Croatian Show Jumping Gem Among World Elite: Lea Djelmić Achieves Historic Success

Croatian show jumping rider Lea Djelmić has achieved a historic success, qualifying for the World Championship in Aachen, Germany. This marks a significant milestone, as she is the first Croatian rider to reach this elite level in three decades, following in the footsteps of her mother, Andrea Novak, who last competed at this level 30 years ago.

Competing against the world's best, the 21-year-old Djelmić rode her horse Dukat over obstacles as high as 1.60 meters. The World Championship gathered 150 rider-horse pairs, and Djelmić's performance was described as brilliant, representing Croatia at the highest level of competition.

Her development is attributed to the continuous, systematic, and organized work led by her mother, Andreja, who has been instrumental in managing the entire project. Djelmić's father, Damir, aunt Marina, grandfather Zdravko, and grandmother Marija, all deeply involved in equestrian sports throughout their lives, have also contributed to her success.

However, Djelmić's remarkable achievements are shadowed by a lack of adequate support. The Croatian Equestrian Federation's assistance is insufficient for her level of competition, and there are no sponsors to support her development, horse acquisition, or the necessary infrastructure. Despite these challenges, Djelmić is preparing to defend her title at the Balkan Championship in Greece in nine months.