A procession on horseback, called Rait de San Linert in the Alta Badia, is held every year in honour of St. Leonard of Noblac
Leonard of Noblac (or of Limoges or Noblet) is one of the most famous Saints in Europe - more than 600 churches and chapels are dedicated to him. Leonard was born around 500 AD in Gaul, France. Actually he should join the army, but he decided to follow Saint Remigius, Bishop of Reims, and to dedicate his life to war prisoners. Also in his days as a hermit in the forest of Limousin, he dedicated his life to the sick and those in need.
First venerated as the patron saint of prisoners, he is nowadays considered the patron saint of cattle, especially of horses. His feast day is November 6 - around this day in late autumn he is honoured in many villages between Bavaria and South Tyrol with a procession on horseback.
Also in Alta Badia: representatives of all Ladin valleys in their traditional costumes take part in the Saint Leonard horse parade, called Rait de San Linert in Ladin language. Protagonists are, however, the festively decorated Haflinger and Noriker horses, which parade through the centre of San Leonardo, a hamlet belonging to the municipality of Badia. Of course there are also fringe events as well as traditional Ladin delicacies.
