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Story highlights
As the dust settles on Italy's Palio de Siena, CNN looks at wild horse festivals
Includes fire leaping in Spain and samurai battles in Japan
A world away from traditional races such as Royal Ascot or Kentucky Derby
Some ancient horse shows date back to 10th Century
Each summer, more than 50,000 people pour into a cobblestone square in Tuscany for a gut-wrenching 90-seconds.
That’s all it takes for the flamboyantly dressed jockeys of Italy’s legendary horse race – Palio di Siena – to race bareback around the medieval square.
It’s been called the “most dangerous horse race in the world” – about as far away as you can get from the genteel green lawns of Britain’s Royal Ascot or the multimillion prize money bestowed on America’s Kentucky Derby.
Now as the dust settles on this year’s colorful Palio di Siena, CNN takes a look at five weird and wonderful horse festivals from across the world.
Palio di Siena, Italy
On two days each year, the pretty town of Siena in northern Tuscany is transformed into an elaborate medieval race track, with 10 riders careering around the iconic city square three times.
Dating back to the 17th century, each rider represents their local neighborhood, competing not just for the coveted victory banner – but good luck for the coming year.
Read: Hot to trot – jockey fashion secrets
Luminarias Festival, Spain
Fire and horses may seem like an unlikely combination, but that’s exactly the dramatic scene which takes place in a small town in central Spain each year.
Horse are ridden over blazing tree branches as part of the Luminaries Festival in San Bartolome de Pinares, in an effort to purify and protect the animals.
The controversial tradition, which has been criticized by animal welfare groups, dates back 500 years and is held on the eve of Saint Anthony’s Day.
Watch: From camel racing to prized jockey
White Turf, Switzerland
From fiery Spain to snowy Switzerland – there’s not a bonfire in sight at the glitzy White Turf racing carnival, held on the frozen Lake St Moritz.
The remarkable competition includes skijoring, where horses thunder around the icy track while their riders hold on for dear life to a harness at the back, trailing behind on skis.
In such extreme weather – around -20C – fur coats are the order of the day for the champagne-sipping spectators who are perhaps better known for their luxury lifestyles than racing tips.
Read: Cool racing – horses battle on snow
Pasola Festival, Indonesia
The glitz and glam of snow-capped St Moritz couldn’t be further from the spear-wielding horsemen of Indonesia’s annual Pasola Festival.
The fierce festival – held on the island of Sumba – sees two teams go head-to-head on elaborately decorated horses, throwing blunt spears at each other as part of an ancient ritual battle.
It is believed that every drop of blood spilled will bring a good harvest.
Soma-Nomaoi Festival, Japan
If you like your ancient festivals a little less violent, there’s the 1,000-year-old Soma-Nomaoi wild horse chase in central Japan.
The three-day festival sees samurai horsemen compete in different challenges – from racing over a one kilometer track to battling over sacred flags.
Dressed in extravagant armor, helmets, and carrying swords, the fantastical warriors appear to have stepped straight out from the 10th Century.
