About SFES
The Founders
Rhondavena LaPorte
Co-Founder, Executive Director
Rhondavena grew up with horses. After 2 careers, it was finally time to return to what gives her joy... HORSES! Rehabbing OTTB horses were part of her childhood. Her goal, to be a jockey, didn't work out because 5' was just too tall. Learning to train horses became her greatest accomplishment. She says, there's nothing like being there and partnering with such soulful creatures. They truly are God's greatest creatures. There's nothing like equine.
Bill LaPorte
Co-Founder, Director
Bill grew up in and around New York City in his youth. He always loved watching western movies and series on TV and developed a passion for horses. In 2000, while on a business trip in Kentucky, he was driving by a beautiful horse pasture with a young American Saddlebred colt standing by himself. As the colt saw the car coming, he (or she) broke out in a gallop and ran along side his car. At that moment, he knew that horses would become a big part of his life. He and Rhondavena built a barn at their home in Stafford, VA and brought in four wonderful (but green) horses. It became clear that he would have to learn to train horses if he was to survive the experience. And so he did.
Autumn Wall
Autumn's passion for horses began in 2004 when she started taking riding lessons, sparking a deep love for these incredible animals that has influenced both her life and her work as an artist. In 2021, she began volunteering at SFES, where she developed a deep sense of respect and empathy for rescue horses and was inspired by the unwavering commitment of those who work tirelessly to save and heal them. During this time, she formed a special connection with Wishes, one of the rescue horses at SFES. She learned natural horsemanship skills as she trained him and eventually adopted him. Autumn takes pride in contributing to the rescue's efforts to transform the lives of both horses and the community.
Bill Harrison
Bill's love for horses began at a young age when he visited his uncle in Scottsville, who created part of his fortune buying and selling horses between Va and Pa. He never owned horses until he got out of Short Pump where he had lived his entire life and moved to Louisa in 2016. He and his wife Ann acquired two, a Percheron-Quarter mix and a miniature as a companion. Being retired and wanting to find a volunteer activity, he and Ann ventured out to Serenity in 2020. After being given the tour, he fell in love with the founders Bill and Rhonda LaPorte and the horses, donkeys and goats. He had a special affection for Blossom. He enjoys helping out in any activity and loves manning the grill on Serenity Day. He and Ann sponsor Eclipse and partially sponsor the saddlebreds.
Tristan began as a volunteer after attending one of our Serenity Day Fundraisers. She's an amazing force and quickly learned the ropes here. In 2026, she accepted a nomination to the Board and we're so glad.
Ann Stack Harrison
Ann grew up in Yorktown, Virginia, with her family that had 12 horses and ponies. She spent her childhood and early adult years pleasure riding, fox hunting and, of course, mucking stalls. She retired from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond in 2019 and found her way, along with her husband Bill, to Serenity in 2020. Ann and her husband Bill live in Louisa and generally volunteer on Wednesdays and for other special projects.
Melanie Jordan
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Our Logo
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Our logo has a horse head graphic with an embedded donkey/mule in the horse's neck.