LUPA DISTRICT HORSE BARESI IS WASHED AFTER APRACTICE ROUND IN PIAZZA DEL CAMPO IN SIENA,...

Lupa district horse Baresi is washed after a practice round in Piazza del Campo the day before the Siena's famous Palio horse race August 15, 2003. Twice each year, 10 of the city's 17 districts, known as 'contrade', race three times around Siena's central square to win the Palio, a cloth depicting the Madonna. During the tree days before there are six trials, which take place every morning and every evening. For each trial, the horse is accompanied to the Municipality courtyard from the contrada's stables by a dense crowd of people who often start to sing traditional songs. The horse race traces its roots to the 12th century. REUTERS/Tony Gentile PP03080052 TG