The main idea is to re-originate the historical and cultural heritage of the horse racing tradition in Istria while simultaneously increasing the value of touristic offer by creating the most modern hippodrome complex in this part of Europe. The Austrohungarian monarchy has recognized this region in 1924 when they started breeding their horses in Istria and organized the first Polo game on the Brijuni island (now National park of Brijuni islands).

The Equestrian Park Hippodrome Vodnjan project is conceived as a multi-functional Hippodrome Complex - encompassing Horse Racing Tracks, Polo Fields, Dressage Areas, exclusive retail spaces, entertainment amenities, accomodation...

In Istria in this moment there are more than 350 purebred horses on pansion and there is as well the possibility of organizing shows on Brijuni islands or in the Roman amphitheatre in Pula.


GENERAL PROGRAM SCHEME

EMIR MEHMEDAGIC

The best prize owner, breeder and trainer of racehorses in Croatia, Emir Mehmedagić is born on April 11, 1971.

His professional career started in 2000 in Budapest, as a coach in the gallop training center. By buying his first racing horses at auction in Baden-Baden in 2001, successfully enters the top of the European equestrian sport. During 2003. and 2004., in international competitions in Budapest, Zagreb, Belgrade, Bratislava and Baden Baden, his racing horses starting to win trophies. Mr. Mehmedagić achieved victory in 4 class races: Trial Stakes, Derby, St. Legger and Oaks.

With 5 young training racehorses, bought 2010. at the world famous auction “Newmarket” (Suffolk, UK), at the racetrack in Budapest in 2012/2013, Mr. Mehmedagić, won over 25 trophies!

As a licensed trainer of Croatian Gallop Association and resident of Peroj - small town in the south of Istria, as well, Mr. Mehmedagić supports the initiative for the development of equestrian sport in Istria and he is ready to help investors in the realization of this noble vision.


PROJECT DESCRIPTION

“The building is a ring-shaped central-courtyard typology positioned flat on the site in order to have a gentle “figure in landscape” appeal, with public entry arranged at the higher level and service access on the floor below. Throughout the circular main building there is an emphasis on natural light and views: loggia-like view spaces on the upper level are fully glazed, as are the commercial spaces and entertainment amenities on the ground floor, and all look out across the horse racing tracks. Balconies are designed as an insidebuilding- envelope element circumnavigating 360 degrees the entire building in order to maximise views across the surrounding Istrian countryside.“

Atelier Bruno Juricic

PROJECT LOCATION - CITY OF VODNJAN

VODNJAN/DIGNANO is a little town situated in the south-west of Istria 11,7 kilometres from the city of Pula, at an elevation of 135 metres. It is an area of ancient traditions developing on the remnants of the prehistoric forts which have existed in the wider area since ancient times. VODNJAN/DIGNANO managed to maintain its outstanding characteristics of a Medieval urban and rural centre, so that today it resembles a man with a rich history.

Its wide area with innumerable characteristic kažuni or casite (little stone houses) built in the technique of dry-stone walls denoting property stands as witness to a millennium of its inhabitants being engaged in agriculture, especially olive-growing and wine-growing as the basis of their own material prosperity.

With its 3,678 inhabitants, VODNJAN/ DIGNANO still has a large number of people descended from the indigenous population called “Bumbari” with a thousand year old roots. They have been passing down their Istrian-Roman and Istrian- Venetian dialects to generations, together with a rich local folklore, valuable multicoloured national costumes, hair accessories, hundreds of years old song and dance traditions and celebrations.

 

THE ADVANTAGES OF HORSE BREEDING IN ISTRIA

The climate is mild, Mediterranean, with hot dry summers and mild pleasant winters. Annually there are about 2,000 hours of sunshine, with more than 10 hours of sunshine a day during the summer. The average winter temperature is about 6 ° C in summer, known to grow up to 30° C. The lowest sea temperature is in March, with barely 9° C and the hottest in August, when it can grow up to 25° C.

With an average 2.000 hours of sunshine a blue sky over the southwestern Istria continuously lasts for several months (April - October). Rich Mediterranean vegetation which extends to the sea is present. Air quality is excellent and almost negligible pollution. Therapeutic benefits may be present at the horse breeding because they are scientifically proven in humans (pulmonary problems, bronchitis, and asthma known health resorts since the time of the Austro-Hungarian administration in southwest Istria). Important is the closeness of the sea (3 km from the location of the hippodrome) and emphasizes all the benefits of therapeutic horse swimming in a sea of low salinity (39‰). Furthermore, the proximity of proven and class manufacturer of high quality hay, straw, oats, sawdust and briquettes, as well as food supplements in the form of vitamins and minerals of high nutritional value are certainly an advantage, as the combination of Mediterranean and Alpine climate in Istria, Terra Magica, is suitable for the nutrient vegetation.



Given the still, warm Mediterranean climate, the acclimatization of horses after transport, as in the cooler or in warmer regions is shorter due to the temperature range in which the horses are accustomed growing in Istria. At the end, Istria is prominently a great location for private purebred horse farms.

 


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