Startown Stables

The story of Startown Stables began over 50 years ago in a small town in Columbia, South America, known as Tarqui. It was there that Luis Carlos Iriarte, a respected Paso Fino breeder and trainer, instilled into his only son a love for the Paso Fino horse. Alvaro grew up and became the fourth generation in his family to breed, train, judge and show Paso Fino horses. * (*Info gathered from various Iriarte family material).



Alvaro vowed that one day he would come to America and become a citizen. He accomplished his dream at the age of 35. He moved to America and became a US citizen in 1979.



Startown Stables is a fabulous place and is home to about 100 Paso Fino horses. The stable and it's owner are well known and highly respected in the Paso Fino community.

I pass this stable several times a week and seldom a morning goes by that you don't see Alvaro out riding those horses, with the "funny little gate", out in his fields. They're a beautiful sight.





I was so excited when I found out I was going to Startown Stables to photograph their horses! I've been driving by this place for years and have never once stepped foot on the property. It was exciting to finally be there and meet Alvaro. As I said in my previous post, he was charming. Thoroughly enjoyed my time spent with him and his beautiful horses.

One of my tasks was to photograph the mommies and their babies. Of course, I was THRILLED! I just love the babies! There were several moms and babies in the big pasture, so my daughter (who came with me) and I hiked the fence and went in the pasture with them. I'm getting so brave now! hah! They were having breakfast but kept a watchful eye on us at the same time. Every time we'd get close they'd all take off. I ended up in the middle of the pasture with my long telephoto lens on a tripod in hopes of catching just a few shots of the beauties. They were tricky. The babies are like little magnets, always stuck to their mommies' sides. And it seems that they're frequently on the back side! I did manage to get quite a few decent shots however....

This Palomino and her baby were just gorgeous! I understand that Palominos are quite unusual in the Paso Fino breed. Her baby was only a couple weeks old. We so wanted to get closer, but they were quite shy.

Now these two were the brave ones of the bunch. They actually came towards us a couple of times.


Not these two - they were at the far, far end where they just completely ignored us.

So pretty...



He looks like a little stuffed animal!

Here's the brave pair again....

Loved this baby! So cute!

These two decided that they would just stare us down in hopes that we'd leave.

I could have spent all day with the mommies and babies. But it was time to move on to the stallions! Oh Boy!!! They're always exciting!!! See them in my next post!