Rancho El Destino

Meet Juan Carlos Iriarte and Lisa Dwyer of Rancho El Destino. Fate plopped us down in the same place at the same time just a couple of weeks ago. At Doc Robinson's. He is our local country vet with a waiting room the size of a pea.

I was there with our almost 15 year old dog who wasn't feeling well, and they were there with an adorable newly adopted puppy. It was a long wait - well over 2 hours - so in that tiny pea-sized room we began chit-chatting. I learned that Juan was a horse trainer and that he and Lisa owned a ranch. They learned that I was a photographer. They asked if I took pictures of horses....

And that is how I ended up at Rancho El Destino. I can't tell you what a fabulous time I had. Horses are such beautiful, graceful creatures. They are a real pleasure to photograph. But there was much more to it than just capturing a pretty image! Juan taught me what to look for and when to snap the shutter. He knew exactly what he wanted. All I can say is, for me, it was really cool.

These beauties are Paso Finos. Juan and his family have been training these horses for 5 generations. Juan's father owns Startown Stables, another local Paso Fino stable.

Juan's method of training is quiet and calm. I thought of him as a "horse whisperer". He's very disciplined and you can see that his horses have a great deal of respect for him. He and Lisa's stable is beautiful. Neat as a pin and runs like a well-oiled machine. The animals of Rancho El Destino are treated like royalty. And I think they know it.

Here Juan is wearing the customary chaps that are part of the Paso Fino show finery. They are VERY long and weigh a ton! Look, they almost drag the ground!

Lisa told me that she learned to ride just a little over two years ago. I would have never known. She rides like a seasoned pro and handles horses like she's been around them her entire life.

This is Chepe, one of Juan and Lisa's two newly adopted pound puppies. After a morning of frolicking in the barns and fields he was just plum tuckered and decided to lay down and take a nap. My kids and I are just in love with him. He is a doll.

Just look at these faces. Gotta love those big soulful eyes and those soft as satin noses ....

As I said, neat as a pin and perfectly organized. That's the way Rancho El Destino works.

I think you now know how much I enjoyed my time at Juan and Lisa's. I will be studying up on my equine photography so that next time I can take even better pictures for them.

You can learn more about Rancho El Destino by visiting http://www.ranchoeldestino.com/

Juan and Lisa, I just want to say thanks for giving me the opportunity to come and shoot for you. And for being so patient and taking the time to answer my endless questions.

Juan, we're thinking of you, and hope you get well soon.

~ Sandy