by Keron Psillas | Nov 16, 2010 | Brazil equestrian trips, classical dressage |
Hello Friends!
As usual, Debra and I have been on the road training and visiting with many clients, friends, and horses. We have had great clinics in Ohio, Illinois, Connecticut, New Jersey, and most recently in Florida.
I am happy to tell you that I’ll be back in Florida in February to enjoy a few more days in the sunshine and to see the horses and riders (that were doing a marvelous job last week!). We are developing a wonderful group of riders in the Sarasota/Bradenton area. Join us! We will have the link up as soon as next year’s calendar is set. Until then, don’t hesitate to email us with any questions. (barbierfarm@aol.com)
Later this week I travel to Chicago, and then just after Thanksgiving we return to Brazil on a fantastic trip to visit farms, attend a very important auction, and give a riding clinic to a number of students in Brazil as well as our trip participants. Within the next week we will have the itineraries for the March ~ Carnivale ~ Bahia trip…..and the itinerary for the Expo/Auction/Clinic trip in late May. These two trips are very different, but each include plenty of riding and learning as well as time for relaxation and enjoyment.
And then, if you have always wanted to go to Portugal and Spain to see the classical schools, contact us now! We are taking a very limited group in June to see the schools and other sites in Portugal and Spain. And as a very special addition, we are traveling to Bordeaux for the world famous VinExpo. Great food, great company, glorious horses, unparalleled access and good wine…have we left anything out?? Just after Christmas we will have all the information about the trip available here on the blog as well as the website.
Here are a few images by our friend and photographer Keron Psillas. For more imagery from the Florida trip, go to her blog.
Amities~
Dominique and Debra
by Keron Psillas | Sep 20, 2010 | blog information, Brazil equestrian trips, classical dressage, Well-being of the Horse |
Debra and I are pleased to announce that we will be offering another clinic in Healdsburg from January 14th thru the 16th. Our event in August was so well received, and sold out, so it’s time to plan the next!
There will be a particular emphasis this time on greater interaction with the auditors, opportunities for auditors to experience the work-in-hand techniques, more question and answer periods and a greater audio visual component. In other words, we want EVERYONE involved! Send us an email right way to reserve your spot. Many seats are already taken. ( Barbierfarm@aol.com ).
And….coming up even sooner, we are returning to Brazil in late November. We will depart the U. S. on the 26th of November and return on the 4th or 5th of December, whichever your commitments allow. We will have a full three day clinic at the beginning of the trip on highly schooled horses in a beautiful setting, and then we will spend the next five days visiting the spectacular Lusitano horse farms. You will have the opportunity to ride horse after horse, according to your ability and interest. You will learn a great deal about the breed, see the finest the farms have to offer (only the most spectacular horses in the world) and enjoy a warm welcome of legendary Brazilian hospitality at each of the farms we visit. Please contact us via email or phone (707-696-2828). This way, Debra and I can be thinking of which farms to visit to show you horses that are most appropriate to your needs. As readers of this blog will know, Debra and I visit many of the farms several times a year to follow the training progress of literally hundreds of horses. We are confident that we can find your perfect horse. For non-buyers, this trip will educate and enlighten riders at any level. The temperament and functionality of the Lusitano breed make them the ideal horse with which to further your riding skills.
Click on the TAB above for NOVEMBER BRAZIL TRIP DETAILS! Here is a small gallery of images by Keron Psillas from our last trip and the clinic in August. Then, for more images….simply scroll down the page. You’ll see what a great time we have!
Amities…. Dominique and Debra Barbier
by Keron Psillas | Aug 25, 2010 | Brazil equestrian trips, classical dressage, Tips, Well-being of the Horse |
It’s been a very busy summer for Debra and I. This post is a sort of round-up of all the activities and a look ahead for the fall and winter.
I’m very happy to announce that Meditation for Two, my book with Keron Psillas, will be published in Switzerland and Germany, and then in Brazil! I’ll post the information on this blog when the German and Portuguese language copies are available.
