Though we can’t believe the trip is over, we are so grateful for such a wonderful time! The horses were glorious, as they always are, but the best part of the trip was the old friendships renewed and the new friendships created. With great companions on the trip and marvelous farms to visit….the excitement of the Auction and then the Expo….we’re exhausted but happy. Back to States tonight…then a clinic in Canada this weekend, then off to Spain and Portugal. Debra and I hope you’ll join us soon. Whether it’s a clinic in Germany or England or Chicago or New Jersey, better still the Symposium in September, there are horses to learn from and friends to meet all around the world.
We’ve put up a video of the wonderful Lusitanos that arrived at our barn last month. It’s about eleven minutes, but hang on til the end as the horses are introduced in two groups; the first is a group of three horses from one renowned breeder in Brasil, and the second group of horses came from two other fantastic breeders. I’ll be posting a full report, with images, from the April Symposium soon. We enjoyed perfect weather, lively discussions, great riding, informative lectures and demonstrations, and fabulous food! Make plans now to join us for the Classical Series, Part 3. We’ll host the last Symposium of the year here in Healdsburg on September 30 through October 2. Contact Debra soon! (707 696 2828 )
You can see a little more about each horse on our Horses For Sale tab…above. Enjoy!
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As a reminder for the wonderful trip we have coming up for Brasil we have posted a short video from our trip last May. After the Auction and before the Expo we hold a three-day intensive clinic at Manege Sant Adelaide, home to our friend Davi Carrano. Have a look on the “BRASIL TRIP DETAIL” page here on the blog for an itinerary.
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If that isn’t enough excitement, how about this: There are SEVEN, yes SEVEN horses from Brasil arriving here beginning tonight. I’ll be posting images and descriptions beginning tomorrow. During the APRIL SYMPOSIUM we will introduce “The Magnificent Seven” during a champagne reception on Saturday evening. All the registered attendees are invited….it’s not too late to sign up! Call Debra ~ 707-696-2828. Amorosa Bella Wines has generously supplied their Amorosa Bella Sparkling Brut and we’ll have light hors d’oeuvres while the Seven are being introduced. They won’t last long, people are already slated to visit beginning next week for a sneak preview.
Thank you to all our guests who attended the January Symposium here at Barbier Farms. After a rainy start on Friday, the weather cleared and we enjoyed a weekend full of warmth and sunshine.
We had the great pleasure to share our new format with more than 35 attendees. Morning lectures, a guided meditation, and afternoon lectures, all accompanied by stunning imagery, created the structure of the clinic. We had great discussions about the heritage and tradition of Classical Equitation, about the gifts of the Masters and how we use the teaching today, and about the fundamentals of preparing your horse for work in relaxation. Learning to see was a constant thread through all the discussions. If we can’t tell the difference between a horse working in relaxation and a horse creating movement from rigidity, we will never be able to visualize what we want, therefore we will never be able to communicate clearly with our horses, our dancing partners.
Participants ranged in age from 10 to 87! Eventers, jumpers, and dressage enthusiasts all enjoyed the different levels of work that the horses demonstrated. And I had a wonderful time with Sedoso (MAC). He felt like doing canter pirouettes (correct three-beat pirouettes) and a piaffe and passage tour, so we did. It was great to spend some time with my horse and share the pleasure with the audience that he always gives me.
On Saturday night we held a wonderful dinner in our home, with 44 guests. It was a noisy, raucous affair and a great time was had by all. It was especially gratifying to see people from all over the country mixing and enjoying each other’s company, all sharing one common bond ~ the love of our horses. We had attendees from Oregon, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Iowa, Florida, New Mexico, and all over California.
It was a great pleasure to have Laurie Wachter, friend, neighbor, and “mom” to Primo and Zacharias….participating with her two beautiful Lusitanos. Candida Von Braun, whose pictures with Herodes have been featured here, bravely attended the clinic though she had been sick with a flu. It was great to see you, Candida, and we look forward to having you back in the ring in April! Sade Cain, Alex Tett, Nina Stein, and Caitlyn Holden made up our youth contingent. They all did an amazing job with their horses, showing the old folks how truly easy it can be to create a beautiful partnership, in lightness, with your horse. Brava, girls! Keep up the fabulous work and please….careful over those fences!
We’re currently preparing for the next event in the Symposium Series. The dates are: April 15, 16, and 17. Mark your calendar NOW….make your plane reservations SOON…and come enjoy the warmth and sunshine of a California spring with us.
