Starry Haven Farms - Paso Fino Horses

11/06/2025

So excited to see who the First recipient of the Alvaro Iriarte Startown Stables Inc. High Point Legacy Award Is! He loved, loved the show ring and I know he would love encouraging others to enjoy themselves in the show ring.

Piedmont PFHA is proud to announce a new award for the Legacy show,
The Alvaro Iriarte, Startown Stables, Inc, High Point Legacy Award.

This beautiful perpetual trophy will be awarded to the high point horse of the 2025 Legacy show and will include a $500 cash prize. The trophy will be sent home with the winner, to be returned in 2026 for the next show.

We gratefully acknowledge Startown Stables, Inc, the family of Alvaro Iriarte, for donating this special award, and we are honored that it will be presented to the high point horse of the Legacy show.

09/06/2025

Today I said goodbye to my sweet Marissa. She was 31 years old and Rocky and I were blessed to have had her from birth until today. She was an exceptional ambassador to our Paso Fino Breed that was meant to be shared and loved by many. She was the first introduction to the Paso Fino horse that hundreds of students had. Although she only had a couple of national championship awards credited to her name she often made it to the “big show” with a young rider on her back. Her true contribution was in all the ways in which she loyally served at the farm. I have countless stories of unique ways in which she demonstrated her great disposition and loyalty. Because of her I was able to teach an adult student who had not been able to ride any horse since she was a child because she had sadly lost a leg. Because of her, I was able to assist my sweet aunt Fabiola to ride after she had been diagnosed with MS and was struggling to stay mobile. Because of her, I was blessed to see not only my children learn to ride but also my grandchildren. I can remember when Emilio was taking his first trail ride and I watched from behind him as Marissa went into a corto and Emilio slowly slid off to the side, landing under her belly. I watched as the Mare came to a complete stop and stood perfectly still, not moving a hair. Emilio looked up at me and said “this is quite a turn of events” I can’t wait to tell abuelito I found a new way to get off!” One of my favorite memories is when we were at the Nationals preparing for the Costume class and Rick Meyer was putting on his great exhibition of shooting guns. The big screen was showing the whole thing. My sweet Marissa looked up at that and was like “ that’s a firing range in there!” Isabel was a little nervous and began to doubt the whole situation. She said to me, “Mom, do you think I can do it?” I told her, “I know this Mare and I trust her completely. If I didn’t, we wouldn’t be here, but it’s not important what I think, it’s important what you think. If you don’t want to do this we don’t have to do this. We can just take everything off and go back to the stall. I started to do just that when she looked up at me and she said “But what about the money?’ LOL I just said, let’s not talk about the money! LOL She just took a deep breath and said “ We can do it!” And riding with one hand, and a basket of ‘fish’ on her head she proceeded to win her National Championship in Costume! Although Rocky and I were not able to be with her since we were in Florida, I was glad and thankful for the care she received in these last hours. It was fitting that Isabel was with her. She was peaceful. We will miss her. Cherish these Jewel Horses that are honorable and loyal to the end. They are a blessing to have in your lives. I know we feel extremely blessed to have had Marissa La Estrella all these 31 years.

28/05/2025

17/05/2025

The Starry Haven Farms - Paso Fino Horses team had so much fun at this year’s Summer Celebration! Little Charlie and Silvia enjoyed their very first leadline class as 5th generation Paso Fino aficionados.

Hannah Reid and Alana Iriarte placed on top in both Country Pleasure division and Pleasure Mares, with Alana bringing home a Championship ribbon.

Many thanks to Heritage Farm and Stables- Paso Fino Horses and Milda Minter for putting together a great family event!

04/04/2025

Awesome horse property! Open House today at 4:00 pm. Don’t miss it.

07/03/2025

Here is a long awaited post on our barn construction. We aren't quite finished but we have been doing this a little at a time over the last few years. Great job was done by On-Time Metal in Hiddenite, NC and B2 Industrial Solutions - Michael Burgin. We were so impressed with the quality of workmanship. I would be remiss if I didn't thank my awesome husband, Rocky Reid for the long hours and hard work on this project. follow the link below to see the progress. https://www.canva.com/design/DAGhDL0VW44/keF-VZEdV1FcWceD-Co4Mw/view?utm_content=DAGhDL0VW44&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h9a2c043e76

05/07/2024

Thank you Lord for some much needed rain.

04/07/2024

19/06/2024

And just like that! UNDER CONTRACT in Rock Barn community!! 🏠
Congratulations to Magda Reid!! We are so excited for our seller! Thank you so much for trusting Big6 Properties!

19/06/2024

This sunset view never gets old. It’s good for the soul.

16/06/2024

La Reina del Café Alana made us very proud here at Starry Haven Farms. This costume was originally made by my mother Clemencia Tobar and my sister Leonor. Victoria wore it accompanied by my brother Juan Carlos who played the part of Juan Valdez. It’s so nice to see again with our little Alana proudly representing the coffee of Colombia . This little mare is an absolute jewel!