This past weekend we hosted a clinic at our home in Healdsburg. It was a resounding success. We had 30+ participants (riders and auditors) and three days of lessons, lectures, and great food. There were 35 for dinner on Saturday night and a great time was had by all! What made the clinic such a success was this: all the participants were open and engaged. What I mean is that we were able to discuss the deepest meaning of riding and how it impacts our lives and our horse’s lives along with all the steps, how-to’s, and discussion of technique. We had participants aged 10 to 85 and in many ways, the youngest and the eldest were the most receptive. It was a magical time. I hope you’ll make plans now to join us in January (the 14th thru the 16th) for the next clinic here at home. There are limited spaces so sign up early by sending an email to Debra to reserve your spot. (Barbierfarm at aol.com)
Prior to the clinic at home I made a tour of the US with stops in Virginia, Florida, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Illinois. Ridiculously hot weather was the common denominator, but happy horses and riders was a close second. It was great to be back in Virginia at Classicus after a long hiatus, and it was good to see regular students progressing at all the other stops. Keep up the good work! Congratulations are in order for the group at Jill McCrae’s farm in Grayslake, Illinois. They performed a great show in late July. It had to have been pretty spectacular to see all the Lusitanos with their riders in costume. We had a visit at Jill’s from Nancy at The Royal Lusitano with news of Larapio’s babies growing up and into their personalities! Best of luck to all the group for the World Equestrian Games appearances.
In early September I’ll be traveling to New Mexico for TWO clinics around Santa Fe with Ginger Gaffney and Lynn Clifford. You can see all the contact info on the clinics page. There are a very few spots left, but plenty of room for auditors. I hope you’ll join us if you are in the area….and tell your friends, too. Then I’m off to New Jersey to Castlegate Farm. Nancy Clark tells me that her new horse, Ataualpa has adjusted nicely to life in New Jersey (he hasn’t seen snow yet….). And then after that, I am in Germany, Switzerland and Greece for a series of clinics. This past July, we had a great clinic near Munich that was hosted by my German editor and publisher, Isabella Sonntag, and I am looking forward to returning to see those students and some new ones! Then I travel north of Kiel (in the heart of Schleswig-Holstein) to conduct a clinic for Caroline Hatlapa at the Herrenhaus Borghorst. Caroline was my hostess in June when I delivered the Meditation For Two lecture to a very lively audience. I’m happy to be headed back there to teach and to see many of the people I met in June. I’m working on a few other clinics for October in Germany and Switzerland and will post the details here as soon as they are available. Then I’m off to Greece! This will be my first visit to the land of Xenophon and I am really excited.
I realize this post is rather long….but there is MORE BIG NEWS!!! Debra and I will be leading a trip to Brazil in late November. Reserve your spot now as we are bound to fill up very very quickly. Brazilian hospitality, delicious food, and of course, spectacular Lusitanos will create a once in a lifetime experience. We’ve been doing this for many years now and because we have longstanding relationships with the finest breeders we can show you the best horses to suit your needs. Debra and I will be your guides, whether you are looking for your perfect equestrian partner or the perfect equestrian vacation. All the details will be available this weekend on the blog.
Here’s a gallery of images (courtesy of Keron) from a number of the clinics this summer and the clinic here at home this past weekend. Enjoy! And check out Keron’s article in Doma Clasica (a Spanish magazine dedicated to the Equestrian Art).
Let us hear from you, and please, share the blog with friends. We are gearing up for a tremendous announcement and we want as many dedicated equestrians involved as possible!
Amities~
Dominique and Debra
by Keron Psillas | Aug 1, 2010 | Brazil equestrian trips, classical dressage |
I had forgotten to post anything about the 23rd Annual ABPSL Lusitano Expo in Sao Paolo, so here it is!
After all the excitement of the Auction at Coudelaria Ihla Verde, visiting the farms to scout and ride horses, and the training and fun of our clinic at Manege Sant Adelaide, we were all ready to unwind and sit back and watch other horses and riders. There were many beautiful horses to see, performances to watch, and friends to greet ….. (and caipirinhas to be enjoyed.)
Four days of non-stop activity culminated in the awards for Champion Stallion and Champion Mare. This year, from all the wonderful horses in the competitions, Jose Francisco Brito Eusebio took the Champion of Champions awards for both Stallion and Mare. In the competition for Champion Stallion, both qualifiers, Xeque Mate de Top and Xama do Top, were bred by our friend Tonico Pereira from Japu Top. Congratulations to Mr. Eusebio, his family, and his entire team, and to Tonico and Tatiana and all the wonderful people at Japu Top!
