2009 Startown Stables Charity Fun Show

If you live around here and travel on Startown Road you know of Startown Stables. It's a wonderful Paso Fino Horse Farm that sits right along Startown Road. You can't miss it. And those of you who travel that road early in the mornings have surely seen Mr. Alvaro Iriarte riding his beautiful Paso Finos along the edge of the pastures, rain or shine. It's truly a wonderful place. I have been blessed to be part of their world for the past couple of years now. They have taken me and my family in and just treat us like part of their family. That's just the kind of people they are. Loving, giving, full of life. This giving nature is what prompts them to host events like this year's Startown Charity Fun Show.

This year's Fun Show was held last Saturday (June 6th) at the Latta Park Equestrian Center in Huntersville, NC. The purpose of the show was to help raise funds and awareness for the Be the Match Foundation - The National (Bone) Marrow Donor Program.

This foundation is very near and dear to the heart's of the Iriarte family. They
lost one of their own last year to leukemia. Juan Carlos Iriarte was on the list to receive a Bone Marrow Transplant but lost his battle with leukemia before he could get the transplant. Since then, the Iriarte family has worked very hard to help spread the word about how important it is to be a Bone Marrow Donor. How you could potentially save another person's life.

They are so pleased to report that 46 new donors were added to the registry on Saturday! A big thank you to all who registered! I'm pleased to say that my daughter and I registered as well. Here's Stephanie going through the sign-up process. So simple! Just swap the inside 4 corners of your cheeks, fill out some paperwork and you're done! You never know who might be out there who needs your help.

Another amazing program participating in this year's event was the Misty Meadows Mitey Riders. Meet Rebecca. This beautiful and courageous young lady has cerebral palsy. You'd never know it by looking at her!!!

Rebecca, led by her cousin Debby, rode around the arena for everyone to see. She just beamed! Debby said she had only had 3 sessions with her prior to her exhibition! She looked just wonderful out there and I know she touched the hearts of everyone in the crowd.

Way to go Rebecca!!

It was just a wonderful day. Can't wait to go again next year!

For more information, please check out the following links:

Startown Stables
Owned by Alvaro Iriarte - Newton, North Carolina
http://www.startownstables.com
828-465-3322

National Marrow Donor Program
Be The Match Foundation
http://www.marrow.org
1(800)MARROW-2

Misty Meadows - The Mitey Riders Therapeutic Riding Program
Waxhaw, North Carolina
http://www.miteyrider.com
704-841-0602

Dancers
Carmen Woschkolup, Director GrupoLatino de RockHill
803-322-2652

Portrait of a Horsewoman ~ Portrait Photographer, Catawba Cnty, NC

Been working on a big blog post regarding Saturday's Paso Fino event, when I came across this photo. It speaks to me. All dressed in black with her face partially concealed, she has an air of mystery about her. oooh la la! :)

I'm sure I'll come across many more of these gems as I edit.

Eye On The Prize ~ Portrait Photograher, Catawba Cnty, NC

Miss "A" competing in one of several events throughout the day. She is quite the accomplished little horsewoman!!

This is just a really tiny sneak peek at what my daughter, Stephanie, and I did on Saturday. We spent the entire day around our beloved Paso Fino friends and their beautiful horses. Startown Stables hosted their annual Fun Show at Latta Plantation Equestrian Center in Huntersville. The purpose of the Fun Show was to raise funds and awareness for the National (Bone) Marrow Donor Program.

I took approximately 1500 pictures! I have so many I want to share with you and I have so much I want to tell you about the day. So please check back over the next few days and see what the day was all about.

A Secret Thrill

As some of you know, on occassion, I get the opportunity to photograph one of God's most beautiful creatures ... the horse. I've always admired horses from afar - in a pasture, on t.v., etc., but other than that, have no experience with them. Then about a year and a half ago I was introduced to the beautiful Paso Fino and my love of horses was transformed into a tangible thing. I've had the most awesome opportunity to spend time with and photograph these gorgeous creatures many times now and I never tire of it. I just adore them. I admit to being a little nervous around them at first. They are, after-all, much bigger than me! But I've learned to read their body language and now feel much more comfortable around them. I never pass up an opportunity to try and capture their beauty on film.

I met this little lady on Saturday. Her name is Canteleta and she was sooo sweet!

My girls usually tag along any chance they get. Miss "K" got such a thrill when Lisa asked if she could hold Canteleta for a moment. Just look at her face! I think it's so awesome that they have had the opportunity to spend time with these gorgeous animals as well. We'll probably never own a horse. So this is the next best thing!!!