Josipa (23) Dreams of the Olympics: 'Here's How I Started Riding Horses...'
Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Josipa Koletić, a 23-year-old rider, is a key figure for Croatia at the World Cup show jumping competition returning to Croatia after 18 years.
- Koletić is heavily involved in the event's organization, prioritizing it over her competitive role, and aims to bring the tournament to a four-star level in the future.
- The event at Etno Farma Mirnovec has attracted over 300 horses, exceeding expectations, and will feature a unique drone show.
Croatia is proud to host the World Cup show jumping competition for the first time in 18 years at the Etno Farma Mirnovec club. Josipa Koletić, a 23-year-old rider and integral part of the organizing team, expressed her dedication to making the event a success. "It would be great if I could just compete, but I am involved 100 percent in the organization," she stated, highlighting that the organizational aspect currently holds more importance for her than the competition itself.
Bilo bi super kada bih se samo natjecala, no uključena sam sto posto u organizaciju.
Koletić emphasized the collective effort behind the event, stating, "There are so many tasks that, of course, I have a large team with me." Despite anticipating challenges, she is confident in the team's ability to resolve them. The competition has already surpassed expectations, with over 300 horses registered, creating a waiting list.
The club's ambition extends beyond this year's two-star event; the goal is to elevate it to a four-star tournament, similar to the one held 18 years ago. This requires a strong financial partner, a role previously filled by Samsung. Croatia's appeal as a destination in Eastern Europe provides a strategic advantage, and the club aims to host the Balkan Championship or Nations Cup in the future.
Hoće li rezultat trpjeti, vidjet ćemo.
A special attraction planned is a drone show, described as unprecedented for equestrian tournaments, with approximately a hundred drones expected to create a visual spectacle, possibly depicting a horse jumping over an obstacle. The event will also feature top Croatian riders, including Lea Djelmić, Kim Vukadin, and Andrija Hrgović, using the World Cup as preparation for the Nations Cup.
Jako sam ponosna što smo domaćini jednog ovako velikog turnira i organizacijski dio u ovom trenutku možda mi je važniji od natjecateljskog.
Koletić reflected positively on her season so far, calling it potentially her most successful. The article highlights the significance of hosting such a major international event in Croatia, showcasing the country's growing capabilities in equestrian sports and its potential to become a leading regional hub.
Kad me netko pita za što sam točno zadužena na Svjetskom kupu, onda slobodno mogu reći – za sve.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Večernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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