A competing horse in Siena's annual Palio waits to enter the Piazza del Campo. The race, ridden bareback, is around the central piazza, between horses and riders of competing contrade, medieval wards of the city, and is taken very seriously. The race is no holds barred, and even a riderless horse can win. The energy level among these supporters was very high, and you can feel the tension in the horse and man..