June 13, Private Clinic

June 28, 29, 30, Grayslake, IL, Contact Jill  McCrae, 847-546-5164, JEM60030@aol.com

July 1, 2, 3, & 4, Springfield, IL, contact Sarah Scheerer: annie8405@hotmail.com

July 5, 6, & 7, Barrington Hills, IL, contact Laura Alter: laurazoo@comcast.net (630)651-4334

JULY 12, 13, & 14, SYMPOSIUM at BARBIER FARM!!!  Spaces filling fast! contact us: 707-696-2828 or barbierfarm@aol.com

August 2, 3, & 4, Flemington, New Jersey, contact Gary Maholic: (609) 658-6639, gmaholic@gmail.com

We will be adding more to the clinic schedule tab above in the coming weeks. Check back often and don’t forget to make your plans to join us for the Symposium, here in Healdsburg in the midst of the beautiful Dry Creek Valley. Hotel spaces will go quickly….so sign up soon. Click on the July Symposium tab above for all the details. See you on Bastille Weekend!!!

More information is available on the MAY BRASIL TRIP tab above. Come along and experience all the fun, learning, great food, and culture surrounding the Brasilian Lusitano. All are welcome, buyers and non-buyers, AND non-horsey spouses!

Our lectures this symposium: The Evil of Contact, Riding to Expand Consciousness, Flying Changes, Long-Reining, and the Molecular Exchange of Work-In-Hand and Longeing.  So we had a great mixture of the practical and the philosophical, all steeped in the Classical Tradition.  Click the tab above to sign up for the July event. We were very nearly at capacity this time and we expect the July event to be sold out.  Debra and I are looking forward to welcoming you here, at Barbier Farms.

In addition to the next Symposium, we announced our Annual Auction trip to Brasil. We’ll be going mid-May to attend the International Auction at Coudelaria Ihla Verde, home to our good friend, Victor Oliva. There will be a CDI***, a riding clinic with Debra and Dominique, and the second stage of the Brasilian Working Equitation Championships. Of course, we’ll be visiting the best farms to find exceptional Lusitanos. If you’ve been thinking of traveling to Brasil with Dominique and Debra, contact us soon! We’ll have all the details on our dedicated page within the week. Click the tab: May 2013 Brasil.

We also introduced the DVD that has finally arrived! The January 2012 Symposium was the backdrop for Jolanda Ellenberger’s beautiful film.  Click on the link (here) to order your copy now. We also, thankfully, had just received our embroidered stadium blankets. They were a big hit during the cold mornings this past weekend….order yours now! (click here)

Stay warm, ride well, come see us here in Healdsburg or during on of our clinics around the world.  We’ll begin posting clinic dates in the coming weeks.  Contact Debra if you are interested in hosting your own! 707-696-2828

Amities~DDBarbier

Here’s a great gallery of images by Keron….enjoy!

We spent an entire day in Avignon, much of it spent with Chef Francois Secretin and his able assistant, Severin, at La Mirande. We began the day by visiting the market to find fresh delicacies to create a feast for lunch. Calamari, duck, fall vegetables for a ratatouille and figs with cream and cinnamon and other secret ingredients all combined to make a spectacularly delicious lunch.  Half the group was busy with prep in the kitchen while the other half went with the Sommelier to taste the wines we chose for lunch and learn more about the wines in this famed region. (Chateau Neuf de Pape, etc!). Then the group switched and the prep for the duck was completed, along with the figs for dessert. Then we all sat back and watched the Chef create his magic.

After a lunch like this there are two options: move or sleep. As we could not sleep, we all went with a great guide to visit the Cathedral and Pope’s Palace. The history of Avignon is many centuries in the making and full of intrigue, murder, the plague, and medieval politics. Avignon was the seat of 7 Popes during the 14th century. This is the only time that the Popes have left the Vatican. During this time, and for several centuries, Avignon was its own state…therefore not French. The city returned to France, and to French rule, during the French Revolution in 1791.

Our base for exploration was the incomparable Chateau Roussan, a 16th Century ‘home’ built by Bertrand de Nostradamus, brother to the famed, mysterious, Nostradamus. It is a lovely, atmospheric place to stay in the countryside just south of Saint Remy de Provence.

