FUNDRAISER BENEFIT FOR JUAN CARLOS IRIARTE

Those of you who follow this blog know that Juan Carlos Iriarte has been battling Leukemia for 2 1/2 years. He and his fiance, Lisa, have been having a particularly hard time over the last few months. But Juan Carlos is strong and continues to fight hard.

The Paso Fino Horse Association - Trainer's Association is sponsoring a Colt Raffle Fundraiser Benefit for Juan Carlos. Please visit Juan and Lisa's website at www.ranchoeldestino.com to find out how you can purchase tickets and help Juan Carlos and Lisa.

Below are photos of the beautiful grey yearling colt. The raffle will be held on September 19, 2008 at the PFHA National Championship Show in Perry, GA.

www.ranchoeldestino.com

The Three Amigos

As promised, here's some more of the three colts that I had the great pleasure to photograph last weekend. These guys were so much fun.



I'm sure ya'll know by now that my knowledge of horses is somewhat limited - okay, alot limited, so I was pleasantly surprised to watch these three frolick and play all over the pasture.



After they all came up and hesitantly gave me and my camera the once over, Brandie shooed them off to go run. And run they did! They were like puppies!



They chased each other and bit each other!!! I couldn't get over how many times they nipped each other! I saw one walk right up behind another and grab his back leg! Ouch! Just like puppies! Trust me, I got a whole bunch of fabulous "nipping" photos!
But this one is by far my favorite!!! It makes me laugh out loud every time I see it!



Positively LOVE this picture ... cept that pesky bush in the foreground ... anyone got a chainsaw????



Look at the pretty boy Romeo posing so nicely for his human, Brandie. (Actually he was having a "nature call", but don't tell anyone!)



This is how my subject posed for me!!!



I hope to see these three again one day soon!

A Note...

I just wanted to take a moment to thank all my fabulous horse clients. Ya'll have just been so wonderful to me and I've thoroughly enjoyed myself each and every time I am around you and your beautiful horses. Everyone has just taken me in and really taken the time to answer my endless questions and make me feel right at home. I regard each and every one of you as a dear friend.

I have been hard at work shooting and processing horse photos steadily since last fall when I took my first shots at Juan and Lisa's place. Since then it's just been a whirlwind of horse photos in and out of my poor, weary little computer. And I have loved it!

I want everyone to know how very much I appreciate your patience and understanding. I know that it takes me quite awhile to get your photos processed and back to you. I wish I could turn them over more quickly, but I truly believe that each and every photo is like a little masterpiece and deserves the time it takes to make it all it can be. Thank you so much for understanding that. I truly appreciate it!

Jaime and Leonor, I'm sure you've given up on me by now, but they'll be on their way to you tomorrow! They should arrive in your mailbox in just a couple days!!!

Brian and Jill, I am going to work like a dog this week to make sure your pictures are in the gallery on time! I don't want folks beating down your door wanting to know where they are!!!

German and Brandie ... well, you'll be lucky to get yours by Christmas!!!! HO! HO! HO!

I wanted to leave you with a sneak peek of some beautiful and humorous photos I took on Saturday. I spent an entire "fun day" shooting with Brandie and German. This is just one of a boisterous threesome that I fell in love with. The one on the left is Romeo. He's German and Brandie's baby. Isn't he gorgeous!

... more to come in a day or two ...

More from Santa Ana Paso Finos

As I continue to sort through and edit the hundreds of horse photos I've taken over the past several weeks, I keep coming across ones that are just so pretty that I want to share! Like these ....







These are from my day spent with German and Brandie at their farm, Santa Ana Paso Finos. I just love the scenery at their place. It's so beautiful!

Shot of the Day

Today I traveled up to beautiful Blowing Rock, NC, where I shot some photos of a Paso Fino Trail Ride.

This is one of my favorite shots of the day. This is Jill and Eco enjoying a little splash in gorgeous Trout Lake. Eco loved it! Jill says he would lay down in it if she would let him! There were other horses with them, but they wanted no part of the water.

Thanks Brian and Jill for inviting me up! We had a wonderful time and I can't wait to share the rest of the photos with you!

A Flower for You

I just love this picture!

This one, too!

Santa Ana Paso Finos

Look at these beautiful stallions!!!




This gorgeous gray stallion is Fantasma de Santa Ana, owned by Santa Ana Paso Finos.
He had posing down pat! Just look at him!





Now this beautiful Chestnut, named Maremoto de Profeta, was a little more difficult. He was much more interested in eating the lush green grass than posing for me! I did manage to catch a couple of him looking very handsome! Will you look at that mane!!! I know that's a good thing in Paso Finos, but I sure would have liked to get a pair of scissors and given him a little trim so he could see!!! ssshhh....don't tell anyone I said that!





Fantasma is a real heart-breaker. He just has a sweetness and gentleness to him that I just adored.





I couldn't have asked for a more scenic background than this lovely pond...and the rolling hills behind it. So pretty. Perhaps German and Brandie will build a lovely house back there someday. (hint, hint)


Note to German - so sorry but I just had to nix you out of these pics!!! hah!

A Few For Brandie...

Yesterday I spent the day at a lovely little farm called Santa Ana Paso Finos. It has beautiful rolling hills and a lovely pond. We took hundreds of photos (which I will post more of soon). Here is a series I took of Brandie and their gorgeous stallion. He was just too, too sweet!





LOVE this pic!!! Have you been kissed by a horse lately???