Our Team

Our amazing staff at Riders of Hope in Sarajevo!

Senada Pekaric Muratovic, Founder, Vice President & Executive Director

Senada majored in Sociology and Political Science. She holds a certification as a registered therapeutic riding instructor through Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) PATH Intl. is the premier credentialing organization for accrediting centers and certifying instructors and equine specialists for equine assisted activities and therapies for people with disabilities. She is certified as a Special Olympics coach, as well as with the Horsemanship Safety Association, which requires advanced equine knowledge, training, and riding skills. Also, she is has been trained in natural horsemanship methods and horse psychology. She has volunteered and worked in premium horse stables in Pennsylvania. Senada is the most highly educated and trained professional in the area of Therapeutic Riding in all of Bosnia and Herzegovina and is dedicated to spreading the benefits of her work as well as her knowledge through the development of the Riders of Hope center.

Emin Muratovic, Program Coordinator

Emin is a physical education professor who focuses his knowledge on developing young sports enthusiasts and increasing the quality of equine sports in Bosnia and Herzegovina as a whole. His equine education began in the Foundation Land of Friendship and Peace, after which he traveled to France for additional training and experience, where he enhanced his natural talent for riding and coaching by developing skills in several Olympic equine disciplines. Much of Emin’s acquired equine knowledge is recognized with the high-ranking Gallop 6 Diploma.
Jointly with his colleagues from Land of Friendship and Peace, Emin is one of the first individuals in Bosnia and Herzegovina to begin working with horses and people with special needs. Emin helped inspire the first sense of urgency and need for a separate specialized therapeutic riding program for citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Today he is involved in the work of Riders of Hope and focused on improving riding as a sport, but also as a therapy in BiH.

Nejra Pinjo - PATH Intl. Certified Instructor (Instruktor)

Since she was a child, Nejra showed a great love for all animals, but horses were always at the top of her list. She made her first riding steps when she was 8 years old in a small centre called “Dapple Gray“, where she volunteered for 14 years and cherished her passion for this sport and animals. She joined the Pegasos team in 2013, which is where she became acquainted with the therapeutic riding program, that later on became her main interest. Today, Nejra is a riding instructor, as well as one of the key elements for “Riders of Hope“. She has made a connection with the children, and the horses enjoy her love too whenever she is around them.

Nejra je od malih nogu pokazivala veliku ljubav prema svim životinjama, ali konji su uvijek bili na vrhu ljestvice. Svoje prve jahačke korake napravila je sa svojih 8 godina u malom centru koji se zvao “Dapple Gray” gdje je volontirala 14 godina i odnjegovala svoju strast prema ovom sportu i životinjama. Pegasos timu se priključila 2013. godine i tu se upoznala sa programom terapijskog jahanja koje je od tada postalo njena glavna preokupacija.Danas je Nejra instruktor jahanja i jedna od ključnih karika za "Jahače Nade". Uspostavila je posebnu vezu sa djecom, a i konji uživaju u njenoj ljubavi kada god im je u blizini.

Merima Felah - Assistant Instructor (Asistent Instruktor)

Merima is a fourth-year student of Pharmacy at the University of Sarajevo. She says “When I say that I am studying pharmacy, you probably think that I love medicine, experiments, the laboratory, but it’s the exact opposite. My biggest passion are horses and all things that have to do with horses. Just the mere thought of them is a short story about freedom. I love nature and the sport of horse-riding. My favorite discipline is dressage, but you can often find me scoping out new trails in the woods. I work as a riding instructor at Pegasus.
I joined the Riders of Hope program two years ago as a volunteer and from the very beginning, it was incredible to observe the progress made by the children as they gave it their all in every moment. I love that you can always learn from those younger than you and older than you, make progress and push your boundaries, change your perspectives on the world... and all of that with a huge dose of love, because we are all united by love- our love of horses.”
Following her years of volunteering, Merima has now started working as an assistant instructor and our hope is that in the years to come she will get her formal therapeutic riding instructor qualification.

Merima je student četvrte godine Farmaceutskog fakulteta Univerziteta u Sarajevu. Za sebe kaže: „Vjerovatno mislite kada to kažem da sam student farmacije, da su mi ljubav lijekovi, laboratorija, eksperimenti, a ono baš suprotno. Najveća ljubav su konji i sve ono što je vezano za njih. Sama pomisao na njih mi je kratka priča o slobodi. Zaljubljenik sam u prirodu i jahanje kao sport. Omiljena disciplina mi je dresura, ali često ćete me vidjeti kako istražujem i neke nove šumske puteve. U Pegasosu radim kao instruktor jahanja.
Sa programom Jahača nade upoznala sam se prije dvije godine, kada sam se uključila kao volonter i od samog početka nevjerovatan mi je osjećaj bio posmatrati napredak djece, koja daju sve od sebe u svakom momentu. Najdraže od svega mi je što uvijek imaš šta učiti i od najmlađih i onih starijih od tebe, napredovati, pomijerati svoje granice i mijenjati svoje poglede na svijet i ljude, ali sve sa velikom dozom ljubavi, jer nas sve povezuje ista ljubav – prema konjima.
Nakon volonterskog staža, Merima je počela raditi kao asistent instruktora i nadamo se da će u godinama koje slijede, svoj rad krunisati i diplomom instruktora terapijskog jahanja.

Ismar Lutvikadic - Veterinarian and Assistant Instructor (Veterinar i Asistent Instruktor)

Since early childhood, he has been inseparable from animals. Even before he knew how to say “veterinarian“, he knew he wanted to be an “animal doctor“ when he grew up. Throughout his life, he came into contact with various kinds of animals; from bugs, lizards, snakes, to horses.
His riding experience began in horse riding club “Basquil“, where he officially became a trainer. He joined the Pegasos team in 2015, where he still works as a riding school instructor, therapeutic riding instructor, and the veterinarian of the club. Lately, you can often see him doing his duty as a veterinarian during horse riding competitions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He is a disciplined person, which is expressed through his love of dressage riding.

