It was the hour of the smaller Leonhardiritte: While the big parades in Bad Tölz or Peißenberg had to be canceled again this year due to corona, the traditional events in Bauerbach and Forst took place on the weekend - in the wonderful autumn sun.
Forst / Bauerbach - Several hundred onlookers followed the Leonhardi ride in Forst on Saturday morning, during which a total of 112 horses - also from surrounding communities - were blessed.
Pioneer Simon Kölbl had previously needed two and a half hours to braid his magnificent cold-blooded stallion.
With him he led the train, which also included three carriages, including the one with the Forster brass band.
Klement Kölbl drove the carriage of honor.
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In Bauerbach, around 200 good-humored visitors followed the Leonhardiritt on the roadside on Saturday.
© Gronau
Pastor Georg Fetsch - who rode along himself - held the service and gave the blessing.
Deacon Manuel Reichart was also on horseback.
The car with the St. Leonhard's Church ensured an involuntary “insert” during the successful tour without further incidents: it got stuck in the curve when driving around the church, and a drawbar broke.
The two horses in front were unhitched quickly and calmly and then led separately.
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Pastor Georg Fetsch also came up on his horse to the service on the Wirtsanger in Forst.
© Schregle
On Saturday, as every year, the Leonhardiritt in Bauerbach was preceded by a service in the almost 500-year-old church of St. Leonhard, which is dedicated to the patron saint of horses and cattle.
Chaplain Edwin preached the sermon there, while the meadow on the outskirts was filled with cars and the village street with visitors.
It should have been around 60 horses that then lined up for a neat train in the most beautiful autumn weather.
Many children also rode with us, sometimes safely in the saddle with mom or dad on the big horses, sometimes on a guided pony or on a donkey.
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Chaplain Edwin donated the blessing, for which the horses marched three times around Bauerbach's Church of St. Leonhard.
© Gronau
Of course, some carriages and brass music are also part of the party.
With the blessing "Protect these animals from disease and danger", Chaplain Edwin gave the starting signal, so to speak, at which the horse and rider set in motion for their parade, which led them in a wide arc three times around the church - past around 200 good-humored visitors .
Leonhardiritte was also held in Schongau and Rottenbuch at the weekend in the district.
Gisela Schregle / Emanuel Gronau / Magnus Reitinger