For the Love of Horse and Rider

How does one evening spent on a ranch in Central Oregon fill you with so much pleasure? The genuine joy, compassion and interest of Don and Jan Avila and Sheri and Ronnie Simpson in their students, horses and facility, are contagious!

Dee Bar Farms, located in Powell Butte on Highway 26, is an immaculate operation. The family has been “horsing around” all their lives, but it certainly isn’t a game or just a hobby to them. On 40 acres, with views of the Cascades in one direction and peaceful farm and ranch land in the others, these folks quietly, yet energetically, go about their business of buying and selling, breeding, raising, boarding, training, showing and all other things horse related. Riding lessons are part of the operation and their interest in people is evident too. It is a full-time job that doesn’t end with the 8am to 4pm schedule of hours they are open for riding, six days a week, year around. It is a chosen lifestyle and runs around the clock.

Don Avila might be considered by some as the “Godfather of the Quarter Horse Show,” and is often sought out for advice. He is highly respected and referred to as “Mr. Avila” when approached with all kinds of questions. You might find him flagging during the competition or helping out wherever needed, as he has more experience than most of the people at any show — winning experience, at that.

Dee Bar Farms has been in operation for forty-five years, though not always in Powell Butte. The name comes from the AQHA (American Quarter Horse Association) Hall of Fame horse, Doc’s Dee Bar, owned by Avila since the horse was two years old. Jan Avila shares that having lived and worked in other locations, they longed for a quieter, simpler place without the hustle and bustle of their previous location in the Seattle, Washington area and loved Central Oregon. They selected the current property and Don went right to work, personally building the first apartment so he could live there while also building the barn himself. Commuting was a drag for the rest of the family, but eventually a house was built as well, and the business and family officially moved to Powell Butte in 1993.

Don Avila and Doc’s Dee Bar
Don Avila has trained over twenty-two AQHA champion quarter horses in his career, but Doc’s Dee Bar has always been “the one.” Becoming the owner of the namesake of his business and of the ranch in Powell Butte is not exactly a simple story. However, it is suffice to say that Avila was immediately smitten with Doc’s Dee Bar the first time he laid eyes on him soon after he was born while Avila was at another ranch doing some business for clients. Avila didn’t forget that horse and explained, “In ‘65, when Doc’s Dee Bar was two, I was working for some nice businessmen who told me to buy them a winner, one that could come out first just about over anything. I had only one (horse) in mind. Luckily, Doc’s Dee Bar could be had for a price, and they bought him. From then on nobody ever handled him but me.”

While Avila had trained Doc’s Dee Bar for his clients, from that purchase date forward, actual ownership came later and their relationship was forever. One man, one horse, a long list of wins and being listed in the AQHA Hall of Fame; this man and this horse made each other famous. Doc’s Dee Bar is considered by Avila as a “once-in-a-lifetime horse.” After retiring from the show circuit, Doc’s Dee Bar became another leader in the AQHA world by standing stallion to a long line of champions.

Not limited to training horses, Avila’s teaching skill shows in the success of other family members, Bobby Avila (son), B.J. Avila (grandson) and Sheri Avila-Simpson (daughter), as are all successful in the equestrian business, as well.

Today Sheri Avila-Simpson runs the business, but it is definitely a family effort. Ronnie Simpson is a huge benefit, managing the marketing, maintenance and haying efforts. The beautiful grounds, website and well-stocked hay barn are a testament to his work and active role in the business. Simpson was actually born and raised in Powell Butte and life has brought him full circle, back to the area and to the way of life. Growing up, he attended horse shows with his sister and helped work forty acres and is right back at it now.

Mr. Avila still teaches roping, attends all shows and according to Simpson, he also can’t help but check up to see if things are being done properly. Ronnie recounts stacking the hay as Avila quietly stood by on his horse just watching. No comments, just making sure it was done the right way. Success comes with experience, dedication, hard work and it doesn’t ever hurt to know that your father-in-law is looking over your shoulder!

Watch Mr. Chic
Success has continued at the hands of Dee Bar Farms. Watch Mr. Chic resides on the ranch. Owned by Karen Huston and under the training of the Avilas, Watch Mr. Chic has proved to be a great performance horse.  He has been the Regional Champion in both heading and heeling. His accomplishments include AQHA Champion, AQHA Superior Dally Team Roping Heeling, AQHA Performance Register of Merit, AQHA Superior Dally Team Roping Heading. Watch Mr. Chic has over 270 AQHA points in halter, heading, heeling, western pleasure, hunter under saddle, barrels and pole bending.

Team Dee Bar
“Team Dee Bar” is very much what Dee Bar Farms is about. Where these folks are concerned, whether they are holding a family meeting about business, taking trips to horse shows or giving lessons, cooperation and a sense of family are an important part of everything done here. That family feeling extends to clients, as well. Interviewing some of the students, Rachael commented that the Avilas are her “adopted” grandparents. The Simpsons reveal that there is virtually never any discord or drama as the group travels to shows, often sharing meals and time away from the arenas. The chatter and glee shared by the students in the barn is more evidence of a team effort.

The students are quick to share the benefits of training and riding. Beka is a high-school student who has been riding since she was about four years old. Dangerous in the Dark, or “Bob” as they call him, is her horse and he helps keep her out of trouble by keeping her busy and focused. She really enjoys the competitive atmosphere and the people.

At eight years old, Leita is just starting to ride. Horses aren’t new to her, having been tagging along with her mom who is a farrier, for years. She enjoys riding and hanging out with her favorite animals and wants to be a barrel racer when she grows up.

