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Portugal and Spain trip report

Posted in classical dressage, Equestrian Tourism in Portugal and Spain, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on 06/25/2011 | 5 Comments »

We’ve had a marvelous time in Spain, Portugal, and Bordeaux….so we wanted to share some images and a few of the highlights of the trip with you.  Returning to familiar haunts in Portugal was an emotional experience for Debra and I.  But taking good friends, old and new, along for the journey made it very special for us. Of course the horses are always at the top of the list of things to see. We visited the Portuguese School for Equestrian Art, right across from our Pousada (Dona Maria I) at the National Palace in Queluz.  This was our first activity of the trip and it did not disappoint. Walking through the Palace Gardens to find the old riding ring was delightful….and the horses were gorgeous, putting on a lovely performance in the Portuguese tradition.

After a delicious lunch on the beach at Quincho, we journeyed to the top of the mountain above Sintra to visit the Convento dos Capuchos.  It’s a mysterious place with all the cells built into the rocks of the mountain…..all cork-lined (to prevent some of the cold and moisture from seeping through), totally secluded and wonderfully peaceful. From there we made our own pilgrimage to the Manege of my Mestre, Nuno Oliveira. Over 25 years have passed since Debra and I had been there. While much has changed with a succession of owners, the heart of the place remains.  I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to return.

We finished our first day by going into the Alfama district of Lisbon to hear some Fado.  It was a perfect ending to a day filled with beauty, poetry, mystery, and emotion. Fado is all those things and more.  So this was only our first day and as you can tell it was filled to overflowing with sights, sounds, smells, tastes…..a feast in every way.

We traveled to Santarem for a Portuguese bullfighting exhibition, we visited my friend Luis Valença’s home to watch his students and performers in his renowned Appassionata equestrian spectacle, we traveled to Golega to meet the esteemed breeder of some of the finest Lusitanos in the world, Mr. Manuel Coimbra. We slept in a castle at Pousada de Palmela, played on a beautiful beach in the Algarve region on our way to Jerez, watched gorgeous handmade tiles (azulejos) being created by amazing artisans in the same way that they have been produced for over 500 years.

And thanks to our amazing driver and guide, Marco Sousa, we learned much of the history of Portugal and Spain as we made our way from one stop to the next.  Did you know that Lisbon experienced a terrible earthquake and subsequent Tsunami?  It happened on November 1, 1755 (All Saints Day) and caused such widespread devastation and loss of life that the philosophies of leading scholars were completely altered … religious thought was forever changed. The naive belief of God as a benevolent power was irreparably changed.

In Spain we were treated to spectacular Flamenco performances on three different nights in three distinct styles, we visited the Terry and Domecq Bodegas to see how fine Sherry has been produced for several hundred years (in the very same barrels and using the very same methods).  We enjoyed a performance at the Royal Andalusian School of  Equestrian Art and a behind the scenes look at the training and structure of the school. We went to A Campo Abierto (The Open Fields) to watch a beautiful show illustrating the history and culture that exists around the horses and the bulls, and then went to Yeguada de Cartuja to watch a different exhibition that told the story of the Andalusian horses that were saved by the monks of Cartuja. Before that we had the opportunity to briefly visit the monastery that housed the Order.

All these activities (and many that are not listed) were knit together by fellowship and amazing meals. The quality of the food, almost always the freshest bounty of the sea, was spectacular. I think all our guests would agree that this was a once-in-a-lifetime trip. The opportunity to experience a new culture as an extended family member is the best way to travel.  Come with us next time and you’ll enjoy the same rich experiences.

We’re grateful that our entire trip was documented by Keron Psillas, our friend and photographer.  We hope you enjoy the extensive gallery.

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Summer round-up and some BIG NEWS!

Posted in Brazil equestrian trips, classical dressage, Tips, Well-being of the Horse, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on 08/25/2010 | Leave a Comment »

It’s been a very busy summer for Debra and I.  This post is a sort of round-up of all the activities and a look ahead for the fall and winter.

I’m very happy to announce that Meditation for Two, my book with Keron Psillas, will be published in Switzerland and Germany, and then in Brazil!  I’ll post the information on this blog when the German and Portuguese language copies are available.

