Debra Barbier

An accomplished instructor and trainer, Debra Barbier’s career began by riding three-day event horses and jumpers. Having earned her instructor’s certificate she headed a riding school whose mainstay was providing courses for individuals pursuing certification as instructors. Wishing to further her pursuit of dressage, she moved to study full-time with Dominique in Sun Valley, Idaho. Debra excels as both a trainer and instructor thanks to her deeply rooted patience and knowledge of both horses and riders. During her long career, Debra has worked with many breeds, but has recently focused her efforts almost exclusively on the beloved Lusitano. “Their honest, generous nature allows them to form a sharing partnership with their riders.” Instructing both at home and abroad, Debra often accompanies Dominique to Brazil and shares in his quest to import the best Lusitanos and provide many clients with their “dream horse.” Debra’s passion for the Lusitano and particularly a very special lineage of horses from Brazil has manifested itself in her own breeding program. She has imported a number of her stunning young horses, and Dominique and Debra now own and breed three amazing stallions. Larapio MAC, Bailado Do Top, and Xihao AR, the only APSL approved Alter stallion in the US.

Dominique and Debra and their daughters Domina and Tianna, reside in Northern California in the Sonoma Valley along with 20 or more Lusitano stallions in the barn at any given time. Dominique and Debra grow Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in their vineyard in Healdsburg. The Classical Series Symposium is offered two times each year at their home. This event is widely attended and draws riders from all over the globe. Private instruction can be arranged year-round. This is a special opportunity for students to come and enjoy the experience of riding highly trained Lusitanos with both Dominique and Debra teaching. Dominique continues to offer clinics and multi-media lectures around the world. He is regularly in Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Portugal and Brazil.