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Croatia's picturesque town of Barban in Istria provided the perfect stage for the 2025 Balkan Endurance Championships, which wrapped up last Sunday 12 October, after three days of exceptional competition and cultural celebration. Croatia's national team delivered an outstanding performance on home soil, securing team gold, junior gold, and senior bronze in the largest equestrian event ever held in Istria.
Held under the patronage of the European Equestrian Federation (EEF) and organised by the Croatian Equestrian Federation with the Balkan Equestrian Council and Istra Equestrian Club, co-organised by Istrian County and the Municipality of Barban, the event brought together 49 riders from six nations competing across Istria's well-balanced and thoughtfully challenging 107-kilometer course.
With participation from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Slovenia, Turkey, and Croatia, the championships highlighted the depth of talent in the region and offered younger riders invaluable international experience. The event also provided a platform for officials to develop their expertise through collaboration with peers from seven nations, promoting the exchange of experience and strengthening consistency in officiating across the region.
Opening Ceremony Celebrates Tradition and Sport
The event opened on Friday 10 October at Gradišće in a festive atmosphere that perfectly blended Barban's rich cultural heritage with elite sporting competition. The ceremony featured performances by the Barban Majorettes, an impressive parachute flag presentation to Croatian Equestrian Federation President Zdravka Poljaković Skurić, and a demonstration of the legendary Trka na prstenac (Race for the Ring) - a centuries-old Barban equestrian tradition that symbolises the town's chivalric heritage.
Distinguished guests included Croatian Equestrian Federation President Zdravka Poljaković Skurić, Istria County Prefect Boris Miletić, Barban Mayor Andi Kalčić, European Equestrian Federation Board Member and Chair of the Balkan Equestrian Council Alan Andabaka, and Presidential Envoy Tomislav Paškvalin, who officially opened the championship on behalf of President Zoran Milanović.
A particularly emotional highlight came with the appearance of the legendary horse Wolf, the 2009 Balkan Champion, accompanied by Petra Šebelić Uravić. The most decorated Croatian endurance horse has become a living symbol of perseverance, trust, and the profound bond between human and animal. His journey from rescued horse to sporting hero continues to inspire the endurance community.
For Barban and Istria, hosting the championships was both an opportunity and a celebration. The town, known as the cradle of Croatian endurance riding with its centuries-old equestrian tradition of Trka na prstenac, provided the perfect backdrop for the competition. Spectators and participants alike praised the organisation and warm hospitality, underscoring Croatia's growing reputation as a hub for top-level equestrian events.
Championship Results – The Best of the Balkans Crowned
After a thrilling and challenging ride through the Istrian landscape, the best endurance riders and teams of the Balkans were crowned. The competition saw riders complete the demanding 107-kilometer course, testing both the stamina of horse and rider across varied terrain.
SENIORS – Individual Winners
1. Denis Furlanski (BUL) and Debra
2. Irem Kavraz (TUR) and Lavinia
3. Stefano Osip (CRO) and 687 Kadir
JUNIORS – Individual Winners
1. Maja Tasliđić (CRO) and Vezer
2. Angeliki Mermingkidi (GRE) and Kami
3. Radost Bakalova (BUL) and Samodiva
SENIORS – Team Results
1st – Croatia
Stefano Osip and 687 Kadir, Karla Faraguna and 346 Siglavy, Barbara Šošić and 1787 Himalaja, Silvija Vlahović and Zulema di Gallura, Ivan Vodogažec and 80 Said and Chef d'Equipe Zoran Uravić
2nd - Bulgaria
Denis Furlanski and Debra, Dessisalva Aleksieva and Gamilah, Irina Angelova and Zabavna, Deyan Kutelov and Ardanuclu and Chef d'Equipe Zhanina Ivanova
3rd - Turkey
Irem Kavraz and Lavinia, Omar Faruk Ozer and Cabircan, Sakir Tarik Cakir and Camuz Devrani, Turgut Arslan and Adamindibi and Chef d'Equipe Ebru Inan
JUNIORS – Team Results
1st – Bulgaria
Radost Bakalova and Samodiva, Kristina Petrova and Djessika, Nikol Georgieva and Demetra, Maria Yordanova and megan HV, Mira Velitchkova and Fares and Chef d'Equipe Zhanina Ivanova
2nd - Greece
Angeliki Mermingkidi and Kami, Maria-Ioanna Roussi and M Aggeo, Aliki Konstantinidou and Evridika, Areti Patsioura and Salamon Ektoras R, Zoi Tsitseliki Ozggounes and Salamon Salomi R and Chef d'Equipe Sotirios Pasiouras
Croatia's Golden Performance
The Croatian national team, competing on home soil, delivered exceptional results under the guidance of Chef d’equipe Zoran Uravić. In addition to the senior team gold, Croatian junior rider Maja Tasliđić dominated her category to claim individual gold on her horse Vezer, while Stefano Osip riding 687 Kadir secured individual bronze in the senior competition.
"We are proud to have hosted such a prestigious event here in Istria," said Chef d’equipe Zoran Uravić. "Our team's results are exceptional and place Croatia among the strongest endurance nations in the Balkans. This success motivates our riders to aim even higher at European and world levels. Barban, the cradle of Croatian endurance riding, has once again proven its place on the international equestrian map."
Alan Andabaka, EEF Board Member and Chair of the Balkan Equestrian Council in attendance at the championships, praised the overall success of the event adding "The 2025 Balkan Endurance Championships exemplified everything we strive for in equestrian sport, technical excellence, sportsmanship, and the development of young talent. The quality of competition demonstrates the strength and promising future of endurance riding in the Balkan region and a true potential for European endurance growth."
The championship weekend concluded on Sunday 12 October with the Croatia Cup, featuring 20 riders competing on a demanding 83-kilometer course, officially closing an unforgettable weekend of endurance sport in Barban.
Championship Legacy and Future
The Balkan Endurance Championship Barban 2025 was organised by the Croatian Equestrian Federation with the Balkan Equestrian Council and the Istra Equestrian Club, and co-organised by Istrian County and the Municipality of Barban. The championship was held under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Milanović, with support from the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds and was conducted under the rules of the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI).
In collaboration with the organisers and participating nations, the EEF actively supports the Balkan Endurance Championships each year, fostering development opportunities for young riders and women, promoting growth in participation and expertise, and preserving the event’s proud 60-year tradition of excellence in regional equestrian sport.
Barban has confirmed its reputation as the home of endurance riding in Croatia, hosting an event that combined elite sport, cultural heritage, and community pride on the global equestrian stage.
Full results can be viewed here
About Balkan Championships
The Balkan Equestrian Championships, with over 60 years of prestigious tradition, serve as the premier competitive platform for developing equestrian talent across 12 Balkan nations. Organised annually on different showgrounds under the patronage of the EEF with the Balkan Council support and featuring jumping, dressage, endurance, and driving disciplines for children through seniors, these championships provide crucial development opportunities for riders of all levels while fostering regional growth in participation. The event continues to prove its value as a stepping stone to international competition, with numerous Balkan champions advancing to represent their countries on the world stage, making it one of the most important equestrian events in the region.
Following the successful showjumping championships in Belgrade and dressage championships in Tsaratsovo in September this year, the endurance championships in Barban have continued this tradition of excellence. Each edition of these championships across all disciplines demonstrates continued growth in scale and impact, fostering young talent and strengthening the bonds within the Balkan equestrian community.
Images: Balkan Endurance Championships 2025 Barban, Istria (CRO) © Goran Šebelić / Boris Ščitar