In the historical procession, horses accompany the Generale, the Stato Maggiore and the principal figures of the festival, lending solemnity and prestige to ceremonies that have been repeated for over two centuries. But it is in the Battle of the Oranges that their strength and elegance appear together at their fullest, drawing the admiration of all. The Carri da Getto, symbol of the tyrant’s forces against whom the people rebelled, advance drawn by magnificent teams guided by the cavallanti, custodians of a knowledge passed down from generation to generation.
To be a cavallante means far more than driving a cart. It means knowing the animals, preparing them, training them and guiding them safely through the din of battle, the thousands of spectators and the constant hail of oranges. It is a tradition rooted in the rural and craft culture of the Canavese, and one that still represents an essential element of Carnival identity. Around the horses, a heritage of skill, pride and beauty is kept alive. Harnesses, trappings and ornaments are the fruit of meticulous care and craftsmanship that adds to the fascination of the event.
“All of human history and nature lives in the figure of the horse and the rider”: these words, commonly attributed to the Tuscan sculptor Marino Marini, seem to perfectly describe the role that the horse plays in the Historic Carnival of Ivrea. Not a mere scenic element, but a living, pulsating presence in the festival and in the hearts of the Eporediesi, who await it every year with eager anticipation.
