Carlos Tobon was born in Colombia, SA, and is a third generation Paso Fino breeder. His grandfather, Alfonso Tobon was best known for his outstanding producing broodmare, La Ligia, who was the mother of three Colombian National Champions: Monarca, Contrapunto and Pirata. Of these horses, Monarca has had an impact on the Paso Fino here in the United States through his grandson, Majestuoso, but the famous Contrapunto has influenced the breed in all countries, himself being a Colombian National Champion and World Champion Fino Stallion.
Carlos' father, Eduardo, made the decision to move the family and their patrimony of horses to the United States in 1982. Eduardo brought to the US the only full brother to Contrapunto, Caruso de la Ate and continued the family breeding program. Through his Caruso daughter, Claudia, her mother being a daughter of Monarca, Eduardo produced the 1984 World Champion fino colt, Pitufo.
While Carlos continues to breed outstanding Paso Fino horses (visit our Sales and Breeding pages) he has concentrated on his love of training and educating. A graduate of Lenoir Rhyne College in Hickory, NC, with a degree in International Business, Carlos has taken the family business to the next level. A successful trainer with numerous National Champions to his credit in fino, performance and pleasure, Carlos also has an insight into the thought process of the Paso Fino horse. Carlos has a unique gift to "read" the horse as well as its rider to teach the rider to ride his horse from a training perspective. His clinics, held throughout the US, Canada and Europe since 1997, are always well attended with clinicians marveling at the changes in their horses after a few short sessions. We have developed close friends and clients for years with the honesty and success of Carlos' system. Many of these success stories are showcased on our "Testimonials" page. Now in the Ocala area, Carlos has taken the next step by opening The Studio, a school dedicated to teaching all aspects of the Paso Fino. In addition, Carlos is a published author, and has a book and several DVDs available - all supporting his goals of education. Learn more about his publications on the Book/DVD page. Congratulations to Carlos for recognition of his service to the breed - he was selected 2007 PFHA Trainer of the Year!

Tara Tobon is a native of New York and grew up riding hunt seat equitation at a local lesson barn where she showed on the New York circuit. Her love of horses continued through college (where she rode Intercollegiate for Lafayette in Easton, PA) and beyond. While stationed in Germany for three years, Tara learned the art of Dressage and after returning to the US in Texas, she opened a stable where she taught dressage and horsemanship lessons to riders from all disciplines with all breeds of horses. Adjusting this learning of equine/human physiology from the diagonally gaited breeds to the laterally gaited Paso Fino was a unique challenge for Tara, but honed her skills in teaching riders to transition from other disciplines to the Paso Fino horse, which is a huge asset to The Studio. A beautiful blending of the traditional Colombian riding with classical Dressage has enabled The Studio to maximize the horse/rider relationship. While Tara's main employment has always been outside The Studio, she assists where she can teaching from a perspective more aimed at rider equitation and the rider's body influence over the horse. This perspective has helped riders from all gaited breeds and will be an offering The Studio will develop in years ahead.