The horse of Istrice parish is escorted by its groom after training session of the Palio race in Siena...
The horse of Istrice parish is escorted by its groom after training session of the Palio race in Siena August 15, 2012. Every year on August 16, almost without fail since the mid-1600s, 10 riders compete bareback around Siena's shell-shaped central square in a bid to win the Palio, a silk banner depicting the Madonna and child. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi (ITALY - Tags: SOCIETY ANIMALS SPORT HORSE RACING)