We Won the August Palio!!

Caterpillar/Bruco Palio Victory 16th August 2008
The Most Outstanding of them all

It is with colossal satisfaction and pride that I have the pleasure to announce that the Noble Contrada of Bruco (Caterpillar) won the 16th of August 2008 Palio in the Piazza del Campo in Siena. The third victory this century, the 4th in the last 12 years. Not bad for a Contrada (neighbourhood) that last century remained without a victory for 41 endless years and won 1 Palio in 75. The wind of fate has decided to change direction and is blowing decisively in our favour now. From being mocked as the eternal losers, we now rightly march with our heads high through the city streets in Siena. We can feel the looks of envy and jealousy of the inhabitants of the other 16 Contradas glued upon us as we proudly show off the Palio banner conquered and deservedly won with merit last Sunday in an epic race.
Beneath the heraldic coat of arms of my Contrada an ancient insignia reveals “Come Rivoluzion Son il Mio Nom” that signifies “Like a Revolution My Name Sounds” and beyond doubt Bruco revolutionized the subtle intriguing and complicated equilibriums of what is probably the last true medieval tournament remained in the world. Yes, because Bruco triumphed in what was probably the most astonishing and surprising unforeseen victory of the last decades and thus even more satisfying than ever for the entire populace of Via del Comune (our district main street) bearing in mind also that we weren’t expecting to take part in this Palio.
In fact as we had raced both July and August 2007 we had a 30% chance of participating in each race this year and that only if we got the random lottery pick. In the July event we were very fortunate and we did get picked but the surprises weren’t over for me.
Days later I was approached by the Vicar that communicated that I had been chosen to represent the Contrada together with another twelve in the historical parade that precedes the race. I couldn’t find adequate words. I was literally flattered. Regrettably though fate this time turned its back to me as I injured my foot and despite all my efforts and determination the pain was too strong and in tears I was forced to renounce. I was aware when I pronounced my decision that it would have been unlikely to be given a second chance.
However we did get assigned a decent horse and hired the jockey Tittia who won his first Palio in July 2007 on Goose to ride him. Porcupine obtained the best horse and hired the pluri-victorious legendary jockey Trecciolino; it was apparent that Porcupine sought after this Palio desperately and invested a great sum to make sure they would win it. The race was set, Porcupine dashed in the lead, the other Contradas remained behind and Trecciolino won his eleventh Palio completely undisturbed dominating the entire three laps.
On the 6th of July all of Siena gathered once more in the square to follow the picking of the three additional fortunate Contradas that would join Eagle, Panther, Goose, Tower, Forest, Sea-Shell and Turtle for the August event. At 7.00pm the sound of the clarions echoed throughout the square announcing the pick. The populace of Bruco went wild when the window on the town hall opened and saw that the first flag that was hung up on the pinnacle was ours followed by Ram and Dragon. Fate decided we take part once again and the amazing coincidence was that Caterpillar, Ram and Dragon had also been extracted in August 2007 and what’s more in the exact same order! We couldn’t believe how blessed we were as we going to participate in our 5th consecutive Palio. As we marched back to our headquarters overjoyed with delight someone pointed out that in this Palio there would have been 4 Contradas bearing green in their flag; Goose., Forest, Caterpillar and Dragon and in Siena we believe that when this occurs disaster is bound to happen.
On the 9th of August the Palio banner was presented in the town hall, Mario Ceroli the designated artist crafted a gorgeous painting that when uncovered was greeted by a standing ovation. On the 12th of August the day preceding the horse assignment during the dinner in our splendid gardens the Vicar approached me and communicated that the committee had decided to give me a second opportunity, my foot had recovered and so I accepted without any hesitation.
13th August was the day we went to get our horse, the ten captains of the participating Contradas decided to select an experienced lotto of horses with only 3 debs. Yet again, in a sizzling hot and packed square, the mayor randomly pulled out one by one the name of each horse and randomly assigned them to each participating Contrada.
Selva got Giordhan and left the square in silence as did Eagle and Sea-Shell that obtained the debs Ilon and Guess. Turtle was assigned Elimia and were extremely satisfied by the pick. We attained Elisir that had raced before but anonymously and our expressions on our faces were grim as we left the square with our horse. One of the two big names, Fedora Saura that won July 2007 went to the Dragons that roared with delight while the victorious horse of July 2008, Gia del Menhir, went to Tower. They departed the square in silence and tears in respect of a twenty year old member that days before was involved in a dramatic car accident and was in coma (was this due to the 4 greens?). Choci that won in 2006 was obtained by Ram to the joy of their members, Elfo a decent Palio horse to Goose and finally the last deb, Istriceddu, to Panther that according to experts had great credentials.
At this point the captains needed to sign up the jockeys according to the characteristics and qualifications of the horses
Eagle hired Paride De Mauro aka Tiburzi , Turtle got hold of Luigi Bruschelli aka Trecciolino (the legend with 11 victories in 33 Palios raced) and became automatic favourites together with Dragon with Jonathan Bartoletti aka Scompiglio. Tower chose Andrea Mari aka Brio. Nicchio hired Alberto Ricceri known as Salasso. Panther Walter Pusceddu nick-named Bighino, Selva Antonio Villella aka Sgaibarre, Goose Giovanni Atzeni aka Tittia, Ram Luca Minisini aka Dè. Our Capitano Gianni Falciani contacted Giuseppe Zedde, a jockey he had discovered years ago and that had raced his first ever Palio for Bruco in 2002. Gianni himself had conferred upon him the name Gingillo (literally trinket). He had since raced other 7 times for other Contradas with no victories; never leaving any positive impressions. We had no hopes, an anonymous horse a quack rider and further more with 2 recent victories no need to waste money. It was clear to everyone that this Palio was going to be conquered by some more “famished” Contrada.
All the same the atmosphere in our headquarters was exciting, we spent the rest of the 13th making puns on our jockey and we accompanied the horse back to the square singing our hymns out loud. During the trial the Ram horse collapsed, fortunately without consequences and dinner that night turned into a memorable banquet.
14th of August during the morning trial this time the Eagle fell without damages and in the evening the third trial was won by Turtle. In Contrada we continued to sing and drink wine making toasts to Gingillo, Elisir and the Nobile Bruco.
15th of August we laid the tables for over 2000 people and it started to drizzle then it rained, then it poured, the evening trial was cancelled and so inevitably was the banquet. The track turned into a mud pitch, the risk of the Palio being delayed became a serious possibility. The curse of the 4 greens again struck the city and to make things even worse news spread that a young member died tragically in the Sea-Shell Contrada.
16th of August the sun was shining in the blue sky but the track was still too wet and so the final morning trial was also inevitably cancelled. It was the first time since World War 2 that two consecutive trials were annulled, however the track was covered with more sand and at 2.00pm the local council announced that the Palio was going to be raced. In the meantime more shocking news was announced: Selva decided at the last minute to change jockey and hired the deb Ygor Argomenni aka Smarrancio.
I had lunch in Contrada with the other companions that would represent the Bruco in the parade. I sported yellow blue and green tights tucked in brown medieval slippers, a puffy shirt under a thick green velvet coat underneath a cape and a woolly blue cap on my head. I felt sorry for my companions that were clad in cumbersome armour and carrying heavy swords, lances and flags; all I had to do was keep my hands on the belt buckle.
Our Rector and Captain gave us a short briefing after the blessing of Elisir in our chapel, they encouraged us to keep a straight face and reminded us of whom and what we represented. All of a sudden I started to panic and while climbing the steep street of my Contrada I felt the tremendous responsibility, my legs started to shake, and my mouth went dry and my hands were sweating cold. I couldn’t wait for it all to be over. We entered the main street and then paid visit to the bank headquarters where our alfieri executed the art of throwing the flag. They performed with so much dignity; it seemed to me that they were tossing together with the flags their hearts in the immaculate blue sky. We then had to march through the crowded main street up to the Duomo and then finally enter the Campo square. One of the horses of the Police force (Carabinieri) that open the parade by charging around the piazza fell and was injured delaying the entrance by half an hour (again the 4 greens?). Finally it was our turn; we entered with a slow pace following the rhythms of the bell tower. In 40 minutes it was over. We had to change into a more comfortable medieval costume in the town hall and sit on the bleachers reserved for the participants of the parade. At 7.15pm out came the horses accompanied by a deafening collective roar of the over 30,000 spectators. The jockeys and horses trotted to the start known by the Siennese as la mossa where they awaited the line up (also randomly picked).
After 50 nerve racking minutes where rivals Goose and Tower, Panther and Eagle tried to obstruct each other and following three false starts finally Dragon entered and the race commenced. The contest began and emotions ran wild as we all got caught up in the electric atmosphere lived in the three breakneck laps around the treacherous track. Dragon dashed in the lead, we had a terrible start and were way behind in eighth place. Panther crashed on the mattresses at the first turn of San Martino and at the turn of Casato Dragon fell, the Goose was now in front while Gingillo and Elisir started to catch up, they were 6th, 5th 4th then in 3rd.place. Goose seemed to worry more about enemy Tower leaving us space on his right, Gingillo took advantage of the gap and at the beginning of the third and final lap overtook him tackling the last turn of San Martino perfectly, and we were in the lead with half a lap to go! We started screaming with excitement and when Gingillo crossed the finish line after the third Casato with his arm raised in triumph we jumped into the square embracing all the members indistinctively with tears in our eyes. We proudly collected the Palio that days before I had longed to see hanging in the hall of victories of my Contrada. First, following tradition we carried it to the Duomo and then into our headquarters. My first thoughts went to all the Caterpillar members that had recently departed this world, I couldn’t hold back my grief and wept for hours not yet realizing what an amazing Palio we had won. The night was long, we drank plenty of wine, we sung and paraded back and forth to the square waving our flags and beating the drums.
Now we shall party every single night until the conclusion on the 11th of October with the big victory party in our streets and with the hero the winning horse that will get the head of the table.

