by Keron Psillas | Dec 7, 2011 | Uncategorized |
Debra and I spend so much time searching for the right horse to match with a new owner. Our philosophy has always been that the needs and abilities of a prospective owner are the most important criteria for creating the perfect match. After that, there must exist an emotional bond. This is the magical part and one that is a little more challenging to create, but it happens and it is always glorious! Here’s a note we just received from a happy owner and new friend, Trish Greenberg.
I don’t know if there are words good enough to express my feelings on finding the “perfect” horse from Debra and Dominique Barbier. I had been searching and looking at horses for quite some time trying to find that certain individual. After traveling to Portugal and purchasing a horse while there, I felt as though something was still missing. From years of experience, I know that it is a very rare thing to find one that grabs your soul and makes you know that this is the “one” with no shadow of a doubt. That is exactly what happened to me while attending my first Barbier Symposium. While presenting some horses one evening, in walked this little gray stallion that made my heart stop. Everything about him was exactly what I had been looking for! He showed such beautiful movement, sensitivity and noble presence about him that I was totally swept away. When I touched and then rode him, I knew there was a connection that was totally unexplainable. This horse grabbed my soul and I could not go away without him. I had found the horse that I did not think was possible to find.
Thank you Debra, for being so kind and helping make this happen for me. You went out of your way to work details out so that this was possible. I am so grateful to have Capaz Do Mito. I look forward to training and having many wonderful years together with this special little horse. He is wonderful!!!!!!!!
Thank you also to Dominique, Keron, wonderful staff and friends at the symposium who were so excited and encouraging during my visit. Everyone made this truly a wonderful and special occasion.
Fondly,
Trish Greenberg
by Keron Psillas | Dec 7, 2011 | Uncategorized |
We have arranged for really great room rates at the Dry Creek Inn in Healdsburg (from $75 weekdays and $106 weekends)…..so get on the phone and make your reservation so you can experience all the fun, learning, and great food! There is so much to do in the Wine Country for non-horsey spouses. Wine-tasting of course, but there are spectacular golf courses, great bookstores, incredible restaurants, and heavenly spas. Talk to us to get all the insider scoop on what to do and where to go! Click on the January 2012 Symposium page above for all the information and to sign up for the weekend. It’s going to be a great three days as we continue to build on the success of our previous events. See you soon! DD Barbier
by Keron Psillas | Oct 15, 2011 | horses for sale, Uncategorized |
Since we mentioned Debra’s HERD of babies a couple of posts ago, we thought we should put up an image of one of her favorites: Domina DB. She is by Sol VO out of one of Debra’s mares, Successao Do Top. This little girl is only 3 coming 4 years old! The scope, the elasticity, and the presence are all a result of her exceptional breeding. She is beginning her training and doing very well. Maybe we’ll even see her during the next Symposium (with a focus on training the young horse- click the Symposium tab above for all the details). There are more babies like this ~ just call Debra and she’ll talk to you for hours about them. But seriously, Domina DB is just one example of our commitment to excellence in breeding and in finding the best possible horses for our clients. Enjoy the photos.
Amities, ~DDBarbier
by Keron Psillas | Oct 6, 2011 | Uncategorized |
Well it’s been a very busy time here at Barbier Farms. The Symposium had a great turn-out with attendees from California, Virginia, Florida, New Mexico, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Arizona, Alaska, Canada, Spain and Switzerland! Three days of in-depth multi-media lectures, lots of riding, and a Brasilian-themed reception and dinner had smiles on everyone’s faces! Beautiful horses and great food with good company in the stable….combined with Capoeira dancers!!!….made a truly a memorable night.
I’m going to take a moment and thank all the people that make these Symposiums such a success. First and foremost, as always, Debra does a wonderful job to bring all the team together and have the barn and horses looking magnificent. Domina keeps us fed and on schedule. Lisa, with her team of Sarah, Chaya, and Alea, had the horses gleaming and on time! Liz and Shanna, our dear friends from Idaho and Virginia kept all the mechanics purring along…and we had help from new friends, Riley and Karen Caton, for all sorts of tasks! A big thank you to all!
Thank you to Keron and to Riley Caton of Catonphoto.com for the gallery below. There are great moments with many of the participants. I hope you will join us next time for the learning and for the fun! Our next Symposium will take place here at Barbier Farms in Healdsburg, CA, on January 27, 28, and 29. Make plans now to join us.
As the holidays are fast approaching, we included some images from our dear friend Melinda D’Amico’s company: PAZ APPAREL. Click on the link and go see all the very cool stuff….all made from recycled canvas and vegan leather. FASHION PEACE!
We’ll be posting a number of updates in the coming week….check back with the blog often and tell your friends. We’ll be announcing the Equestrian Trips for 2012 (beginning with Carnivale in Rio in mid-February)!
Amities,
DDBarbier
by Keron Psillas | Feb 11, 2011 | Uncategorized |
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.
