TRAUNSTEIN, Germany (AP) – Hundreds of riders in a Bavarian town have braved heavy snow for a traditional Easter Monday procession, taking their horses to a local church to receive blessings.
Traunstein’s Easter horseback parade, the Georgiritt, dates back to at least the 18th century. Some 400 horses, led by riders in traditional local costume, process to a church in nearby Ettendorf where both riders and horses are blessed.
Along with the procession, the town in Germany’s southeastern corner also stages a saber dance that is meant to symbolize the victory of spring over winter.