Nobile Contrada dell'
Aquila

The rivalry with Pantera:

Aquila and Pantera are divided by a heated rivalry, although recent and somewhat anomalous. In fact, it was not born for the classic border issues, but for paliesque reasons, not attributable to accidents between the Contrade, but even to an enmity between jockeys. On the occasion of the Palio of 16 August 1936, the Pantera had the fateful Ruello as its fate and entrusted the assembly to Corrado Meloni called Meloncino: the Contrada of Stalloreggi obviously aspired to victory and counted on the support of the Aquila, which at the time she was even an ally. The Contrada del Casato had received Rondinella as a lot and the noble Fernando Leoni, known as Ganascia, had called it up. The problem was that the two jockeys harbored a strong mutual hatred. In the Palio of July 1933, in fact, Ganascia had strongly harassed Meloncino's father, the great jockey Angelo Meloni called Picino, now old and at his last Palio. For this reason (but also for an alleged rivalry in love) Meloncino could not stand Ganascia, who in turn reciprocated the strong hatred. Predictably, Ganascia hindered Meloncino in a hard and decisive way and the Pantera's dreams of glory ended with a ruinous fall.

From this episode the relations between the two Contradas became tense, even if the pre-existing alliance continued to exist on paper: but the contrasts continued also in 1939 and 1946. Until the decisive episode occurred during the titular feast of L'Aquila , September 8, 1947: from a loudspeaker someone addressed heavy offenses against the Contrada della Pantera, whose managers, not satisfied with the lack of apologies from the other party, decided to dissolve the alliance giving life to the rivalry that still opposes the two Contrada.

An eloquent episode of how bitter the rivalry between the two Contradas occurred on the occasion of the Palio of 2 July 1992. Aquila had received a lot the best horse, Floating, and had decided to rely on the experience of the great Andrea Degortes said Aceto (Vinegar). To hinder the enemy, the Pantera instead entrusted Sebastiano Deledda, known as Legno (Wood): to the jockey the management of Stalloreggi explained that the priority, even more than trying to win, was to hinder Aceto and make him lose. Legno followed the instructions given to him to the letter and since the phases of entering the track, even before the move, he repeatedly provoked Aceto. The two shortly exchanged furious weeds: it was the first time that two jockeys had covered before the move, also because it was forbidden by the regulation (in fact, at the Palio concluded, Aceto will be punished with a disqualification Palio and Legno even with five). To the move Legno hindered Aceto severely, making him start last. Thanks to this episode and a pinch of luck, the Pantera jockey even managed to reassemble by wearing his head. In the rear, however, the class of Aceto made the difference and the Aquila managed to move into second position, launching in pursuit of the Pantera. On the second lap, however, Legno committed a serious naivete, falling sensationally near the Fonte Gaia (which is very strange, given that this is not a dangerous point) and allowing the overtaking of Aceto, who thus won his fourteenth with the Aquila and last Palio.

The Pantera redemption took place in the Palio on 2 July 2006. The two districts seemed to be underprivileged on paper, having received two young horses in their second experience in the square (both had made their debut the year before with the Wave): the Pantera he entrusted the mount of Choci to Andrea Mari called Brio, while Aquila called Virginio Zedde called Lo Zedde to guide the Ellery mare. Subverting the odds, the move Aquila started clearly before leading the race with great peace of mind. On the other hand, the Pantera was the last game, but a sensational comeback by Choci catapulted her to third position, behind Aquila and Oca. After passing the Oca too, the Pantera launched in pursuit of the enemy and, thanks to Ellery's tiredness, managed to mock her with a blow from the flag, amid the desperation of the aquilins who took to the track and are now ready to celebrate.