In the next post: Frederic Pignon and Magali Delgado (I promise!!!)…and the Four Schools Exhibition in Paris!

There are special rates available now at the Dry Creek Inn, Healdsburg…but make your reservations right away! The rates go back to normal after January 3. Click on the link above for the Symposium to reserve your spot here at Barbier Farm, and call the number at the Hotel, mentioning Barbier Farm Group Rate, for your lodging.  Looking forward to seeing you!

Amities ~ DBarbier

We began our trip in Marseilles with a fabulous seafood dinner featuring…BOUILLABAISSE! This is, after all, a BARBIER trip, so food will feature nearly as prominently as the horses.

The next day we trekked into the Camargue, the region that is the delta of the River Rhone where it empties into the Mediterranean. It is known for its abundance of natural beauty, including pink flamingos, the famed black bulls, and of course, the white Camargue horses. But this marshy river delta is an agricultural basket with a huge production of rice and salt and is home to more than 400 species of birds, and numerous fish species, both salt and freshwater. But aside from the Camargue horses and the bulls, the thing that you won’t find anywhere else on the planet is the culture of the Camargue people. Centuries of cultural influence from the Roma people, along with French and to a smaller degree, Spanish influence, has created a distinct lifestyle centered around the horses and bulls.

We had a wonderful time riding across the beaches and through the marshes. Going by horseback through this wild area gave us the opportunity to feel the rhythm of the tides, the flocks of birds, and see net-fishing by hand. We saw dwellings with the traditional thatched roof, all pointed in the direction of the famed MISTRAL winds. And we learned a great deal about the culture and natural environment from our guides.

Our base for a few nights was the stunning Mas de la Fouque hotel and spa. We’re posting the pictures so you can have a sense of the special nature of this land and its inhabitants. Even at the very southern edge of the country, practically ON the Mediterranean, our lodgings were trés chic and deliciously comfortable. We’ll be looking forward to a return!

Before we headed north, we spent a day at Manade Saint Antoine, complete with riding into the marshes to round up bulls. We separated a few bulls from the herd to have an exhibition of the Camargue style of bullfighting (More like bull-tagging…..not much like fighting…but very daring and dangerous!). Later, we all enjoyed a traditional lunch of bull stew at the Manade. Thank you, Alexandre and team for a spectacular day!

Coming next: a report from St. Remy de Provence and Avignon! Food is the small headline, Frederic Pignon and Magali Delgado are the big headline!

We had the great pleasure and honor to spend a day with Frederic Pignon and Magali Delgado, along with Magali’s parents and sister Estelle, and of course, Noah, their son! Frederic and Magali were the original performers and choreographers of Cavalia. It was a delight from start to finish. None of us wanted to leave the farm when the time came. We began the day in Tarrascon to have a visit to the school and foundation that Frederic and Magali have begun to educate young riders. Their goal is to create riders that can ride, train, and perform with horses in Equestrian Theatre or Spectacle. They ride and work each day in a complex that is over 200 years old. At one point it held more than 1,000 horses being trained for Napoleon!

Then we moved on to Frederic and Magali’s house and training base. We were thrilled to watch an impromptu exhibition with many of Frederic and Magali’s star performers! After a lunch together we all visited the breeding farm. We met Magali’s parents and sister Estelle and all the horses at the farm, including the new stars of the show that Frederic and Magali are now staging. The first performances were at the Salon du Cheval in Paris earlier this month. The day ended with a walk in the fields among the young horses and mares and babies. We were surprised with a champagne and cookies treat while with the horses. This, like the rest of the day, was offered with grace and smiles and generosity. Thank you, Frederic, Magali, and to all your family. It was a wonderful day for all of us.

Zipping to Paris the next day on the TGV had us there in plenty of time for an afternoon of shopping. Later that evening we gathered to go to Bercy to see the Four Schools Exhibition. We were in France in 2007 for the first ever performance of the Four Schools together. This evening had all the majesty of the first performances, with maybe a little more relaxation.

