The Tobons and their Paso Fino Studio have assisted many clients in their purchase of show horses of all levels as well as recreational horses and lesson horses. In addition the Tobons have advised on formation of several successful breeding programs.  The following testimonials are from clients and students over the past 15 years.  We are blessed to provide them as references.

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We have known Carlos and Tara Tobon since we became interested in Paso Finos about 10 years ago. At that time I was a very inexperienced rider (I had not been on a horse for probably 30 years) but had decided I wanted a Paso Fino. We were not interested in showing or breeding but only wanted a pleasure horse. Carlos did an excellent job of matching me with a mare which had the perfect disposition for a beginner. He didn’t consider it a “done deal” after we purchased the horse but continued to give me riding lessons until I was comfortable being on my own. Like a lot of people in this breed, our goals changed pretty quickly. After attending some shows we decided we wanted to show and breed. Carlos set up a breeding program and helped us select mares that were competitive and also had the qualities to make good broodmares. Our mares have done well in the ring in both open and amateur owner and are also producing babies which are successful in the ring. We came home from the 2005 Nationals with 3 placements and 1 honorable mention from 3 year olds produced by our mares. In addition to considering he and Tara dear friends, Carlos has trained our horses, trained my husband and myself, and evaluated our horses. He has an excellent ability to judge a horse’s talent and determine where they will best perform instead of trying to make them something they are not. We have been very pleased with his training methods and his manner of handling young horses. If a horse does not fit our program or simply needs a break from training for a while, his thought is for the owner or the horse not how it will affect him financially. Our horses have followed the Tobon’s from Texas to Louisiana and now to Florida. Hopefully if they move again, it will be back to Texas. Gerald and Diane Jones La Fogata Paso Finos Willis, Texas

My family would echo all the comments and praises regarding the abilities and character of Carlos and Tara Tobon found in these testimonials.  We first met Carlos over twelve years ago.  He was busy getting horses ready for a show when he came upon a little girl he found a bit in tears and frustrated over trying to ride her horse at one of her first Paso Fino Horse shows. He stopped what he was doing and used his own valuable time to help that little girl with her horse. Of course, that little girl was our daughter, and we were so touched by this pure act of kindness. Later that year, Carlos and Tara conducted a youth clinic at Nationals and once again we were so impressed by their knowledge of training, riding and their patience with the children and their horses.  When my son's horse was injured right before Nationals one year, Carlos worked diligently to locate another horse so he could successfully compete -- he did -- winning four National Championship ribbons. Our daughter has ridden their horses to National Championships as well -- accumulating two Reserve National Championships in Pleasure Junior. These are just a few of the many examples of how both Carlos and Tara have assisted and touched our family over the years. They are truly interested in assisting you with your horse, and making sure your horse matches your needs and desires. The Tobons have also guided us in our own breeding program, and today, we have horses with some of the finest Paso Fino blood lines you will find anywhere. Without Carlos and Tara's guidance, we do not believe we would have had the success we have experienced at Nationals. Our daughter is now 20 years old and our son is 16 years old, and both have truly enjoyed showing their Paso Fino horses much to the credit of the Tobons.  In short, we do not believe you can give anyone higher praise than to point out that we entrusted to their care at various times over these years our greatest treasure -- our children.  Thank you Carlos and Tara and here's to many more years together-- working with the truly incredible and loving Paso Fino Horse. Ann Hagan, Jim, Shelley and Ross DeLong, Pine Meadows Paso Finos, Mexico MO

Carlos,   One of the the best thing I can say about doing business with you is how you DID NOT take me as a customer.  When we met, I was new to horse ownership.  I knew little about horses, much less Paso Finos, and less about riding.    My complaint was Speedy did not gait.  You worked with her for a month as I requested.  At the end of the month, rather than telling me that I should place her in training for six months, you were honest and told me not to waste my hard earned money on training for Speedy.  You gave me an honest evaluation of her conformation and character.  You understood my goal was to have a trail horse and you advised me on how to work with Speedy, what type of head gear to use etc.  Her progress would have been much faster if she was under your tutelage, but with your guidance and advice she has become a fine trail horse and gives me countless hours of pleasure.  And yes, she can gait!  It just took an long time to bring it out of her.   I appreciate your honesty and vast extent of your knowledge and experience.  I would recommend that anyone who has a Paso Fino or is thinking of buying one to seek your guidance.   Matthew Feinberg Avatar Computer Solutions, Inc 10330-L Lake Road Houston TX 77070

