We are so excited to let you know that there is an exclusive excerpt from The Alchemy of Lightness in the October issue of Dressage Today! So go grab the magazine….and then order your book! They will be available, right here on the blog, beginning November 1! You can pre-order yours by clicking the title tab on top of this page. Thank you!
Dominique has returned from a brief tour in Portugal….filled with old friends, great horses, even better food, and lots of fun. Dominique visited Keron Psillas, who now lives in Portugal for a lot of the year. Catching up with Mestre Luis Valença and his family was the first excursion and then we visited Senhor Manuel Braga, Senhor Manuel Veiga, and Senhor Manuel Coimbra. Each of these gentleman is renowned for their breeding of fine Lusitanos and the horses we saw were evidence of their breeding excellence. We saw Carlos Oliveira’s horses, renowned ‘apresentador’ from Portugal, whom we first met in Brasil a number of years ago. It was a pleasure to spend time together.
Enjoy the photos….back in several days with the next report.
Long overdue, but here it is! We had another informative, engaging Symposium over the Bastille Day weekend here at Barbier Farms. Participants from all over the US and Canada enjoyed provocative lectures and great riding demonstrations and lessons.
Dominique offered several lectures with themes from his new book (to be released November 1...here’s the link) The Alchemy of Lightness: What Happens Between Horse and Rider on a Molecular Level. We also enjoyed a fantastic champagne reception with several marvelous riding exhibitions and capped the evening off with a delicious catered dinner in the stables.
Enjoy the gallery of images…and then sign up for the February Symposium! The dates are set (February 7, 8, & 9), the links are up (see the tab above) and the hotel rates are in place! And remember, a Symposium registration makes a great Holiday gift for your barn-buddy!
It is with deep sadness that we note the passing of an extraordinary woman, a dear friend and mentor, Mrs. Molly Sivewright, FBHS, DBHS. She touched so many lives, human and equine. This brushes the sadness aside to allow gratitude to take its place. Though I am certain my voice is one among many thousands to express my condolences, it is important for me to acknowledge the early teaching she so generously gave to me.
Early in my riding career I was a little misdirected in my goals. I wanted to be as good a rider, technically, as I could be. I developed tricks to train horses better and more quickly (I thought), but the results were temporary. Then one morning I was given a special horse to ride, a beautiful and refined mare named Golden Celadon.
For two weeks it was a complete disaster. There was no mental communication between us, nor could I take physical hold of her. I used all my tricks, one by one, with no success. Her mind was on everything, everywhere, but not with me.
After a long period, Mrs. Sivewright (whom I was sure had been watching every failure of mine) asked if I wanted some help. YES! I replied. She said, simply, “walk around the fields and listen to the birds.” This made me a little angry, but I would have done anything at this point, so off I went.
The fields were large, but Mrs. Sivewright made certain I went around twice, listening to the birds. The mare’s walk was much calmer than before. And after a time she said “for whatever you want, just ask politely”. The mare and I quickly bonded and she led me to many more discoveries.
This set the stage for all the understanding and growth I would access later in Portugal with Mestre Oliveira. But Mrs. Sivewright was the first person to speak to me about another way of riding, a clearer, non ego-based riding. A riding based on calm, polite, mental communication. I have never forgotten those lessons and they helped form the base of much of my riding philosophy. I will be eternally grateful.
Join us for this wonderful adventure. The Expo is a great opportunity to learn much about the history, breeding, and morphology of the Lusitano. We’ll make new friends, see old friends, and learn! Click on the Tab above to make your reservation deposit. CONFIRMED DATES!!!! October 15 to October 27!
We had a wonderful weekend at home with guests from several continents for our latest Symposium! The weather, though a little chilly around the edges, was sunny and bright. We had nearly 40 guests in the barn for three days enjoying great lectures, riding lessons, and demonstrations. Saturday night even saw the appearance of a budding theater group in the form of our working students and barn manager. They’ve set the bar high for an even better performance at the next Symposium (July 12, 13, & 14.)
Our lectures this symposium: The Evil of Contact, Riding to Expand Consciousness, Flying Changes, Long-Reining, and the Molecular Exchange of Work-In-Hand and Longeing. So we had a great mixture of the practical and the philosophical, all steeped in the Classical Tradition. Click the tab above to sign up for the July event. We were very nearly at capacity this time and we expect the July event to be sold out. Debra and I are looking forward to welcoming you here, at Barbier Farms.
In addition to the next Symposium, we announced our Annual Auction trip to Brasil. We’ll be going mid-May to attend the International Auction at Coudelaria Ihla Verde, home to our good friend, Victor Oliva. There will be a CDI***, a riding clinic with Debra and Dominique, and the second stage of the Brasilian Working Equitation Championships. Of course, we’ll be visiting the best farms to find exceptional Lusitanos. If you’ve been thinking of traveling to Brasil with Dominique and Debra, contact us soon! We’ll have all the details on our dedicated page within the week. Click the tab: May 2013 Brasil.
We also introduced the DVD that has finally arrived! The January 2012 Symposium was the backdrop for Jolanda Ellenberger’s beautiful film. Click on the link (here) to order your copy now. We also, thankfully, had just received our embroidered stadium blankets. They were a big hit during the cold mornings this past weekend….order yours now! (click here)
Stay warm, ride well, come see us here in Healdsburg or during on of our clinics around the world. We’ll begin posting clinic dates in the coming weeks. Contact Debra if you are interested in hosting your own! 707-696-2828
Amities~DDBarbier
Here’s a great gallery of images by Keron….enjoy!