Saint Anthony in Spain is the patron saint of all animals. Throughout Spain, on this day, January 17th, people carry (or lead) their pets to churches to bless them for another happy and peaceful year.
Most vividly, in every sense of the word, this holiday is celebrated with a festival in the town of San Bartolome de Pinares, with a population of just over 600 people. The town is located near Madrid, to the west of it, at about 40 km, about the same distance as Toledo.
This annual festival is called Las Luminarias. It is held on the night of January 16-17. Fires are kindled in the town, and daredevils ride horses over these fires (some jump over fires even without horses). It is believed that in this way the animals are purified and protected for the whole next year. This tradition has been going on for more than five hundred years. It is interesting that the culprit of the holiday himself, let me remind you, the patron saint of animals, obviously has nothing against such treatment of his wards.
Animals are prepared in a special way for such a test: their tails are tied up, their manes are braided, and the animals are poured with water immediately before jumping. About a hundred horses participate in this festival.
San Bartolome de Pinares is not the only town where horse jumping over bonfires is organized. For example, it is also practiced in the city of Alosno in the very southwest of Spain, west of Seville.
You can watch a video of the event here:
Location on the map: