The 2025 Ardia passed with flying colors, both on Sunday, July 6th, and the more intimate race on Monday morning, but was once again conducted flawlessly by sa prima pandela Leonardo Pes. Indeed, in the rerun, as a skilled and experienced rider, he masterfully managed a problem that arose on the downhill bend from "Su Forte" when his mare, "Grazietta," stuck her inside legs in the ground on that particularly soft section and was about to fall. Pes was quick to dismount sideways, otherwise he would have risked a serious fall along with the mare. This prevented the other riders from finding their horses down and falling over. Then sa prima pandela remounted, and the race resumed with the loops at sa Muredda.
The descent from "Su Frontigheddu" had previously been flawless. From here, the race leader then led the large group of riders at a wild gallop to the church for the conclusion of the event. Surrounded by the embrace and affection of family, friends, riders, and the public, Pes received greetings and compliments. The same could be said for the pandeleddas Mario Nieddu and his son Andrea. Everyone expressed their thanks with smiles and relaxed faces, having released the natural tension of having performed an important task in honor of Saint Constantine.
The thanksgiving mass celebrated inside the sanctuary by the parish priest Don Maurizio Demartis in the presence of the same flags, marked the touching religious moment . "In both editions they were beautiful and orderly," commented Tonino Manca, an expert on the Ardia, who commentated the race live on Videolina on Sunday evening together with Simona De Francisci and Antonangelo Liori.
After Mass, the ritual rush back to Su Frontigheddu marked the close of Ardia 2025. Leonardo and Andrea Pes's return home was particularly moving, where they were greeted with a round of applause along with a procession of the Ales marching band, riflemen, knights, and guests, who then joined in the traditional invitation. The same moments of conviviality were shared in the homes of the parish priest, Mayor Salvatore Pes, and the second flag bearer, Mario Nieddu. In the afternoon, the procession for San Costantino was well attended, effectively marking the end of a long and intense two-day celebration for the Sedilese community.
The initial results of the event are absolutely positive, with the organization running flawlessly. The members and volunteers of the Santu Antinu association, led by Angelo Porcu, and the "fusileris" association, headed by Mario Melosu, performed excellently. The civil defense safety effort, coordinated by Marco Cuscusa, involved over 100 people.
No less demanding was the work of the local police and law enforcement agencies—the Carabinieri, the Guardia di Finanza, and the Forestry Corps—who ensured everything was running smoothly. And now, just enough time to catch their breath, attention turns to the Ardia on foot on Sunday, July 20th.
