breed and raise its profile at regional, national, and international levels. Visiting San Fratello during the Exhibition also means discovering a village with a unique identity, where a curious Gallo-Italic dialect, brought by Lombard settlers in the 11th century, is still spoken.