Educator, Trainer, and Therapeutic Riding Instructor. I have more than 30 years of experience in work as coach and educator in Equine Assisted Activities, and 15 years as Therapeutic Riding Instructor, with an international recognition.

SPECIFIC ACHIEVMENTS:

1.         Organized First Croatian Championship in Dressage for Handicapped 
2.         Acted as selector and coach for Croatian National team at various international championships including International Championship in dressage for disabled in the United Kingdom in 1999, Russia and Poland in 2002, Austria and Hungary in 2004, and World Championships in Denmark 1999 and Belgium 2003. 
3.         Acted as head of the Croatian equestrian team at 2000 Paralympic Games in Sidney, Australia and 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece
4.         Organized First Croatian Education on Therapeutic riding programs
5.         Presented therapeutic riding programs at Council of Europe, Strasbourg, France, 1999
6.         Presented Croatian therapeutic riding at 9th NARHA's Congress in Seattle, WA
7.         Founded Therapeutic Riding Association of Croatia in 2001.
8.         Presented own project at XI. International FRDI Congress , Budapest, 2003.

PUBLICATIONS

2005        Horsemanship of new age

2004.         Therapeutic riding publication Preventive Programs for Therapeutic Riding

2002.         Therapeutic riding manual Horsemanship for People with Disabilities, the first Croatian educational publication about therapeutic riding

AWARDS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

2002        Humanity Charter in recognition of humanitarian deeds performed in Eastern Croatia.

2001        Written acknowledgment for achievements in the development of volunteer work in Croatia from the Government of the Republic of Croatia.

2001        Plaque for excellence in the field of sport for people with disabilities in the Republic of Croatia from the Croatian Sports Federation for the Disabled.

2000        Anne Wright Instructor Award for excellence in the field of therapeutic riding, from High Hopes Riding of Connecticut, USA.

2000.         Plaque for excellence in the field of sport for people with disabilities in the Republic of Croatia from the Croatian Sports Federation for the Disabled.

PROFESIONAL EXPERIENCE

Project Manager and CSA

Equestrian

 Riding Instructor/Competitor

Journalist

                                                                Croatia 1983-2005, USA-2005-Present

Program Director at Spirit Open Equestrian Program Inc. , - Great Falls , VA (2006-Present)

Project Manager at Dynamic Business Interiors, - Arlington, VA (2008)

Customer Service Agent  at United Arilines, - IAD, VA (2007-08)

Project Manager and instructor at Golden Dreams Therapeutic Riding , - Middleburg, VA (2007)

Translator, language instructor, - DC area (occasionaly, 2005- Present)

Barn manager and Therapeutic Riding Instructor, Lift Me Up!, - Great Falls, VA (2005-06)

Program Director at MOGU Therapeutic Riding, Osijek, Croatia, Europe, (1997-2005)

Teacher for language, literature, history, ethic, arts... Osijek, Croatia, Europe (1993-2004)

Librarian - Osijek, Croatia, Europe (1996-2004)

Project Manager for music concert season Osijek, Croatia, Europe (1985- 1993)

Jounralist Osijek, Croatia, Europe (1983-1985)

Founder and ED of SPIRIT Open Equestrian Program

Lecture at Budapest, XI Federation Riders Disabled International (FRDI) Congress 2004  Lecture about Paradressage at the PATH Conference , Denver CO 2009

EDUCATION

1.         B.A., Dual Major in Literature and Language, University of Osijek, Croatia
2.         Riding Instructor Certificate, FEI, Slovenian Equestrian Academy, Ljubljana, Slovenia
3.         B.A., Library Science, Zagreb, Croatia
4.         Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, NARHA, USA

1. Certified Life Coach,

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Computer Skills

MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and Corel Draw.

Language Skills

Fluent in Croatian/Serbian and English, conversant in Italian, Macedonian, and Slovenian 

Fundraising Skills

Experienced and successful NGO fundraser.

Program Policy Development and Implementation

Able to conduct needs assessments, plan and implement organizational programs, policies and operating procedures.

Leadership and Management Skills

Can adjust priorities and procedures to achieve the most efficient solutions. Able to work under pressure, such as changes in leadership and operating procedures, and day-to-day work related crises.