This past weekend we hosted a clinic at our home in Healdsburg.  It was a resounding success.  We had 30+ participants (riders and auditors) and three days of lessons, lectures, and great food. There were 35 for dinner on Saturday night and a great time was had by all!  What made the clinic such a success was this: all the participants were open and engaged.  What I mean is that we were able to discuss the deepest meaning of riding and how it impacts our lives and our horse’s lives along with all the steps, how-to’s, and discussion of technique.  We had participants aged 10 to 85 and in many ways, the youngest and the eldest were the most receptive.  It was a magical time.  I hope you’ll make plans now to join us in January (the 14th thru the 16th) for the next clinic here at home.  There are limited spaces so sign up early by sending an email to Debra to reserve your spot. (Barbierfarm at aol.com)

Prior to the clinic at home I made a tour of the US with stops in Virginia, Florida, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Illinois. Ridiculously hot weather was the common denominator, but happy horses and riders was a close second.  It was great to be back in Virginia at Classicus after  a long hiatus, and it was good to see regular students progressing at all the other stops.  Keep up the good work! Congratulations are in order for the group at Jill McCrae’s farm in Grayslake, Illinois.  They performed a great show in late July. It had to have been pretty spectacular to see all the Lusitanos with their riders in costume.   We had a visit at Jill’s from Nancy at The Royal Lusitano with news of Larapio’s babies growing up and into their personalities! Best of luck to all the group for the World Equestrian Games appearances.

In early September I’ll be traveling to New Mexico for TWO clinics around Santa Fe with Ginger Gaffney and Lynn Clifford.  You can see all the contact info on the clinics page.  There are a very few spots left, but plenty of room for auditors. I hope you’ll join us if you are in the area….and tell your friends, too.  Then I’m off to New Jersey to Castlegate Farm.  Nancy Clark tells me that her new horse, Ataualpa has adjusted nicely to life in New Jersey (he hasn’t seen snow yet….).  And then after that, I am in Germany, Switzerland and Greece for a series of clinics.  This past July, we had a great clinic near Munich that was hosted by my German editor and publisher, Isabella Sonntag, and I am looking forward to returning to see those students and some new ones!  Then I travel north of Kiel (in the heart of Schleswig-Holstein)  to conduct a clinic for Caroline Hatlapa at the Herrenhaus Borghorst.  Caroline was my hostess in June when I delivered the Meditation For Two lecture to a very lively audience.  I’m happy to be headed back there to teach and to see many of the people I met in June.  I’m working on a few other clinics for October in Germany and Switzerland and will post the details here as soon as they are available.  Then I’m off to Greece!  This will be my first visit to the land of Xenophon and I am really excited.

I realize this post is rather long….but there is MORE BIG NEWS!!!  Debra and I will be leading a trip to Brazil in late November.  Reserve your spot now as we are bound to fill up very very quickly. Brazilian hospitality, delicious food, and of course, spectacular Lusitanos will create a once in a lifetime experience.  We’ve been doing this for many years now and because we have longstanding relationships with the finest breeders we can show you the best horses to suit your needs.  Debra and I will be your guides, whether you are looking for your perfect equestrian partner or the perfect equestrian vacation.  All the details will be available this weekend on the blog.

Here’s a gallery of images (courtesy of Keron) from a number of the clinics this summer and the clinic here at home this past weekend.  Enjoy! And check out Keron’s article in Doma Clasica (a Spanish magazine dedicated to the Equestrian Art).

Let us hear from you, and please, share the blog with friends.  We are gearing up for a tremendous announcement and we want as many dedicated equestrians involved as possible!

Amities~

Dominique and Debra

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A trip report from Germany and some news from home

Posted in blog information, classical dressage, Well-being of the Horse, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on 07/16/2010 | Leave a Comment »

I’ve just returned from a trip to Europe to teach and to lecture.  I was invited to give a lecture at the Herrenhaus Borghorst by the kind invitation of Caroline Hatlapa. The hospitality was tremendous, the setting magical, and the guests intensely interested in riding in lightness.  I presented a lecture with a multi-media component and lots of question and answer time.  We had great discussions, open and direct, about true classical equitation, systematic training, and the need to ride with more compassion and care for the horses…..especially in a competition setting.

It was my pleasure to observe many fine riders and horses during the two day clinic that my friend Gerd offered at Borghorst.  As we were in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, there were marvelous warmbloods, BIG HORSES, in the clinic. Thank you, to Caroline and Helena Hatlapa, Maike Theiler and Dr. Gerd and Johanna Heuschmann for such a memorable visit to the north of Germany.  I am delighted to tell you that I’ll be offering a clinic at  the Borghorst later in the year, with full details soon on this blog and on the website and facebook clinic schedules.

