In Siena, Italy, a talented but reckless young jockey threatens local tradition when she vows to be the first woman in recent history to race The Palio, a centuries' old, rough-and-tumble race around the city plaza.

SYNOPSIS:

Siena, Italy. Piet Toscano, 20, is an equestrian who trains in dressage during the morning but sneaks out to the local race track in the afternoon. The thunder of horses’ hooves, breakneck speed, finish line -- these are Piet’s real loves. She has raw, if undeveloped talent, but she has flaws. She’s reckless and favors speed over strategy. She’s got a prickly exterior, from years of trying to insinuate herself in the man’s world of racing.

It's there, on the track, where an American agent named Callahan sees Piet. He’s impressed by her skill, but he’s on his way to Milan to find a race. Piet suggests that he stay in Siena for the town’s centuries’ old race called the Palio – and train her as his jockey.

There’s a problem. The Palio dates back to medieval times, and the last time a woman jockey participated in the modern era, it was 1957. Piet has a competitive streak, and when her longtime friend and fellow jockey named Salazar gets picked to race the Palio, she wants in.

On the road to the race, Piet faces roadblocks that she conquers with her ingenuity and relentless drive. But when she’s part of a tragic accident, she’s prepared to relinquish her dream. In the end, she comes to terms to with an early loss in her life and learns to be a better rider by being a partner with the horse. She wins the Palio, clinging to the horse for dear life.