Visits to Chantilly, Versailles, and Haras du Pin in Normandy finished out the rest of our trip, and YES we were all exhausted….but happy to have experienced so much Equestrian Culture. This heritage is appropriately treasured in France. We hope you enjoy the photos, as always, lovingly created by Keron Psillas. And we hope you will join us on trip sometime soon! Next up will most likely be Brasil in May for the Auction at Couldelaria Ihla Verde and the ABPSL Expo. Stay tuned to the blog for details!

In the meantime, don’t miss the upcoming Symposium in January. Click on the tab above to register for one day or for the whole weekend! We’re looking forward to seeing you!

Amities ~ DDBarbier

Amities~DDBarbier

It’s been too long between blog posts, so this is going to be a long one! We are just back from Brasil, again, and of course it was a wonderful time. But let’s start with the May Expo trip….

We visited our favorite farms and spent many hours looking at beautiful Lusitanos. We spend a lot of time each year checking on the progress of the young horses. Debra keeps all her notes from trip to trip and year to year…so we know exactly which horse to recommend to our clients and we plan our visits accordingly.

After the farm visits we had a great three-day clinic at Manege Sant Adelaide with Davi Carrano, our guests, and clients from Brasil. Riding beautifully trained horses helps students to replicate the feel and movement when they go back home to their equine partners.

Then, it was on to the Expo. The big event moved this year from downtown Sao Paulo to the Helvetia Riding Center in Indaiatuba, just south of Campinas. The facility was beautiful, and much nicer for the participants, equine and human. It was great to see the Lusitanos of all ages, and watch our friends celebrate victories! Congratulations to all the exhibitors….looking forward to next year. Abraços e beijos. 

Late June found us back in Brasil for a couple of reasons. We had a wonderful group from BUSHTRACKS Expeditions that were interested in seeing the culture of the Lusitano in Brasil. We visited our a few of our favorite farms and enjoyed carriage rides, working equitation, riding gorgeous Lusitanos….and of course, legendary Brasilian hospitality!  Another of the highlights was filming an episode for the Masters Series with Tribuna Lusitana. I’ll post details and airing time on the blog soon!  Thank you to Andrea and Jose and all the Tribuna Lusitana Team.  It was a great pleasure.

And the best part (for DEBRA)….we visited her babies on several different days!  We have wonderful babies and young horses (1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 year old Lusitanos) from the legendary Do Top bloodlines! We’ll be adding more images and video to the Horses For Sale page, but I’ve included a few shots in the gallery below. Enjoy!

Now….time for the July Symposium.  It’s not too late to sign up….there are spaces available! Click on the Symposium link above and join us for all the learning, fun, and great food….and Vive La France!  (We’ll celebrate Bastille Day on Saturday!) And speaking of FRANCE….sign up NOW for the trip to see the Four Classical Schools in Paris…..late September, early October.  The link is above.  Registration must close soon!

Thank you to Keron Psillas for the wonderful photographs. 

We had a very special visitor with us this time: Jolanda Ellenberger, award-winning writer and director of short films was here with her crew to film for several days. Debra and I met Jolanda in Switzerland last year at my clinic sponsored by Sandro Huerzeler near Bern. The quality of her work is wonderful, and the compassion for the horse is immediately felt. She hopes to debut the current film in Monaco next year. We’ll all be anxious to see the end product so stay tuned for details and announcements here! Here’s a small gallery of images from the Symposium. Enjoy!

Debra and I are very happy to announce that in addition to our Annual Expo trip to Brasil in May (see all the details on the tab above!), we are going to PARIS for the Exposition of the Four Classical Riding Schools at Bercy! We’ll be announcing the exact dates, but plan on ten days beginning October 1. Our trip to see the first ever performance of the Four Schools together in 2007 was a tremendous success.  We’ll return to a few of the places we visited, including Chantilly and several of the Equestrian theater productions….but we’ll have a few surprises too, including a trip to the Camargue in the South of France! We’ll be posting all the details very soon…..so keep an eye on the blog and in your email for the full itinerary.

