Tarquinia Horse Show

Equestrian theatre returns to Tarquinia Lido

The Tarquinia Horse Show is one of the most beloved events of the summer in Tarquinia, in the province of Viterbo, in the heart of the Lazio Maremma. It is not merely a series of horse riding displays, but a true equestrian theatre: an evening show where horses and riders move amidst costumes, music, and choreography, with evocative sets that transform the Tarquinia Lido seafront into an open-air stage. After a six-year break, the event returns in the summer of 2026 to Viale dei Tritoni, reviving a tradition the city has eagerly awaited.

A story that began in 2008

The event was established in 2008 by the Maremma Old Style Association and grew year after year, eventually reaching twelve consecutive editions and becoming one of the iconic events of the Tarquinia summer. Over time, the show evolved from a simple equestrian exhibition into a full-scale theatrical performance, attracting a large and diverse audience to the coast, from families to horse enthusiasts from across the Tuscia region and beyond.

The great return in 2026

After a six-year pause, the Tarquinia Horse Show returns on Sunday, July 19, 2026, with a unique free-admission evening. A special guest for this comeback edition is the Aragonas group by Bartolo Messina, an equestrian artist from Ischia and a star of Cavalluna, one of the most important international equestrian productions. Expect a top-tier performance featuring vaulting, liberty work, and an extraordinary bond between man and horse. The return has been met with exceptional public participation, confirming the deep bond between the event and its city.

The land of the butteri and the horse

Tarquinia is one of the capitals of equestrian culture in the Lazio Maremma: here, the figure of the buttero—the mounted herdsman who still manages wild herds today—is a living part of local identity, also celebrated by the traditional spring Merca. The Tarquinia Horse Show fits into this cultural context and reinterprets it in a spectacular way, creating a dialogue between Maremma tradition and contemporary equestrian arts.

A community event

The return of the show is the result of a collective effort involving, alongside the Maremma Old Style Association, the Municipality of Tarquinia and the Agrarian University of Tarquinia, with the support of the Pro Loco, the Red Cross, and numerous local associations. It is an identity-defining event for the Lazio Region and the entire Tuscia Viterbese coast, combining entertainment, tradition, and regional promotion on a summer evening by the sea.