Christmas Special and a FREE Month of Journey to Lightness!
Barbier Farm Private Collection of Antique Prints of Classical Masters
Looking for the perfect gift for the equestrian artist in your life?
Barbier Farm is pleased to offer their private collection of antique prints of Classical Masters, just in time for the holidays.
Prints are available to purchase separately, or together for a discounted price. Contact barbierfarm@aol.com to place your order.
PRICE LIST (refer to print images below):
1-4 sold separately for $190 each – DISCOUNT purchased as a set for $25 off of each.
8, 9 sold separately for $190 each – DISCOUNT purchased together for 10% off.
10, 11 sold separately for $190 each – DISCOUNT purchased together for 10% off.
18, 19 sold separately for $190 each – DISCOUNT purchased together for 10% off.
17, 20 sold separately for $190 each – DISCOUNT purchased together for 10% off.
33-36 sold separately for $125 each – DISCOUNT purchased as a set for $420.
12, 13, 16, 27 sold separately only for $190 each.
Symposium XX Postponed Until Further Notice
While we were looking forward to hosting our friends for the XX Classical Series this coming weekend, due to COVID-19 safety concerns we have decided to postpone until further notice. Our thoughts are with each and every one of you, near and far, and we hope that you are safe and healthy in this most unprecedented of times.
However; we are pleased to still offer our full range of books and videos as seen on the website, including reprints of Alchemy of Lightness! Continue your Classical Education from the safety and comfort of your own home, let the Mestre come to you. As a special offering, any purchase over $95 will receive a free Barbier Training Manual, and any purchase over $175 will receive a free Symposium DVD!
Happy Holidays from Barbier Farm!
Reprint of Alchemy of Lightness Available Soon!
Finding the Right Saddle Fit
As horsemen and women a saddle is one of the most important tools we have to work with. A proper fitting saddle is a great asset for both horse and rider, while an improper fit or balance not only inhibits correct riding, it can lead to injury. The saddle industry brings in millions of dollars in saddle fitting and there are now countless options for flocking, panels, and blocks for your knee and thigh. It can feel overwhelming to find the correct fit with so many options. Here we have broken down the DBarbier saddle design to illustrate the real essential criteria when looking for one of your own.
THE LOST ART OF FLOCKING
Dominique fashioned his own saddle design after the original tree used by Mestre Oliveira, a design that is 400 years old. While training mules in the French military (a story for another day), Dominique delivered horses to the Republican Guard in Paris, where he met the man who would one day become the head of Forestier saddlery. With a tree-maker (arconier in French) in the factory itself- the only saddlemaker to design his own tree and not buy mass-produced trees- the Barbier custom-crafted saddle was born.
With a bit of ingenuity and a little help from the modern age, he has been able to update the materials from wool taken from army socks to advanced padding with the same material used to pad satellites (yes, you read that right. We are waiting for our NASA endorsement) that does not shrink with age. That means no “re-flocking necessary.” Today’s saddles feature leather cut by laser for the cleanest lines and computer-designed balance to ensure accuracy for each saddle.
DBarbier Bison Deluxe model – notice where the lowest part of the seat is
WHAT IS PROPER BALANCE IN A SADDLE?
A saddle tree’s purpose is to help a rider find their position. Let us return to Dressage for the New Age for a moment; a rider’s center of gravity is below their navel, while a horse’s center of gravity is between the knees of the rider. Your saddle should, in theory, bring the two centers of gravity as close together as possible. If you cut your saddle into three equal segments, the lowest part of your seat should be in the front third while your leg hangs underneath you, thanks to your stirrup bars sitting underneath your hip.
Most models today place the balance in the second third, further towards the back, while keeping stirrup bars forward to prevent breakage, forcing riders to either sit in a “chair” seat, or to perch on their horse’s backs. With the knee and thigh blocks, riders legs are forced into “correct” position, though they have no knee mobility, which contracts riders’ bodies, and therefore their horses’ bodies on top of it.
Comfort for your horse is also vitally important. They are, after all, carrying us. Aside from being in correct position with our center of gravity as close to their own as possible, we want to think of how the saddle fits the horse. True to form, Dominique kept things very simple in his design, with the “flexible” tree, available in narrow (for the high-withered horses), medium and wide, a wide gullet for the horses’ back comfort, and the same padding used for the rider’s seat for the horse’s back. The lack of metal in the front allows for extra freedom of the shoulder. By using a single-panel design and foregoing knee blocks (removable blocks are available for the new Working Equitation design), he maintained closer contact to the horse. The end result? Unparalleled comfort for horse and rider.
DBarbier Working Equitation Saddle
Each saddle is handcrafted and made to your specifications using highly-durable, beautiful Bison leather, making each one a work of art in of itself. Functional can be fashionable, too! Our newly released Deluxe in chocolate has been a hit with crowds, and the hand-tooled seats of the working equitation model in chocolate and camel are so beautiful you *almost* don’t want to sit on top of them.
When you buy a saddle, you are investing in your horse and in yourself. It is important to make the right choice. Dominique is happy to answer questions personally about his saddles and can be reached by email at barbierfarm@aol.com or by phone, +1707.480.5598.
Upcoming Trip to Brasil – The Dance Partner of Your Dreams Awaits!
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.
Don’t delay, as spots for this trip are in high demand! Click here to make your deposit.
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
Fadista Marylou Lawrence to join us for An Evening in Portugal!
Photo courtesy of Marylou Lawrence
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!
Join us! And claim your seat at the table here.
Brazil trip report
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.
Generation “L” baby!
Caylee and Galan do Nico
The Société pour L’Art Equestre website is up!
The webpage for the foundation is up and the video archive and content is growing each week. Have a look and please share with your friends.
We will keep you updated about our latest projects, all designed to bring honorable, compassionate, sustainable and enlightened training practices to equestrians young and old.
And to further your education, make your plans now to join us for the Thirteenth Classical Series Symposium in October. Invite your friends and join us for a wonderful weekend during the harvest here in Sonoma Valley. There are spaces left for auditors and just a few spots for riders after the Symposium. Contact Debra (harbierfarm @ aol.com) for more information and click on the link for registration. https://blog.dominiquebarbier.com/october2016symposium/
The link for the Société website:
http://www.societeartequestre.com
Debra and I are headed to Brasil in about ten days. (make plans to join us next year…generally the last two weeks of May…) We’ll be visiting the farms, riding Lusitanos, and watching the International Lusitano Expo. We’ll try to post some Facebook updates. And please, click LIKE on our Barbier Farms and Société pour L’Art Equestre pages. It helps us keep you informed!