About Us

JON SONKIN

Jon Sonkin is the owner and head trainer of JAS Stables Eventing. Jon, 34, is a native of Mississippi who moved to Northern Virginia 12 years ago to advance his career as a horse trainer, and eventing competitor. Jon has been working with horses his whole life, and officially kicked off his riding career at the age of 7. Jon began the process of learning how to manage a barn, train horses, and all the other aspects that go into running a horse business, at the age of 13. He began training and working with Chryl Mann at J-3 Ranch and Stones Throw Stables, where Jon competed horses for Chryl and her clients in Area 3 horse trials. Jon also gained experience in galloping racehorses, which he did while residing in Texas, and still continues now while living in Virginia. He has galloped for Dresden Farm, Barbara Graham, Frank Zerrick, Paula Parsons, Smitten Farm, Sam Deane, and Mark Deane.

During his career Jon has developed his natural talent for breaking and training young or difficult prospects for many different equine disciplines. His experience has led him to become the go-to-guy for breaking, getting young, green horses to their first shows, giving OTTB alternative careers, and etc. With his knowledge and raw talent, Jon has become a successful eventer with his own string of competition horses. Jon currently events through the Preliminary level, with ambitions to go to the upper levels. He is passionate about thoroughbreds, which all of his competition horses are, and consistently looks to give young thoroughbred prospects (OTTB or never raced) opportunities for new lives as event horses, jumpers, etc. Over the past 12 years Jon has enjoyed training and selling many different horses, for many different disciplines, and hopes that all his endeavors will become even more successful at his new location. Jon is now based out of the Lincoln Equestrian Center in Purcellville, Virginia, a wonderful, beautiful 50 acre facility where he continues to compete in Area 2 events, train and sell prospects, and teach up and coming riders. For inquiries of information for sponsoring Jon or upcoming events please contact at
jumpingjonny1@juno.com.

KATIE DAVIS

Jon’s right hand girl and fiance, Katie Davis, is the barn manager at JAS Stables. Katie, 27, began working with Jon five years ago while making a  transition from internationally renowned amateur kickboxer, to fulfilling her childhood ambitions of riding horses. With Jon’s tutelage, Katie not only learned how to ride from scratch, but has also learned all aspects of the horse business. Katie has now been riding a little over five years, and with a lot of hard work and a bite from the eventing bug, has successfully competed through Preliminary level eventing looking to move up to Intermediate in 2012. She also has acquired a fondness for the thoroughbred breed, learning how to retrain off the track thoroughbreds and giving them an alternative career, as well as eventing her own thoroughbreds. Katie also recently became a board certified equine sports massage therapist. For more information check out the Equine Massage Therapy page. Katie attributes her success to the constant support of her mother Patsy, Jon Sonkin, Deena Vaughn, Tiffany Cattledge, Karen Nutt, and countless clients that have encouraged Katie‘s ambitions. All these people have helped Katie accomplish well beyond her expectations. Katie also has ambitions to compete in the upper levels of eventing and appreciates any inquiries into her upcoming events or sponsorship information. Please contact her at rideondowntoit@gmail.com