ARDIA – SEDILO – 6 TO 7 JULY

The Ardia is a wild ride on horseback made in honor of St. Constantine, which takes place every year in Sedilo the evening of July 6 and is repeated on the morning of 7 and remembers the Battle of Milvian Bridge between Constantine and Maxentius. It is led by a capocorsa, knows pandela first, followed by two other riders, and knows he knows secunda third, and three stocks representing Constantine and his army. We participate every year, about 100 horsemen, however, represent the paganiguidati by Maxentius. It all starts with the inscription in a register, whose contents are known only to the pastor, in which the boys who want to do capocorsa, they enroll. Registration takes place at a young age is the passion for horses and for a promise to the saint, the years pass before being chosen and the choice is made by the pastor in the chronological order of registration. The pastor chooses capocorsa, knows first pandela, and tells them the time of the feast of St. Anthony, January 16. The Wicker Man chooses, in turn, two other people, the second and third pandela, two esteemed and trusted people who will follow him (it’s almost like choosing witnesses for the wedding!). Each of the three will have to choose an escort then, three other riders who have the arduous task of keeping at bay the riders so that, when you leave, do not exceed the capicorsa. The names will remain secret until May 15, the day of St. Isidore, where, during the Mass, the parish priest from the solemn announcement and the three riders made their first official outing for the procession. On 29 June, the day dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, the three capicorsa, trying in an official way to test their horses for their preparation. From the day after the other riders can try out the route officially Ardia with their horses. The first Sunday of the festival there will be the preparation of cartridges, loaded with blanks, to be used by riflemen Ardia during the race and will have the dual responsibility to warn the faithful who find themselves in the sanctuary and also the arrival of the Ardia to guide the horses during the journey. The riflemen are invited one by one from capocorsa. The festival begins July 5 with a Mass celebrated in the sanctuary in the afternoon. On the morning of 6, the three pandelas, riders will participate in the race and hundreds of faithful, participating in the Mass. I go down to the sanctuary capicorsa horse having to take care of horses other than those who will use the evening for ardia, this is done to prevent the animals that will agitate or get hurt. During the Mass, the priest invokes the Holy to protect riders during the race and the solemn blessing. On the evening of 6, all of the riders go home pandela the first to go, then, all together in the square where the Church will be delivered and where the flags will be given the blessing. Thus began the procession to the shrine was opened by the banda music and led by the pastor and the Mayor on horseback who will be joined by two policemen in full uniform. Arrived at the beginning of the road that will lead down to the church, of “opposite mannu”, the priest imparts a second blessing. The Knights continue their descent until you reach “of frontigheddu” where they will receive a third blessing. At this point, the parish priest, the mayor and the police will go to church and while the horses are waiting, quivering, the moment of departure. The rifle will shoot blanks to tell the capocorsa the arrival of the priest and the mayor and the church, this will be the sign that the Ardia can leave. From this moment all eyes are fixed on the first pandela that, at any moment, decide to leave. The time of departure is exciting for those who dared to run for the viewer because it will give rise to a wild ride that will leave everyone breathless. The first pandela decided to leave and, given a signal to the other two, spurs his horse down the steep descent. Then will come over to the church. Behind him the 100 horses in the dust and the noise of hooves, try to follow him as closely as possible. Arriving at the church were made of pitch speed, usually 5 or 7, however, an odd number, and every lap the three pandelas will stop at the church to make the sign of the cross, a sign that he had led in the fight against Maxentius, Constantine bringing to victory. When the first pandela decide the horses continue their run down from the church to “Muredda knows” where the facts will be run clockwise and others counterclockwise to return to the church concludes thus dared. Eventually pandelas attend the Mass of thanksgiving. They will return later in the country announced by fucileri where people almost expect them as the winners of a battle. 7 is repeated throughout the morning, with a calmer, more familiare.La evening of 7 is then the procession in honor of the saint. Who does not know or can not ride a horse to participate all’Ardia feet. This has its capicorsa and its stock, one more than the horse, chosen with the same procedures stated above. The race has the same performance of the horse but it will be a feast for all boys and girls, boys and girls, adults and elderly who will compete in the race. The atmosphere is definitely more serene but equally exciting, especially for those who lead the race. The dared walk takes place two Sundays after the horse.