And finally….but perhaps most important….the next symposium will be July 13, 14, & 15. As the event will be held over the Bastille Day weekend, we’ll have a decidedly French flair in everything we do! Join us for the three days of learning, fun, and fabulous food. We’ll be in the barn on Saturday night for an Equestrian Spectacle and French cuisine!  Mark your calendar and click on the tab above to reserve your spot! Bring some guests for Saturday night….and sign up early! It’s going to be a magical evening.

Amities, Dominique

Filed under: classical dressage, Tips, Well-being of the Horse Tagged: Barbier Farms, classical dressage, Dominique Barbier, horses, Lusitano for Sale ]]> http://blog.dominiquebarbier.com/2012/02/20/january-symposium-report-other-announcements/feed/ 2 keronpsillas t1z0373 t1z0473 t1z0050-1 Keron-Psillas_Barbier-7570 Keron-Psillas_Barbier-7578 Keron-Psillas_Barbier-7611 Keron-Psillas_Barbier-7731 Keron-Psillas_Barbier-7769 Keron-Psillas_Barbier-7975 Keron-Psillas_Barbier-8015 Keron-Psillas_Barbier-8017 Keron-Psillas_Barbier-8049 Keron-Psillas_Barbier-8093 Keron-Psillas_Barbier-8205 affec2-17opt EGHZD00Z http://blog.dominiquebarbier.com/2011/12/29/happy-new-year-were-celebrating-with-new-babies/ http://blog.dominiquebarbier.com/2011/12/29/happy-new-year-were-celebrating-with-new-babies/#comments Fri, 30 Dec 2011 02:36:14 +0000 Keron Psillas http://blog.dominiquebarbier.com/?p=1277 ]]> Here are some pictures of our latest family additions. Debra and I are delighted with these gorgeous fellows.  They are wonderful examples of careful breeding from great bloodlines (and they are awfully cute too).

They are out of Debra’s exceptional mares (as all her wonderful babies have been) and represent the best of the Portuguese and Brasilian bloodlines. Contact her about the older fillies and colts that are available now.  Several of the babies are here in the US now, working happily as three and four year olds. Domina was featured earlier on this blog so scroll down for pictures of her!

First up:
Herodes DB by Bailado do Top out of Somatoria do Top. Bailado is an amazing young stallion with a great work ethic, huge movement, and BIG, but he retains all the finest qualities of the Lusitano of character, expression and gentle temperament. Bailado do Top is by Quadro out of Nubia. Somatoria do Top is the sister (by mother…Largaticha) of some of the most important Lusitanos in Brasil: Nicotina, Orador, and Oceano do Top. Clearly, a very finely bred baby.

Second baby:
Hermes DB by Bailado do Top out of Successão do Top.  Successão do Top is the top awarded mare of her year, champion and vice champion ahead of stallions at the International Lusitano Expo. She is by Quadro do Top out of Herancia.

Come with us to Brasil in May (check the tab above for the Brasil 2012 trips!) and you can see them both, along with the other babies in the herd.  It’s a highlight of our trip each time we go and is THE highlight for proud Mom Debra.

Thank you to Davi Carrano for the beautiful photographs.  Hermes was less than 10 hours old when the photos were taken!

The review:
By Mary Daniels for the February Issue of Dressage Today (available January 1) www.dressagetoday.com

As the title might offer a clue, this is not a how-to book about how to train horses, but one about a very personal and unique philosophy—“Because the nature of the horse demands it, this is a mystical, metaphysical book,” says Barbier. He writes about “allowing our thoughts to be happy ones, finding our smile and learning to use it through discipline, meditation, visualization and love.

“This book is a reflection about the love of horses and how much they care and want us to be better. It is my belief that were we to allow ourselves to listen, were we to allow them to speak, they would surely have offered such a book to us.”

I agree with what Psillas says in her introduction to this book. That “we ride as we are,” which is true, and “what better purpose for a life than to hold the space for beauty.” To me, horses are a thing of beauty. A joy forever as a great poet once said, and beauty is medicine.

Perhaps I am not mystically inclined enough to understand all of the text, such as the preceding idea that were they allowed to speak horses would offer such a book to us. The ones I know might just ask for a charge card to the nearest greengrocer, or a romp in the hayfield. It may be one must belong to the Inner Circle of this following to be able to absorb the more esoteric aspects of this philosophy.

