Don Yovanovich is a graduate of Villanova University with both a Bachelor of Science and Masters Degree, majoring in Cellular Physiology. Before taking out his Thoroughbred trainer's license, he assisted Elizabeth Bird, Doug Small and William Walsh with their stables of flat and steeplechase horses. A 1978 victory in the Virginia Gold Cup on Navy Davy launched a 25 year Amateur riding career that resulted in numerous wins on the NSA and point-to-point circuits.   In 1979, Don moved to Virginia to open and operate the Middleburg Equine Swim Center. Since that time, Don has won in Virginia over fifteen Leading Trainer titles and eight Leading Rider titles. Other honors bestowed on Don include: "The Masters Prize," for service behind the scenes for the Virginia Point-to-Point Assn., "The Francis T. Greene Award," presented by the Virginia Steeplechase Assn., and he was a two time recipient of the "BMW Horseman of the Year Award," for outstanding contribution and promotion of the sport of steeplechasing. Most recently, he was the inaugural recipient of the "Yves Henry Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award."

Aside from operating his own Initiator Stables in Middleburg, Don has been very busy as an organizer and advocate for our sport. Currently he is an active member of the following boards, Virginia Steeplechase Assn., Virginia Gold Cup Assn., the Virginia Point-to-Point Assn. and is Executive Director of ARCA. He served as President of the VSA and has been President of the VPPA for much of the last twenty years. In that time he has been instrumental in obtaining sponsorship funds to cover a number of that association's expenses including fence rental and year-end awards. Since 1985, Don has served as Director of Racing of the Virginia Gold Cup and International Gold Cup where he initiated both the "Runner's Reward" and the pre-races veterinary exams, both of which have been adopted as NSA policies. For the NSA, Don has served as Race Meet Committee Chairman three times, served on the original Reverted Purse Fund Committee and Co-chaired the Horse Safety Committee ( originally the VSA Veterinary Committee) Most recently, Don helped organize the NSA Survey and served on the 2008 Ad Hoc Committee, which surveyed and addressed the membership's concerns and recommended the new election process.

Don resides in Upperville, Virginia with his wife of 18 years, Robyn and their 16 year old daughter, Clancey.