ABOUT ME - ANJA DOLENEC
For as long as I can remember, my life has been intertwined with horses and animals. What began as the passion of a small village girl has grown into a lifelong mission: to connect people with horses, to share knowledge, and to nurture respect for these incredible animals.
I am Anja Dolenec – horsewoman, trainer, educator, and above all, a devoted advocate for the bond between humans and horses. I am also a proud mother to my son Ali, and partner to Adis, who both inspire me every day to strive for excellence in my work and vision.
My Journey
My first steps into the equestrian world began at the age of 10, at a local riding school Tečaji jahanja Kaj-Žar, where I learned the foundations of riding, horse care, and even experienced my very first competitions. Over the years, I expanded my skills in several prestigious riding schools, where I not only trained as a rider but also worked as stable manager, instructor, and mentor to young riders. I developed and led children’s workshops, organized equestrian camps, and taught lessons that went far beyond the saddle.
Alongside horses, I pursued my formal education in nursing at the Secondary School for Health in Ljubljana. My original ambition was to become an emergency doctor, as first aid has always been one of my deepest passions. This path eventually merged with my equestrian career when I completed a diploma in Equine First Aid at TOCES (The Open College of Equine Studies) in England. Currently, I am furthering my studies there in equine physiology, fitness, and training – knowledge that I apply daily in my work with horses and riders.
Today, I am based at Riding Center Zima, where I work as a tour guide for equestrian trail riding, welcoming riders from all over the world. I also run my own riding school for both children and adults, create and lead educational workshops, and organize immersive equestrian camps. My greatest passion, however, lies in training horses – from young foals taking their first steps in learning, to experienced horses in need of refinement. Nothing compares to watching a horse unlock its true potential.
I am also the proud owner of Dexter, a young Paint Horse whose journey I am guiding with patience, trust, and dedication.
My Vision
Horses have shaped not only my life but my mission. I strongly believe that equine first aid is one of the most overlooked yet vital areas of horsemanship. My vision is to make this knowledge accessible worldwide, ensuring that every rider, trainer, and horse lover is equipped to respond in moments that truly matter – because first aid saves lives.
Looking forward, I aim to expand educational opportunities by making equine knowledge accessible to children, young riders, and horse enthusiasts of all levels. My ultimate dream is to establish the first Equestrian Faculty in Slovenia, a place where knowledge, science, and tradition unite to create a new standard of horsemanship education.
Heard Horse Academy
All of this vision and passion comes together in the Heard Horse Academy – a place where we listen to horses, learn from them, and grow together as a community. Our mission is simple but profound: to bring horses and humans closer, through knowledge, respect, and understanding.
Welcome to Heard Horse Academy, where horses and horsepeople become ONE.