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