What do you want from your experience with Paso Fino horses? My dream was finding a unique horse activity for my family, and achieving some success in the breed. Let me share how Carlos Tobon has helped us work toward and achieve those goals. I first met Carlos when he judged a show in St. Louis, Missouri about 10 years ago. The performance mare I owned at the time was talented but unpredictable, and nearly impossible to get through a class. On top of that, I was inexperienced and having a frustrating time. I will never forget that class, however, because of Carlos’ assistance and patience. There he was, judging the class, but also coaching me and my horse over the board and through a figure eight! (He explained later that he really liked that mare!) My family relocated to Texas in 2001, and we had two horses, both intended for my daughters. We kept running into Carlos & Tara at the various Texas shows. I had watched Carlos carefully over the years, evaluating his ‘style’ and wondering if he would be a good trainer for us. Finally, in 2004, at the Marshall show, I approached Carlos about working with my two daughters. Both were talented riders, but we had one horse that was difficult and another that was a great beginner’s horse but not a great show horse. Carlos began working with us, and we leased Tara’s wonderful mare, Esmarelda del Eden, that summer and fall. We attended the national show for the first time, with both daughters garnering respectable placements. To Carlos’ and Tara’s credit, they worked with our less-than-talented gelding, helping my younger daughter achieve great success!! We were actively looking for a horse for my older daughter, and Carlos helped us locate a colt. Carlos showed him at the 2004 Nationals and placed 3rd in the 4 YO pleasure colts’ class. We began showing in A/O and youth classes after nationals, and Chaq proved to be a true winner for us. In fact, we won the Grand National A/O Pleasure Stallions Championship class in 2005. That was a dream-come-true for me. Carlos then helped us sell our wonderful gelding, Amigo, to a family farm in Connecticut. We found a talented mare to replace Amigo, and my daughter won a national championship in 2006. We then asked Carlos & Tara to help us find a performance horse, and we went horse-hunting with them throughout the Ocala area. After three days of looking, riding, and looking some more, we found a young horse for which we have high hopes. We are grateful for the commitment Carlos & Tara have shown us at every step along the way. We continue to be impressed with Carlos’ & Tara’s integrity; they are always straight with us and always gracious when we don’t know what we’re doing! They have embraced our children and taught them to improve their riding abilities. They have willingly shared their combined knowledge in an ongoing effort to educate us. They are true teachers. They have a passion for the breed, for their clients, and for the welfare of PFHA. Most importantly, they have spent time understanding what it is that we want from this Paso Fino experience, and figuring out how to best match our desires. That is a rare quality, and we appreciate it. Finally, we count Carlos and Tara as good friends, and we have also fallen for their precocious and impossibly cute daughter, Isabella. We feel fortunate and proud to be associated with them and with Paso Fino Studio. They’ve helped turn our dreams into truths. - Paul, Annette, Carrie & Alison Crooks, Aubrey, TX

I know Carlos since he held his first clinic in Germany in 2000. He found two wonderful mares for me: Royal Oak Sabrina (below left) who is my personal riding horse and gave us three wonderful foals by now, and A capella`s Maraca (below right) who won Reserve European Champion in Pleasure Amateur in 2006. I`m very glad to know Carlos both as a true friend and teacher. He helped (and still helps) me a lot with learning about the Paso Fino horse, the training and showing of these wonderful horses and their breeding, too.   Del Sastre Paso Finos Cornelia Schneider Schwartenbergweg 7 D-09548 Kurort Seiffen

In 2002 I started to ride Paso Finos. This was also when I participated at a clinic that Carlos held in Germany at Doris Sperber’s Sternberghof. I have to say that I was (and still I am) impressed by his way to teach and to find the best way for making the rider and his horse a perfect match. Since then I participated at all clinics he held here in Germany. Carlos always easily and understandable explains how to ride the horse, how to evaluate and handle the strengths and weaknesses of a horse and the rider, to motivate horse and rider to give their best. He also tought me to develop a feeling for the horse that I am riding and to become more secure to handle and ride the horses. Carlos’ talent to train and teach by looking at the whole picture and not only the “technical” way to ride makes him such a good and individual trainer and teacher. Because he evaluates the riders’ and horses’ abilities and the goals that the rider wishes to reach with his horse. May it be a wonderful partner and trail horse or a show horse. During all the lessons I learned a lot about Paso Fino horses in general, about the way to train and ride them and about the different effects of the tack that is chosen. As one of the highlights since I am riding Paso Finos, Carlos also helped me last year in finding my real dream horse. He did not get tired for almost a year to travel around and to look at many horses to make sure, that the horse I am buying fulfils most possible points of my “wish-list”. Carlos, thank you very much for finding Mamba for me!  Sending you all my best regards from Germany, Britta

I just wanted to THANK YOU for coming our way and sharing your talent and love for the Paso Fino with us!   You've given me, personally, a positive direction to go with Captain and also led me to think "laterally" regarding the requirements of riding Paso Finos (I've got some changes in my riding style to make).  You TRULY have great intuition and feel in your training methods, which I was so privileged to have experienced.  I came back with a great appreciation for you and your kind soul, Carlos.  I was greatly impressed with someone of your caliber being so humble and honest (brutally at times, but appreciated ).   Quick note:  Experiencing you as a trainer actually was quite "spiritual" for me, if you will.  Seeing your demeanor, hearing your vocal input to the riders, and observing your feel of horse and rider was as if Jill K. Hassler-Scoop was teaching!  I truly believe you two are kindred souls and I can only be so grateful to have crossed paths, again, with such incredible talent and stewardship of the horse.   Thank you, Carlos, and I look forward to your instruction in the future. Take care for now and, again, many thanks for a great clinic.   Warmly,  Char and Captain, attendees of Oregon clinic, June 2007

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