You are invited to join Debra and Dominique on the trip of a lifetime in Brasil for the Lusitano International Expo, as well as a whirlwind tour of the very best breeding farms, where you will have the chance to see and even sit on high quality horses under the instruction of Debra and Dominique before choosing one of your very own. They have imported approximately 200 Lusitanos to date, and chosen the top farms to visit. The Barbiers’ talent in matching horse and rider is unparalleled and they take full advantage of their close connections with the breeders around the country to find you the best possible fit.
This is our 18th year in the making, and with the current favorable dollar exchange, prices are incredibly low. It is the best time to come and experience the Brasilian culture and hospitality as well as diving head first into the world of the majestic Lusitano.
For committed buyers, we have special pricing – $1500 of your trip fee will be applied to the Barbier Farms commission, which is 15% of the purchase or $5,000 (whichever is higher). All transportation, importing, and vet checks are arranged for you.
Package includes private coach transportation in Brasil, all hotels, breakfast each day, and some meals while visiting farms. It does not include meals during the Expo, nor does it include international airfare. Please contact us for pricing and options at barbierfarm@aol.com.
The Brazil trip is a once in a lifetime opportunity to rapidly expand every aspect of your understanding of horses in a truly unforgettable and mesmerizing place. Perhaps if you are as fortunate as I was you will also experience the sheer beauty of bringing home an equine being that was always meant to be part of you. – Lauren Schultz, Healdsburg, CA
As per tradition, this coming week we will host our Saturday evening Symposium champagne reception, rider exhibition, and dinner in the barn catered by Dancing Horse Events! Saturday, March 23, Marylou Lawrence will join us for a live fado performance.
Marylou was born in Manteca California, the daughter of immigrant parents from Terceira Azores. After seven years of living in the states, her parents started their own dairy farm, keeping their culture alive through Marylou by speaking Portuguese and listening to Portuguese music, as was common among the Luso-American kids of her generation.
While she always had an interest in music, her true love for fado came through records of Amalia Rodrigues and other famous fadistas played by her mother throughout her childhood and she enrolled in choir at the age of 12. As she sang for various city and social events throughout junior high and high school, her passion for singing fado never left her mind.
Her dreams of singing were placed on hold after her marriage at the age of 18 and subsequently raising a family. With encouragement from her husband, Steve Lawrence, she decided to begin singing again at the age of 45 and has since been invited to sing in several fado events among well-known fadistas such as David S. Garcia, Zelia Freitas, Isalino Santos, and most well known Sara Pacheco.
Whether you are a devoted fado fanatic, or have never heard of the genre, we are all in for a treat.
Photo courtesy of David Grulke
Exquisite Lusitanos, fine food and wine, live entertainment, and good company…Needless to say, it is a night to be remembered. Whisk yourself away to the best Portugal has to offer…right in our backyard!
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”
Another generation “I” baby.
Generation “J” baby
Feeding time for all the youngsters, a country life.
We’ve finished our TENTH Symposium, and though I’ve said it before, they just keep getting better! Here is the announcement for the 11th Classical Series Symposium, this September in Healdsburg. Dates are blocked at the Dry Creek Inn for the best possible rates…..Rooms are limited so call soon! All the information is on the Symposium tab above. Debra and I and all the team will be looking forward to welcoming you to Barbier Farm!
The horse in the photo below is Raja (MAC), whom I visited at Torres Vaz Freire, the breeding farm of Mr. Carlos and Mr. Marco Torres in the Alentejo region of Portugal. Raja is a Larapio son and has the most horses in the Lusitano studbook in Portugal with gold medals and scores over 80%. You can see the refinement passed on by Larapio in this beautiful portrait.
We’ll have a full Symposium report up in the coming days. Some other important dates to keep in mind: Brasil trip with Auction, May 21 – 31, and our trip to Golegã, Portugal, November 9 – 19. Click on the tabs above for full information.
