Leonhardiritt Pettenbach

The event starts at 9:00 AM at the parish church of Pettenbach, with the blessing taking place around 9:45 AM, followed by the riding mass at the church in Heiligenleithen. For many centuries, parish rides and animal blessings have been held at or near Leonhard churches, as Saint Leonard is the patron saint of farm animals. Emperor Joseph II eventually banned these pilgrimages. The Leonhard ride was introduced in 1931 and has since been held in its traditional form on the Sunday closest to November 6, the feast day of Saint Leonard.

Around the Leonhard festival, numerous foot pilgrims from the surrounding parishes come to Heiligenleithen. The ride is a pilgrimage from the parish church of Pettenbach to the pilgrimage church of Heiligenleithen. Many riding clubs from the area participate with decorated Noriker horses, whose riders, dressed in traditional farming attire, enhance the ride. Another tradition is the spiritual leader. For many years, this role has been fulfilled by Benedictines from the Kremsmünster Abbey, as the parish of Pettenbach is a parish of the monastery.

At the church in Heiligenleithen, the horses and their riders are blessed by a church dignitary and receive a piece of consecrated bread, known as the "Maulgabe." Following this, the riding mass is celebrated in Heiligenleithen. The Leonhard ride is organized by the Leonhard ride committee and is enhanced by traditional associations such as the Goldhauben women and the music club.