Alessandro Piana di Ploaghe is the new winner of the IX edition of the Palio di Santu Bainzu . The rider aboard “Temperino” completed ten rings with the fastest classification time (24.72), achieved after a spectacular equestrian competition held in front of the evocative Aragonese Tower, a historic monument that recalls the identity of Porto Torres. In second place was the veteran Emilio Francesco Settembrini from Santa Maria Coghinas who, with the English thoroughbred “Clara de S'ena”, completed eight rings (21.56), and, behind him, Marco Pittui from Codrongianos with “Ziu Brinca”, who also finished with eight rings but with a faster time (22.93). The fourth rider, Bruno Pulina from La Corte-Sassari with “Spiritosa” (24.99), completed seven rings, and Gavino Manca from Nulvi with the horse “Adone de Montentosu” (23.05), the winner of last year's edition, completed six rings.
The event, presented and narrated by speaker Salvatore Azzena together with the historic epigraphist Giuseppe Piras, was a resounding success with the public, a show in front of a large crowd competing for the overall prize pool of 3,600 euros.
Award for best harness to Marika Cugusi, donated by Etnos members.
Twenty-one riders, including female riders and pairs, performed a series of performances on the 320-meter track, a course where the goal was to hit as many rings as possible out of three, placed three meters high and 40 meters apart. The event also featured a performance by the Giara Oristanese Equestrian Association's mini pairs. The jury, chaired by Adonella Mellino, consisted of starting judge Costantino Sanna, finishing judge Gianni Soro, and ring judges Romano Chessa, Alessandra Onidi, and Giulia Vendler. The event concluded with the award ceremony and a musical evening in Piazza Eroi dell'Onda, where, starting at 9:00 PM, the "Li Bainzini" folk group from the Etnos association performed, followed by a concert by the Carletto ei suoi mostri live band.
The event, organized by the Etnos association with the support and patronage of the Porto Torres Municipality, opened at 5:30 pm with the inaugural parade departing from Corso Vittorio Emanuele, led by the Li Bainzini Folk Group of the Etnos association, followed by groups in traditional dress from Valledoria, Sennori, Sassari, Bonorva, Telti, Castelsardo, and Alghero, and by the horses, riders, and amazons who took part in the thrilling equestrian joust. The palio, sponsored by the Municipality of Porto Torres and the Fondazione Sardegna, was held thanks to the support of the Municipal Tourist Office and several volunteers from the Volunteer Council, the Cngei Scouts, the Naval League, and individual citizens, as well as the merchants who sponsored the event.