But there were parts I liked very much and here are a few from Barbier: “Horses and humans: the idea of separation first and then a coming together when mutual respect and understanding are attained is too simplistic, though not to be ignored. Rather, if I can say, it is the sense of oneness first, and then how to remain in that oneness that I believe is the essence of successful and symbiotic interaction between human and horse.

“The horse must trust the student. He must accept and enjoy a comfortable position, something that does not always come naturally. In turn, the student must trust the horse, both physically and mentally. If your riding mentality is based in fear, the horse cannot believe, understand or feel comfortable with you. Panic and evasions follow. A void in the student creates a void in the horse. Horses are the mirror of your soul.”

“The attitude that we are the only or best conduit of energy is a limiting one. The horse is already here.  We must learn to be here. Our undisciplined minds and our egos cause us to live in the past or in the future and we must remind ourselves constantly of the goal of self-realization. Unlike the horse, we are so busy doing, we forget simply to be, we are so busy working, we forget to enjoy. Horses demand our presence, and this mental discipline in turn allows communication and oneness to happen. They teach us to be in and stay in the present, to share the same vibrations, the same space, the same energy. They teach us to replace organized unhappiness, unfulfilled dreams and expectation with the attachment and appreciation of the very moment. When acceptance and grace flow between horse and rider, the centaur can exist.

“An undisciplined mind is like a young green horse—full of life, scattered and uncensored. All manner of achievement is possible when the horse, like your mind, comes to the calm knowledge of self and respect of others. Together these notions bring harmony and joy. Gratitude and reverence allow us to be and feel that there is nothing we cannot do. Remember then, to say thank you. The open mind and the readiness for the path to further enlightenment will create real-life miracles.”

And my favorite: “I consider the shoulder-in the miracle movement. But I prefer to call it shoulders-in. The outside shoulder must be included in the movement, in our feeling of the movement. From the daily work for the original work-in-hand around one pillar, a technique centuries old, we need to understand why this is such a revealing movement, why it is such a powerful tool. The simplest answer is that it gives the horse a feeling of togetherness, then of independence. He learns where his legs and his body are in relation to himself and to the rider. This knowledge offers security to him and in turn, imparts an additional, undeniable mental strength, as any successful human athlete can attest,” he writes.

That said about the text, one must remark that the accompanying photos are lovely. Many of the subjects are of the Portuguese Lusitano breed, one of the world’s most striking and handsome. But there are also photographs of natural and man-made wonders, from the floral to the architectural, which make you pause and reflect.

The design of the book, by Psillas, is elegant and pleasing to the eye. “The display type of this edition of Meditation for Two is Cezanne with a nod to Dominique’s French heritage and to link and respect the arts of handwriting, photography and bookmaking, as well as the influence of the painting Masters on the history of photography,” she writes. The Old World sensibility in its creation makes this book a keepsake, a gift book bound to be appreciated by the receiver.

The Holiday Season is filled with so many reminders of the blessings of the life we share with our family, friends, and animal companions. Our dear friend Melinda, from Paz Apparel, has inspired us through the years with her unwavering commitment to a cruelty-free life. Hop over to her website (LINK HERE) to see a few of the items she has created over the years that mirror her commitment to compassion in all areas of life. The story of PAZ is a great one….and a great model for all of us to emulate.

A last thought for the year….click on the Symposium Tab at the top of the page to sign up and JOIN US for the January 2012 event. You can get a great rate at the Dry Creek Inn until December 31st so don’t delay!  All the details are available on the Symposium Page. Come and be surrounded by friends, engaged in learning and expanding your awareness with the horses. It’s a wonderful way to begin the New Year!  We’re going to have guests from New Zealand, Switzerland, England, and all over the US. And our incredible catered dinner on Saturday night has become a fabulous tradition…..full of fun, laughter, cementing old and making new friendships.