Od ranog djetinjstva se ne odvaja od životinja i dok nije znao ni izgovoriti riječ 'veterinar' znao je da će, kad poraste, biti 'doktor za životinje'. Kroz život je dolazio u bliski kontakt i detaljnije upoznavanje sa raznim vrstama životinja; od kukaca, gmizavaca pa i do konja.
Jahačko iskustvo je započeo u konjičkom klubu "Basquil" u Sarajevu, gdje je zvanično postao i operativni trener. Pegasos timu se priključio 2015. godine gdje radi kao instruktor u školi jahanja i programu terapijskog jahanja i kao klupski veterinar. U posljednje vrijeme često ga možete vidjeti kako se vrti medju konjima tokom veterinarskih pregleda na takmičenjima u Bosni i Hercegovini. Pedantna je osoba što se i u disciplinama konjičkog sporta iskazuje tako što mu je dresura opsesija.

Deniel Kabula - Assistant Instructor (Asistent Instruktor)

Daniel joined our team at the start of 2018 when he applied for the role of barn Manager. From the moment he joined he has been actively involved in our Therapeutic Riding program. He is a trained physiotherapist. He gained experience as a physiotherapist and orthopedic technician. Horses have always impressed him but his deep love for them developed when he joined our center.

Deniel se našem timu priključio početkom 2018. godine kada je aplicirao za posao Upravnika štale. Od svoga dolaska je aktivno uključen u program terapijskog jahanja. Po struci je fiziotrapeut. Iskustvo je sticao tokom školovanja i rada kao fizioterapeutski i ortopedski tehničar. Konji su ga uvijek impresionirali, a prava ljubav se dogodila dolaskom u naš Centar.

Riders of Hope Board of Directors

Maja Hadziomerovic - Founder, President of Riders of Hope

Maja co-founded Riders of Hope with Senada after the two became instant friends through their shared experience at Land of Peace and Friendship and their passion for horses, nature and Bosnia.
Maja studied Neural and Behavioural sciences at Bryn Mawr College and is well-versed in work with neurodiverse children. She has been riding horses for over 28 years across 4 different continents and a multitude of countries. Her equine experiences range from run-down shacks in developing nations to world-class Olympic training facilities. Riders of Hope offers Maja a unique opportunity to combine her curiosity for neuroscience with her passion for horses and commitment to the people (particularly children) of Bosnia. Currently she lives in London and works for Russell Reynolds Associates, leading global Sector Strategy and Operations for the Executive Search firm.

Edwin Ford - Board of Directors, Chairman

Ed has a master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh in Health and Physical Education. His doctoral coursework was in Educational Administration from Widener University. He has spent 45 years in education as a teacher, coach and principal. His coaching was at the international level coaching women’s gymnastics during the 1972 and 1976 Olympics. His interest in therapeutic horseback riding centers on his relationship with his stepson who has cerebral palsy and Senada Pekaric-Muratovic, President and Co-Founder of Riders of Hope.

Janet Vermeil - Board of Directors, Secretary

Dionne Newton - Board of Directors, Development Director

Dionne first came to Bosnia in September 2016 as a humanitarian missionary. Once her mission location was assigned she immediately researched for a therapeutic riding program in the area. Much to her surprise, she found Riders of Hope and contacted Senada to see if she could volunteer at the center while she was living in the country. She was welcomed with open arms! It was an answer to her prayers when she realized she would be able to continue with her career while serving her mission. Dionne has a B.A in Education and is a PATH Intl. Advanced Instructor and Certified PATH Mentor. She has been a Program Director at two PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Centers in the United States and a consultant for several new start up centers. She has over 30 years of horse experience in multiple disciplines including western and hunter/jumper with dressage being her preference. Her greatest passion lies in teaching individuals with disabilities and seeing the difference it makes in their lives. She hopes to put her experience to good use as a member of the Riders of Hope Board of Directors.

Elaine Ford - Board of Directors, Member at Large

Elaine has been an Occupational Therapist (OTR) for the last 35 years. While most of her professional experience is in geriatrics she personally experienced therapeutic horseback riding when her son, who has cerebral palsy, received hippo therapy at a young age. Her personal relationship with Senada Pekaric-Muratovic has led to her commitment to Riders of Hope.

Special People

Sandy McCloskey - On January 20, 2016, Sandy aged 59, passed peacefully after her long hard fought battle with cancer. Sandy graduated from Temple University with a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy, which she later combined with her love of horses to develop and direct Quest Therapeutic Services in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Her unique combination of skill, creativity, and values helped Quest become the state of the art program that it is, consequently touching many lives, including the founders of Riders of Hope. She was an enthusiastic supporter from the very beginning as both a mentor and friend. Without her guidance and support there would be no Riders of Hope! She is greatly missed.

Zana Hadziomerovic - is an animal lover and is committed to lightening life’s hardships by bringing joy and laughter to those around her. One of her favorite quotes is "Laughter is the shortest distance between two people." She studied Mathematics at Bryn Mawr College and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. She is currently a UK Hardware Operations Manager at Google in London and has extensive consulting experience from her time at McKinsey and Credit Suisse. Zana is a horse rider herself and has been involved in fundraising for Riders of Hope since its early start. She watched the organization grow from its humble beginnings and has always generously offered her consulting experience to the team.

A huge thank you to our major supporters!

*Anne Carlino *Gretchen Jackson