The exposition is designed to show the beauty, breeding, and versatility of the Lusitano horse. We were treated to a CDI*** Dressage competition with several of the Brazilian Olympic Team 2008 riders and their mounts with Axel Steiner among the judges. We watched working equitation (including the world champion rider) and saw many of the breeding classes. It’s a great way to train the eye for seeing strengths and weaknesses in confirmation. Of course we are looking at the best of the best, so it becomes more challenging to pick up a weakness.
I was able to reconnect with my friend Beatrice Bulteau and was presented with one of her fantastic drawings. Check out her site, you will be amazed at the beauty and artistic sensibility.
I must say thank you, again, to our wonderful hosts in Sao Paolo: Haras Juliana, Japu Top, Rocas do Vouga, Coudelaria Ihla Verde, Coudelaria de Castanheiro, Interagro, and Manege Sant Adelaide. We look forward to seeing you (and all the horses) in late November.
I have just finished a clinic in Indianapolis and am on my way to Springfield, Illinois, via Florida. Check the clinic schedule for all the upcoming dates. I’ll be back on the blog in a few days with a report from my clinic in Virginia at Classicus Farm and from Connecticut with my friends John Hurst and Rich and Kathy Buck.
There are still a few (Really…. a very few…) spaces available for the August clinic at home in Healdsburg. Call Debra for information! 707-696-2828
Amities,
DBarbier
by Keron Psillas | Jul 29, 2010 | classical dressage, Well-being of the Horse |
Just a quick post to let you know that our book, MEDITATION FOR TWO, is now available on Blurb (in case you really don’t want the gorgeous hand-printed, hand-bound volume with six limited edition prints….)….
I’ll be back later today with all the news and updates.
There is still very limited space in our clinic at home in Healdsburg, for both riders and auditors. I’ll have all the information, including an itinerary later today. But if you want to come and ride with us and enjoy the beautiful Sonoma Valley, send an email now! (Barbierfarm at aol.com).
Click the link for the book:
http://www.blurb.com/books/1432930
by Keron Psillas | Jul 16, 2010 | blog information, classical dressage, Well-being of the Horse |
I’ve just returned from a trip to Europe to teach and to lecture. I was invited to give a lecture at the Herrenhaus Borghorst by the kind invitation of Caroline Hatlapa. The hospitality was tremendous, the setting magical, and the guests intensely interested in riding in lightness. I presented a lecture with a multi-media component and lots of question and answer time. We had great discussions, open and direct, about true classical equitation, systematic training, and the need to ride with more compassion and care for the horses…..especially in a competition setting.
It was my pleasure to observe many fine riders and horses during the two day clinic that my friend Gerd offered at Borghorst. As we were in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, there were marvelous warmbloods, BIG HORSES, in the clinic. Thank you, to Caroline and Helena Hatlapa, Maike Theiler and Dr. Gerd and Johanna Heuschmann for such a memorable visit to the north of Germany. I am delighted to tell you that I’ll be offering a clinic at the Borghorst later in the year, with full details soon on this blog and on the website and facebook clinic schedules.
Following my visit with Caroline and her daughter Helena, I went to Munich to give a clinic to a great group of riders assembled by my friend Isabella Sonntag. Isabella is the founder of Wu Wei Verlag and publisher of my latest book in German, Wege zur Leichtigkeit in der Klassischen Dressur. Everywhere I go in Germany I am greeted by students that are absolutely hungry for a new way of riding and communicating with their horses. I am deeply encouraged by this and hope to see this desire flooding into the competition world. It gives me hope that we will all develop deeper compassion for our horses, our partners. I’ll be back in Munich teaching in late September (around the 24th) and will post more info next week. Thank you, to Isabella and Christina, and to all your team for a great clinic.
Immediately prior to my trip to Germany, I was with all my Chicago friends at Jill McCrae’s farm in Grayslake. It is such a pleasure to see all of the horses progressing so well. At the end of the clinic I was treated to an advance performance of their upcoming Elegance on Horseback event. Jill, Georgette, Betheny, and all their students love to ride and perform in costume on their wonderful Lusitanos. If you are in the Chicago area, go check it out! Thank you, Jill and Jeff, and all my friends for another great weekend…..and to Zorro the baby raccoon for all the entertainment…..see you in August!
