Brazil trip report

Brazil trip report

Though long overdue, there is much to say about our trip to Brasil in late May/early June.

We arrived and went immediately to the show ground for the International Lusitano Expo in Tatui. Our friend, Dr. Clélia Erwenne has done a tremendous job at Hipica Tatui. The atmosphere was relaxed and inviting. Congratulations Dr. Clélia!

Though the numbers were smaller this year, we saw young horses of good quality from a good number of breeders. Roberto Pedrosa, of Haras do Drosa, took home Best Exhibitor and many placings with gold medals in the classes. It was great to connect with old friends and see their babies and horses at the show. Raul Silva from Rocas do Vouga, Cecilia Gonzaga from Interagro, Geraldo LeFosse from Haras das Mangueiras, Davi Carrano from Manege Sant’ Adelaide, Ndzinji Pontes and Isabella Sanches from Coudelaria Funçao….and the list goes on! It’s been nearly 20 years that we’ve been traveling to Brasil in search of great Lusitanos. While they continue to be our reason, the real treasure has turned out to be the friendships we’ve created. The Lusitano world has lost a number of very important friends and breeders this year, so it is all the more reason to acknowledge the relationships that exist within this special group.

After the fun of the Expo, we visited the farms and Debra’s babies! It is with great pleasure and pride that we say the H, I, J, and L babies are coming along splendidly! After just two months of handling and initial riding, Hermes DB and Herodes DB are showing the qualities that make us love the Lusitano. They are steady, willing, expressive and courageous! (And they are sons of our very own BAILADO DO TOP!). We hope to take the I, J, & L babies to the 2017 Expo. Debra is particularly proud that Larapio DB and Lagarticha DB are showing all the great qualities of their namesakes.

Lastly, congratulations to Caylee Sparry on the purchase of her new horse, Galan Do Nico.  He’s a lovely fellow and will bring you many years of joy and learning!

Stay tuned….Debra and I are planning a buyers-only trip back to Brasil in the fall. With all the horses fresh in our minds AND the dollar still so high, it’s time to go with us! Contact Debra for details:  barbierfarm AT aol.com. And don’t forget, click on the link for the Symposium above and join us in Healdsburg October 7, 8, and 9 for the 13th Classical Series Symposium!

Amities~

Dominique and Debra Barbier

Have a look at Herodes, just several weeks under saddle. Thank you, Davi, for the wonderful video surprise!

Generation “I”

Generation “I”

Another generation "I" baby.

Another generation “I” baby.

Generation "J" baby

Generation “J” baby

Feeding time for all the youngsters, a country life.

Feeding time for all the youngsters, a country life.

Generation “L” baby!

Generation “L” baby!

Caylee and Galan do Nico

Caylee and Galan do Nico

 

 

 

 

The Société pour L’Art Equestre website is up!

The Société pour L’Art Equestre website is up!

The webpage for the foundation is up and the video archive and content is growing each week. Have a look and please share with your friends.

We will keep you updated about our latest projects, all designed to bring honorable, compassionate, sustainable and enlightened training practices to equestrians young and old.

And to further your education, make your plans now to join us for the Thirteenth Classical Series Symposium in October. Invite your friends and join us for a wonderful weekend during the harvest here in Sonoma Valley. There are spaces left for auditors and just a few spots for riders after the Symposium. Contact Debra (harbierfarm @ aol.com) for more information and click on the link for registration. https://blog.dominiquebarbier.com/october2016symposium/

The link for the Société website:

http://www.societeartequestre.com

Debra and I are headed to Brasil in about ten days. (make plans to join us next year…generally the last two weeks of May…) We’ll be visiting the farms, riding Lusitanos, and watching the International Lusitano Expo. We’ll try to post some Facebook updates.  And please, click LIKE on our Barbier Farms and Société pour L’Art Equestre pages. It helps us keep you informed!

Thirteenth Classical Series Symposium!

Thirteenth Classical Series Symposium!

The dates are set! The reservations are pouring in…make your plans now! Harvest time is super busy here in Sonoma Valley, but it is also a beautiful time of year to visit. Click on the tab above for the Symposium October 2016 for all the details.  Stay tuned to the blog for announcements about the Saturday night entertainment, reception, and dinner. Dancing Horse Events will be catering again (always delicious) and we’ll have a special guest for entertainment, along with the horses and riders of Barbier Farm. As always, feel free to write with any questions. ( barbierfarm @ aol.com )

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©Keron Psillas

The 12th Classical Series Symposium Report

The 12th Classical Series Symposium Report

Riders from Europe, Canada, Great Britain and the US gathered in Healdsburg for our twelfth symposium. Though we had a bit of rain on Friday, the weather cleared and gave us beautiful California sunshine for the rest of the weekend.

We had good questions from the young riders, reinforcing our commitment to education. People want to know what good riding, what good partnership means. People want to know how to ride with compassion, with sustainable methods, with enlightenment and honor. This tells me that we are following the correct path for our students, for our horses, and for the people who want to find a better way to BE with their equestrian partners.

Our overall feeling that everyone wants to know more about the role of the horse in our growth and compassion was reinforced. They are seeking a greater understanding of partnership and relationship, as well as the relationship between the mental and spiritual connection that our horses offer us.

Of course we had fabulous food from Dancing Horse Vineyard Catering! Thank you, Tianna! Marvelous music from Ramana Vieira…took us right back to Portugal. And as always, a huge thank you to Debra and her tremendous staff in the barn for the organization and work to make it all happen so beautifully!

Join us next time for the fun, for the learning, and for the camaraderie. It’s a wonderful event filled with insights and revelations…with the added gift of our magical Lusitanos.

Coming up soon: A new clinic in Germany! I’ll be in Toppenstedt, GERMANY, with Mr. Heiner Putensen contact: phone +494173500144, email: deegenhoff-lehrgang@web.de on March 11, 12 & 13.  I’ll be offering a lecture (on the morning of Friday March 11) in addition to the clinic which will give all new attendees a deeper understanding of the methods and philosophy that have guided me this last 40 years. There is still space available for a rider and of course space for auditors! I hope to see you there!  Check the clinic schedule tab above for all the latest dates.

Thank you to Staci for the photos!

Amities,

Dominique

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