Oswald von Wolkenstein Ride

Oswald von Wolkenstein, a medieval poet and one of the most famous minnesingers ever, was born in 1367 at Trostburg Castle above the village of Ponte Gardena. It was in 1983 that for the first time a tournament was organised in his honour. The riding tournaments include today the most beautiful places of the Alpe di Siusi area: Every single team consists of four persons aged 16 and over. A big party on the central square of Siusi allo Sciliar opens the festival, but already in the weeks before, the teams have to qualify themselves at the "Labyrinth" at the Matzelbödele.

Festivities, a big parade and four tournaments on the third festival day, a Sunday, await you: the lance game at the Calvary in Castelrotto village, the "Labyrinth", where the riders have to pass a pole with their banner, the obstacle gallop races at the enchanting Fiè Pond and - as a finale - the slalom ride in the meadows surrounding Presule Castle.

Speed and skilfulness are as much required as accuracy and team spirit. Sometimes, less than a second decides between the winning and the second-placed team. The ride is open to 36 South Tyrolean teams. And the award? A standard that remains in the possession of the winners until next year, when it's time again for one of the biggest equestrian spectacles of South Tyrol.