What else can I say? I had somehow predicted a victory, we had won last century in 07; 12; 22; 55 and 96 the sum of 7 12 22 55 curiously add up to 96. This century we won in 03 and 05 and so it seemed obvious that 08 were supposed to be our victory year.
The Palio is the Palio, it is a fantasy where the attitudes and the resentments of a city divided into 17 districts converge, true there are futile and tenacious rancors, but also the respect of the enemy Contrada is lived with a sense of esteem and dignity in its fullness.
I wish to thank herein my Rector Fabio Pacciani, the Captain Gianni Falciani, and the whole Contrada for accepting me in their big family.
I wish also to thank Stephanie, Paul and Ashley that were with me the day we got extracted to race in August. Denise that stayed an extra day to bring luck for the horse assignment Diana, Rob, Lou, Colleen, Susan and Kip that shared the victory with me and all of you that follow the Palio from the US. I’m sure that the energy and passion you transmit must have an important role in all our recent victories. Last but by no means least I wish to express thankfulness to my Caterpillar godson Iain that I baptized as a Contrada member and who follows the Palio in Chicago with so much fervour as if he was a native born Senese.
I invite you to view the pictures of me in the attachment and the more than 1000 victory photos on the following link http://lnx.fotostudiodonati.it/index.php?gallery=43&page=5
I shall be producing a new Palio documentary focused on this legendary victory that will be available in October and that I shall be presenting in LA on the 24th October.

Grazie Mille!!

Dario http://www.dariocastagno.com/