Our farm "Živa", is the fulfilment of Iva's lifelong dream: to escape from the city and live close to Nature! Named after the ancient Slavic goddess of fertility, the farm in a village on "Zlatar" mountain has been a home for our family since 2020.
On the land that has been untouched for over 35 years, at 1000m altitude, on the verges of protected natural reserve, we are slowly making our way towards self-sustainability. Living with us is a small herd of Serbian mountain horses, an endangered native breed. By having them, we are contributing to the preservation of these sturdy and intelligent ponies. They are our friends, but also play important role as conservation grazers and our partners in organizing trail riding/riding lessons. They live freely outside in a herd, are not shod and are worked using a combination of Classical and Natural horsemanship. We also grow some of our own food, using organic and permaculture principles, gather herbs and fruits of the forest and generally enjoy our new life! Come and join us for an active holiday like no other!
Makavi, Akemi, Milton and Morris are in charge of conservational grazing and helping with lessons/trail rides. All of the members of the (for now) small herd are Serbian Mountain horses, small but tough and smart. They live together outside all year round (as they should) and are barefooted (as they should be). They are happy, friendly and safe.
Klara Grujić is a junior riding instructor and trail guide. A high school student, Klara was a long term member of one of the most successful clubs in Serbia, K.K.”Aleksa Dundic” and has competed in show-jumping and dressage since early childhood, under the tutelage of some of the best Serbian coaches.
Iva Živković is in charge of lessons/trail rides and general running of “Živa” farm. Iva has a BSc Hons in Equine Sports Science (De Montfort University, UK) and has been working in the equestrian and horse racing sport since 1990. The rare combination of job specific academic qualification with over 30 years of International experience allow Iva to have a unique insight into horses and riders.
Her work experience includes positions as a Trainer, Instructor and Stable manager in clubs and equestrian centers in Kuwait, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Scotland, Holland, Serbia… One of greatest achievements of Iva’s career so far is the success with equestrian club “Sarajevo”. For results in show jumping and dressage, the club got awarded with the title of “Most successful club” in Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2021, as well as Championship titles in show jumping in Children and Junior categories and vice-champion titles in dressage for both categories.
Dedicated and intuitive, Iva brings out the best in her students, both horses and riders. Her method of teaching and training is a highly individualized combination of several “schools” of riding, training and management, with a sound academic knowledge.
Milan Grujić is in charge of natural fitness, cycling, hiking, games and other non-horse related physical activities. A competitive wrestler and a University student of Physiotherapy, Milan can also advise on fitness regimes and healthy life style choices. And give you a massage and a laugh!
Kento is in charge of saying hello in the morning, keeping away the cats and mice, playing with any good natured soul and following us on trail rides. A 3 year old German Shepherd mix, he has been with us since he was a 6 week old puppy found at the Nova Varoš bus station.
Tatomir Toroman is in charge of the cultural and historical content. An ethnologist and anthropologist, Tatomir enjoys sharing knowledge about Serbian, Balkan and local history. For over 10 years he worked as a curator in the Museum of Yugoslavia in Belgrade and has great insight into that topic, as well.