Quoted above to consider the Avilas as “adopted grandparents,” Rachael is thirteen. She has been riding since age four and training with Sheri for two and a half years. For her, riding represents freedom and she feels that horses are able to understand you.

Also thirteen years old, Aspen gets an adrenaline rush from riding. At Dee Bar Farms, she rides her horse Tilly. Competitively, she is already on her way with first place ribbons, a belt buckle and Hi Point from various shows. Aspen aspires to compete in the Worlds.

Karen has known Sheri since eighth grade and has been with Dee Bar Farms for about five years. As the owner of Watch Mr. Chic, she is no stranger to competition and has won eleven Worlds in the PHBA (Palomino Horse Breeders of America). The travel, the friends, the camaraderie, the competition, the practice — she loves it all.

The commitment and dedication to equestrian sports is nothing to scoff at. It takes time and it gets in your blood. One of the moms, Jennifer (Rachael’s mom), recently started taking lessons too. She wants to show her daughter that she can win her own belt buckle. She will be showing Doulton at halter soon. The Dee Bar folks are her “second family.”
Another success story is that of Christa Beezly who trained at Dee Bar Farms, showed in the Youth World Show and attained a full-ride scholarship to Fresno State University in their equestrian program. From Fresno, Christa comments, “Dee Bar Farms was my second home. I spent a lot of time out there and learned so much about riding and showing from them. Sheri has taught me so much about the importance of little things when showing and riding. She helped me become that much better and I consistently came out on top when training with her.”

Sheri Avila-Simpson
Simpson would not change a thing about her chosen career path. Passionate about horses from an early age, she began in 4H, showing in all styles from Western to English, including reigning and roping. It is interesting that her first trainer was actually Bob Avila, Don Avila’s son. Upon graduating from high school, after Jan and Don Avila had married, Sheri began working for Don, and it was her dream job. “Every day is different,” she says, “And that has to be true when training in western pleasure, hunter under saddle, halter, western riding, trail riding and roping.”

Everyone is at a different level, different ages and has different goals. Dee Bar Farms is not just a show barn. Some students start out only interested in learning to ride for pleasure. However, it isn’t uncommon for that interest to become a desire to compete. Avila-Simpson says that about 20% to 30% of people who started just to ride eventually move into showing. Showing at halter is actually about the confirmation of the horse, but the experience of leading that horse into the show ring builds confidence and is a good first step for competition.

There is a lot of cross-over between working in the Western and English styles of riding. Many students show in both styles. Working with students who know nothing about horses or riding, watching them progress and eventually win or reach their goal is very fulfilling for Avila-Simpson.

Learning how to address problems in the arena or on a trail translates into life skills that apply outside the world of horsemanship. Avila-Simpson sees it as very important that her students learn respect, confidence and how to set goals. One example of this is the transition from approaching to entering the show arena. Many trainers will ride the horse up to the gate, but Simpson believes this is a part of the event that the rider needs to do themselves. There is potential to encounter challenges with the horse at this time and she feels her riders need to know how to handle whatever may arise. Anyone who has experienced the pride of overcoming, or seeing someone overcome, fear can understand that this
is an excellent tactic to use as a trainer. This is just one of the ways that riding is also therapeutic.

Another important facet of horsemanship, is building trust. This trust is between horse and trainer, rider and trainer, and horse and rider. The motions that guide the horse are subtle, not even noticed often times by those who are not familiar, yet they must be executed properly and be clearly understood by the horse. It isn’t all about the “giddy-up” and the “whoa.” Those commands don’t make the horse sidestep, back up, canter and so on. Riding is truly a skill and developed via a relationship established over a period of time. Proper seating, leg and hand pressure and balance are required to control the movements of the horse.

The relationship between client and trainer is extremely important to the entire process, as well. It is a financial investment that yields high rewards when there is a good client/trainer/horse relationship. Avila-Simpson maintains open communication with clients and is constantly evaluating the experience of owners and students. There is a regular “check-in” to determine that they are getting what they want. Is the horse happy? Do they need more time? What is frustrating them, if anything?

The pictures and trophies filling the barn, office and tack room of horses and clients in the winner’s circle are evidence that Dee Bar Farms is doing things right. The top shelf in the office is lined with seventy-two trophies that were earned in one year by one horse, Sander Charge. The Avila name and Dee Bar Farms is well respected in the world of horsemanship.

While horses are their business and they are clearly devoted to it, the Simpsons realize the need for some other interests too. Sheri loves and breeds Miniature Australian Shepherds. They also enjoy spending time on their quads. They particularly enjoy getting away to and riding in the dunes on the Oregon coast. Still, it isn’t uncommon to find Sheri out riding her horse, “just to unwind,” after spending all day working with horses in one way or another.

After spending some time at the Dee Bar Ranch, it is clear to see why so many riders — young and experienceds — want to work with this compassionate family. Whether it is watching them with the animals or seeing them assist a rider during a training session, their passion and professional attitude are clearly visible. Settled in the beautiful Powell Butte valley, this family ranch will continue to share their joy with others for years to come!

If you are thinking about getting involved with horses in any way, want to learn to ride, need a new home for your horse, or looking for a trainer, contact Dee Bar Farms:
Don and Jan Avila & Sheri and Ronnie Simpson
6490 SW Powell Butte Highway, Powell Butte, Oregon 97753
541.548.2625 | www.deebarfarms.com
They are also on Facebook, be sure to log on and “Like” them!
Horse training and riding lessons; Specializing in youth and amateur riders, from beginners to advanced.