- Title: ITALY: DONKEY FESTIVAL ENDS IN FISTICUFFS.
- Date: 17th August 1997
- Summary: ALLUMIERE, ITALY (AUGUST 17, 1997) (REUTERS TELEVISION - ACCESS ALL) 1. DONKEY CALLED HORACIO (EVENTUAL WINNER) BEING LED DOWN STREET 2. ANOTHER DONEKY 3. TRAINER GABRIELE GRANELLO SAYING THE TRAINING CONSISTS OF WALKING AND TROTTING OVER 9KMS BUT EVERY 10 DAYS HE HAS A GALLOP (ITALIAN) 4. WIDE OF PIAZZA WITH HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE IN CROWD 5. CROWDS 6. DONKEYS IN PENS, RACE BEGINS 7. CROWDS BOOING 8. FIGHT BETWEEN TWO JOCKEYS 9. FIGHT BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE IN AUDIENCE, POLICE INTERVENING 10. SECOND RACE BEGINS 11. HORACIO WINS RACE, CROWD LEAPS ON WINNER 12. POLVERIERA DISTRICT CLAIM PALIO BY TAKING BANNER Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
- Embargoed: 1st September 1997 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: ALLUMIERE, ITALY
- City:
- Country: Italy
- Reuters ID: LVAVU6VPPAVTRCL1WYL01BFA11R
- Story Text: Hundreds of people packed the small town of Allumiere on Sunday (August 17) to cheer on their local donkeys as they pitted their speed against rivals from other regions in an annual race that dates back to Medieval times.
The long-eared steeds were vying for the prize of the much-coveted 'palio' or banner depicting the patron saint of the town, which lies 80 kilometres (49 miles) northwest of Rome.
The donkeys cost approximately 15 million lire (8,000 U.S.
dollars) each, and train nearly all year round to get into shape for the contest.
Gabriele Granello, trainer of a donkey called Ronaldo said his prize animal had a strict training schedule of walking and trotting but added that the secret was in the galloping practice which took place every ten days.
Excitement reached fever pitch during the two-heat race when one district's donkey was accused of blocking the path of a rival.
Police were called in to calm the crowd and a third round was instigated between districts Polveriera and Nona to settle the crisis.
But Polveriera was declared the winner after Horacio sped to victory for the second year running, sending the crowd wild and securing the treasured palio.
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