Avalon Family Charities

"I am very excited to announce the January 1st 2023 launch of the Avalon Family Charities!

We are one of the few in the nation to achieve this title in the equine world and we can’t wait to start. This has been a dream of mine for a long time so when Avalon’s long-time client, Brooke Asiatico described how I could create a sports equine charity that fosters all of the pleasures and pride that come from this business, I was immediately on board!!  After over a year of planning and with the help of many of our Avalon family members we are finally ready.

Some folks have asked what will be the difference between Avalon Family Charities and Avalon Stables.  The easiest answer is in the “giving” that we’ll be able to provide.  Because of our new corporate bylaws and amendments outlined in our charity, we’ll be able to provide horse rescue, special needs lessons, and scholarships to help those without means to further their equestrian goals. 

Most of us in the business do what we do because of our love for the horses and our riders.  There are several factors that drive me, and other horse trainers and equestrian coaches, to put in the long hours and hard physical work required of this business.  The big factors are the privilege of working with horses for a living, the feeling of accomplishment that comes from putting a horse and rider team together and being able to teach my riders the joys of being an equestrian.  Our Avalon barn family has been so blessed with wonderful people that touch our lives immeasurably so it will be such a thrill to pay those blessings forward. Our good friend Jodi Fulton always dreamed of showing and got to win some lovely ribbons with her show horse LA Sir Top Hat. Our scholarships will all be dedicated in her memory and she would be so happy to spread that joy she had to the next rider. How lovely to give a scholarship to go to a regional show in North Carolina to a rider who never thought they would show out of state? Or that talented young girl who has the ability to qualify for academy Nationals but not the means?  Or that horse crazy kid to start lessons? This is all a dream come true to be able to help in this way. Horses teach us such life lessons that the gift of competition will have ripples throughout the rider’s life. If a 12-year-old can direct a 1000 pound horse to do her bidding in a ring with 16 others while being judged by three, and watched by thousands, do you think walking into a new high school for the first time will intimidate them? Not a chance! They’ll be the most confident one in the class. 

It is with a thankful heart I begin this journey of giving back and only with the help of such special people like the Asiatico family, the Fulton family, the Stewig family, and many others did this dream really take shape.

As we say goodbye to Avalon Stables and hello to Avalon Family Charities, we will forever keep Avalon’s motto- Follow your dream!"

Avalon Family Charities Inc. Chairperson, Pam Roush