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Don
and Jan Avila |
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Don Avila can’t remember a time when he wasn’t sitting on the back of a horse. Having been raised in California on a horse and cattle ranch, Don knows what horse training is all about. “Back before I started school, Dad would ride out to gather or check on the cattle and I went along”. It didn’t take long for Don to know that horse training was what he wanted to do. “My brother Bill and I would wait for Dad to go to town for supplies, then we would go out and pick out the meanest ‘sons of bucks’ Dad had and ride them.” Don along with his brother and Dad broke and trained all their horses, “It was the rank ones that struck my interest” stated Don. “You know the ones with fire in their eyes.” Well, Don has learned to look for that fire in horses in a different way, with training over 22 AQHA Champions as well as qualifying numerous horses for the AQHA World Show, Don knows how to mold a horse into a performer. “It’s real rewarding to take a horse that doesn’t know what to do with himself and just bring him around so that he wants to perform for you.” And perform for Don they do he has trained a World Champion horse and a Reserve World Champion, as well as numerous AQHA Superior Rope, Halter, and Western Pleasure horses, not to mention the many Year-End Awards and Circuit Awards he has won. He also served on the OQHA Board. When Don was asked why so many years with horses? Don replied, “I have a deep love and respect for horses”. Such a love that Don spent several years working as a carpenter to support that love for and training of horses. “It all works out in the end” said Don, “I had the knowledge and ability to build this facility here in Powell Butte.” That is what Don has done, and he is still adding on to provide the best facility for the job at hand. Don recently added a breeding room to his barn. Don has earned a reputation as a Stud Handler. He is currently standing his own two studs, RC Command and Watch Mr Chic. When talking about studs, Don fondly remembers his all time favorite horse the legendary Doc’s Dee Bar. “He was a once in a lifetime horse”, stated Don, “You can own or train a lot of great horses but you only get one like Doc’s Dee Bar”, “but you know I might live long enough to have another one come along” chuckled Don. Along with the horse training, Don enjoys training amateurs and youngsters. “When someone has that true desire to learn” said Don “That’s when I like helping them.” “Watching someone go from packing a rope to throwing a rope with my help is what it’s all about,” stated Don as he gently glided his loop over the roping dumping. “Shoot I’ve had kids as young as three out here wanting me to show them how to throw rope”. “OK,” said Don “so that was family”. Family is important to Don too, along with his brother Bill and his two sons and their families all that live in California. Don’s son Bobby Avila and grandson BJ have recently moved back to California where they now call Temecula home. Don’s stepson Greg is a Master Mechanic Technician and his wife Karen is into barrel racing. Sheri, who resides at the Powell Butte farm with her husband Dr. Jeff Nelson, works with Don training and showing all the show horses. With one particular horse, they showed they won 70 All-arounds. “ I guess the whole family is involved with either horses or horse power,” said Don. When Don was asked if there was anything he likes to do besides train horses, a large smile comes across his face and you could see the lures in his eyes. “I like to fish” said Don “Just sit back at a quiet little hole and fish.” Don and his wife Jan manage to get away from their Powell Butte training facility a couple times a year to enjoy camping and fishing, Don also enjoys creating folk art wooden pieces and pine furniture. So Don how long will you be training horses? “I will ride as long as I live,” Don said positively, “ Will Rodgers put it this way, “the best thing for the inside of a man is the outside of a horse.” |
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Don & Jan Avila |