As it has for over 300 hundred years, July 2nd saw the running of a spirited horse race in the sea-shelled shape Piazza del Campo in Siena, Italy. Known as Il Palio, the race occurs twice a summer. Thousands of people gather in the medieval square to watch 10 riders sprint through three laps, all hoping their representative jockey will secure a victory.

Siena is divided into 17 Contrade or neighborhoods, and each enters a horse and a rider in the race, although only 10 make it to the finals. The neighborhoods each have their own banners and mascots which date back to the middle ages.

The race has been pitting neighborhoods against each other for centuries, and the first Palio was run in 1656. The race rarely lasts longer than a few minutes, and the winner is determined by which horse -- not which rider -- crosses the finish line first.

Last year's winner Selva (Forest) crossed the line without its jockey, after the jockey had been thrown off mid-lap.

The competition and rivalries are intense, and the winner gets a whole year of bragging rights. This year, the Oca -- or goose neighborhood -- won.

Clad in red, green and white, Oca supporters rushed the track after the victory, congratulating the horse, whose name was Mississippi, and hoisting its jockey Giovanni Atzeni on their shoulders.

Siena Palio
Jockey Giovanni "Titti" Atzeni -- this year's winner -- falls from his mount during the Palio horse race in central Italy's city of Siena July 2, 2006 Reuters
Siena Palio
A view of Del Campo square during the last day of practice for the Siena Palio horse race in Siena Reuters
Siena Palio
Didimo, the horse of Oca parish, is escorted by its groom after the last day of practice for the Siena Palio horse race in Siena, Italy, August 15, 2006. Each July 2 and August 16, almost without fail since the mid-1600s, 10 riders have hurtled bareback around Siena's shell-shaped central square in a desperate bid to win the Palio, a silk banner depicting the Madonna and child. Reuters
Siena Palio
A priest blesses a jockey and his horse, of the 'Noble Contrada of Pantera (panther)', before they take part in the Palio race in Siena, Italy August 16, 2006. Reuters
Siena Palio
A pack of horses make a turn during the Palio horse race in Siena's main square Reuters
Palio 2011
Jockey Giuseppe Zedde (R) of Bruco (caterpillar) parish, is rescued after falling from his horse during the Palio horse race in Siena July 2, 2011. Jockey Atzeni of the Oca parish won the Palio horse race. Reuters
Palio 2011
Jockey Giovanni Atzeni (R) of the Oca (Goose) parish is celebrated by his supporters after winning the Palio horse race in Siena July 2, 2011 Reuters