ABOUT US

Jeannie Scalise grew up on the East Coast, training with several highly accomplished professionals. After moving to California, Jeannie had the opportunity to train and ride with Bernie Traurig and John French. Jeannie opened Avalon Hunters & Jumpers in Del Mar, California in 1995 and quickly grew into a respected, competitive, A-circuit show barn. She eventually moved to Northern California, and continued to grow a successful business in the Bay Area. While attending a show at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Jeannie fell in love with the area and knew it was the place she wanted to make her home. She purchased Cherry Knoll Farm in 2019 with the goal of building a versatile facility that would be an oasis to both riders and horses.

Zoe McCarthy began her professional career in 2007 and has worked throughout California for such trainers as Nicole Bloom, Peter Breakwell, Lise Quintero, and Rebecca Bruce. In 2011 Zoe opened her own program in Santa Barbara, guiding her students to numerous local championships and awards. Zoe joined the Avalon team in California in 2017, and in 2020 relocated with them to Lexington at the new Cherry Knoll Farm facility. With her experience as a trainer, rider, and barn manager, she prides herself on running a fun, organized, comprehensive program with the horse's wellbeing as the first priority. 

 Jorge Pinon has been an invaluable member of the Avalon team for over a decade. With 20 years of experience caring for horses, he is vigillent about their care and wellbeing. Jorge always seems to know if something is wrong with a horse, even before the horse does. The only ones who love him more than we do are the horses!

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