We are happy to let our readers know that we have received a glowing review for Meditation for Two. Cindy Foley is the Editor-in-Chief of Horse Journal, a widely read online magazine and blog for all things equestrian.  Here is just one of the wonderful things she has to say about Meditation For Two:  I finished with a renewed sense of partnership with my horse. I learned that Sally and I are exactly the same! I felt a deeper understanding into what it must be like from her perspective, and I felt a stronger connection—one that I was able to take into the saddle the very next day.  

Cindy continues: It’s philosophy; it’s a look at your inner self; it’s an understanding of the horse’s inner being. If you’re searching for answers and can’t get them from the equitation and training lessons we’ve all had drilled into us, or if you have a particularly challenging horse and are open to new approaches, you might find an answer in this book.

To see the entire review, click HERE.  Keron and I are grateful for the review, of course….but what is so important is that people really do ‘get’ what we are trying to say in the book. It’s gratifying and important to the work we are doing for the horses.

Amities,

DDBarbier

To order MEDITATION FOR TWO, click on this LINK.

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

Some other items of interest:

We have secured a reduced rate at the Dry Creek Inn (click the link for their site) for all the January Symposium attendees needing lodging. It’s a very nice place…just give them a call and tell them that you are attending the Barbier Farms event.

There is a new trip on the blog. Click the page above (BRASIL for Carnival) for an outline of the trip. Please contact Debra for further details. Follow the links to see some of the places we’ll be staying.  I am so happy to be going back to Trancoso and Toca do Marlin in Bahia.

For all those interested in hosting clinics in 2012, contact me ASAP. Dates are nearly filled for the year already! I’m excited to be going to South Africa, Switzerland, England, and Brasil, in addition to many clinics here in the US and Canada.  With our trips scheduled in February and May to Brasil, and and others to be announced, it is going to be a very busy year, but one filled with the culture and passion of the Lusitano and classical dressage. We hope to share part of it with you.

Amities~

DDBarbier

Amities,  ~DDBarbier

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

We have some exciting news to share: A Larapio son (our breeding stallion) is headed to the World Championships for Working Equitation in Lyon, France! Unico HS, owned by Hilda Toledo Piza, will join the best horses in the world and showcase the versatility and spectacular temperament that make the Lusitano such a joy. Congratulations to Hilda, Mariana, and Fabio.  Boa sortie!

Congratulations are in order too for the team behind Xama Do Top.  Xama (sire of Debra’s gorgeous filly Graphica) was Champion of Champions at the Lusitano Festival in Lindoia.  Xama Do Top was bred by Tonico Pereira and is owned by Victor Oliva of Coudelaria Ihla Verde. Victor’s son João Victor rode Xama for the championship and was named Champion Rider of the festival. What an outstanding achievement for this young man! Congratulations to Tonico, Victor, João, and all the team behind this marvelous horse.

We’ve been in Brasil several times this summer and our visits are not complete without seeing Debra’s herd of babies.  Yes, I said HERD.  Graphica, her filly by Xama Do Top, is turning into a spectacular horse. Her movement is beyond stunning and she is very lovable and easily handled. This is easy to understand given her exceptional breeding. But all the babies (and now young horses) are bred exceptionally well. Here’s a gallery of images from “the herd” including pix of Graphica, Dynastia, Fado, Fadista, Escritoria and Esperanza.

Equestrian Brasil is a-buzz with the anticipation and excitement of preparing for the Pan Am Games.  It was a long and arduous selection process with outstanding teams competing for  just a few slots. Rocas do Vouga will be sending Olympic Veteran Luiza Almeida with her mount Samba and rising young star Manuel Almeida with Viheste; Coudelaria Ihla Verde will send Olympic Veteran Rogerio Clementino on Sargento Do Top; Haras Juliana sends Mauro Pereira Junior to compete with Tulum Commando SN; and Fazenda Santa Izabel returns Olympic Veteran Leandro Silva with new mount L’Acteur VDL. Boa sortie and boa viagem to all the teams headed to the Pan Am Games!

After all the fun and learning in the Symposium is over we will be back to teaching in the US and our first clinic in South Africa! Click on the Clinic Schedule tab to stay updated….and contact us if you are interested in a clinic for 2012.  Dates are filling very very fast.

Amities~

DDBarbier