The wine horses and the art of harnessing in Caravaca

In Caravaca de la Cruz, one of the most impressive and unique festivities in Spain is celebrated annually: the wine horses. This event, held from May 1st to 5th, is renowned for the splendor of the horses adorned with hand-embroidered garments and their spectacular displays.

The harnessing competition

On May 1st, following the "caballo a pelo" or bareback horse competition, the much-anticipated presentation of the essential elements that will adorn the horses the next day begins: the embroideries and costumes. On this day, local cultural associations, known as peñas, display their horses' attire at various locations throughout the city. The embroideries, crafted with silk and gold threads, depict scenes and characters typical of the festivities and local history, showcasing exceptionally high-quality craftsmanship.

The harnessing competition, held on May 2nd, is the highlight where the horses don these embroidered costumes. From the early hours of the morning, the horses, adorned in their elaborate garments, parade through the streets of Caravaca. The initial gathering takes place at 9:00 AM at "El Templete," and from there, the horses march to the Castle, where they participate in the thrilling race up the castle slope.

History

The tradition of adorning horses with embroideries is relatively recent. During the 19th century and much of the 20th century, horses were decorated with bridal quilts and simple shawls. It wasn't until 1947 that prizes were introduced for both the race and the attire, and a special jury was established to evaluate the costumes. This change marked the beginning of an evolution where simple adornments were replaced by elaborate embroideries, which are now an essential part of the celebration.

The participation of six embroidered garments in the 1992 Universal Exposition in Seville was a significant milestone, highlighting the Caravaca celebration as one of the most important folkloric representations of Murcia. This recognition further enhanced the quality and creativity of the embroideries presented in the annual competition.

Curiosities of the celebration

• Race record: The current record for the race up the castle slope is held by the Peña Artesano with their horse 'Asemil,' which in 2016 achieved a time of 7 seconds and 713 milliseconds, surpassing the previous record by 40 milliseconds.

• Key dates: The days when the wine horses are most prominent are May 1st and 2nd. On May 1st, the bareback horse competition and the mantle exhibition take place, while May 2nd is the day of the grand parade and race.

• The bathing of the Cross: On May 3rd, the ancient ritual of the bathing of the Cross, documented since 1384, takes place. This ritual seeks to bless the fields and ensure good harvests. Thousands of faithful gather to receive drops of Holy Water in a ceremony that remains one of the most moving and crowded moments of the festivities.

The wine horses festivities in Caravaca de la Cruz are a celebration of history, art, and devotion in a spectacular event. The harnessing competition, with its impressive embroideries and the competition on the castle slope, is the heart of this festival, showcasing the skill and creativity of local artisans. To visit the permanent exhibition on the embroideries and the history of this tradition, visit the Museum of the Wine Horses in Caravaca.