The 36-year-old winner was presented with the "Prstenac Bird" award and the €5,000 reward.
The award was given to him by President Zoran Milanović, under whose auspice the traditional tournament is held every year. At the beginning of the tournament, the president also underscored in his speech the importance of maintaining and promoting the tradition of Istria and this part of Croatia.
First mentioned in 1696 and revived by the town of Barban in 1976, the Prstenac Race is held every year on the third weekend in August. The lancing tournament features 16 horsemen dressed in Istrian folk costumes, and they must cross a 150 metre track on horseback in 12 seconds and hit the "prstenac" iron ring with a spear.
This tournament has become a must-see cultural event, attracting several thousand visitors each summer.
In attendance at this year's event were also Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković and Tourism Minister Nikolina Brnjac and some other distinguished guests.