Following my visit with Caroline and her daughter Helena, I went to Munich to give a clinic to a great group of riders assembled by my friend Isabella Sonntag. Isabella is the founder of Wu Wei Verlag and publisher of my latest book in German, Wege zur Leichtigkeit in der Klassischen Dressur.  Everywhere I go in Germany I am greeted by students that are absolutely hungry for a new way of riding and communicating with their horses.  I am deeply encouraged by this and hope to see this desire flooding into the competition world.  It gives me hope that we will all develop deeper compassion for our horses, our partners.  I’ll be back in Munich teaching in late September (around the 24th) and will post more info next week.  Thank you, to Isabella and Christina, and to all your team for a great clinic.

Immediately prior to my trip to Germany, I was with all my Chicago friends at Jill McCrae’s farm in Grayslake. It is such a pleasure to see all of the horses progressing so well.  At the end of the clinic I was treated to an advance performance of their upcoming Elegance on Horseback event.  Jill, Georgette, Betheny, and all their students love to ride and perform in costume on their wonderful Lusitanos.  If you are in the Chicago area, go check it out!  Thank you, Jill and Jeff, and all my friends for another great weekend…..and to Zorro the baby raccoon for all the entertainment…..see you in August!


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Brazil Trip Report 3, May 2010

Posted in Brazil equestrian trips, classical dressage, horses for sale, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on 06/08/2010 | Leave a Comment »

I’m back with another trip report. As you can tell it was a very busy time.

While giving a clinic at Manege Sant’Adelaide Debra and I had the pleasure to meet Dr. Solange Mikail. Solange is a veterinarian practicing in Sao Paolo and  a breeder of exotic cats (www.kashmircats.com). One facet of her practice involves using thermo imagery to assist in diagnosis of problem areas. Solange had the brilliant idea one day, prior to our arrival, to photograph (via thermal imaging) and compare saddles. She couldn’t wait to tell us about the results she found comparing my saddle to others she had seen.  Of course we wanted to see the images for ourselves so Solange returned to the clinic with the camera and made the images you see below.  I’ve included her remarks as well.

Saddle Fitting by thermography

Solange Mikail, DVM, MS – Brazil

The thermal image of the saddle can provide valuable information about the pressure distribution. If a saddle has a spot of pressure or the pressure is concentrated on the front part, back, or even in only one side of the saddle you will see uneven distribution of heat in the imagery.

The back of the horse and the saddle pad are also evaluated. On the horses back evaluation hot spots near the shoulders can indicate that the saddle is giving too much pressure at that area or if the saddle is too long hot spots can be found usually on lumbar region.

Barbier Saddles were evaluated at the clinic in Brazil and showed uniform pressure distribution all over the panels as well as in the horses back. I found them to be amazingly balanced with no indication of hot spots or pressure points in any area.  I evaluated a new saddle as well as one that had been used for several years on many many different horses.  The results were the same for both: outstanding.

I am delighted with the results, of course, but not surprised.  I’ve spent many years perfecting the saddles…but still to see this empirical evidence is deeply gratifying. Thank you, Solange.

Just before the clinic at Davi’s manege, we attended the 13th International Luso-Brasileiro Auction at  Victor Oliva’s Coudelaria Ihla Verde.  Previously I mentioned that it was an exciting auction….and now I’ll tell you why.

We had spent the previous five days visiting farms, riding various horses and helping our clients to narrow their choices, ideally, to settle on the perfect horse for them.  Debra and I travel to Brazil several times each year to watch the progression of the young horses and assist in the training of many of the riders and horses.  It is generally the case that we know our clients riding styles and preferences as we usually have taught them in clinics or private lessons in the States. This helps us to narrow the choices and present the best options to prospective buyers.  As Saturday approached it became clear that Scott and Pam had revised their original thinking about wanting a young horse.  Scott decided that the horse for him was a Prix St. Georges stallion that we had seen and ridden several times during the week.  Laura, a client back home, had settled on Zaire and after watching students ride him and having the chance to sit on him myself for the third time in as many months, we all agreed that this was a good choice.  Now all that was needed was some luck.

The first horses in the auction were sold at astonishingly low prices.  We were all puzzled, and dismayed for the breeders, but the economy worldwide was making its effects known. Next up came a marvelous mare that brought an appropriately high price and we began to think maybe we would be shut out.  Then came Veneno VO (bred by our host Victor Oliva)….our Prix St. Georges stallion.  The bidding started briskly and then settled down to two bidders.  We were one.  Just as the bidding was slowing, with our bid the last, the owner of the stallion stepped forward to exhort the other bidders.  After all, here was a confirmed Prix St. Georges stallion being sold for an astonishingly reasonable price. Could our bid stand?  What seemed like an eternity passed…..with my heart in my throat and my hand on Scott’s shoulder….his eyes going back and forth from the auctioneer to Pam to me…and finally! The horse belonged to Scott and Pam!  What a celebration and exhalation followed! Champagne arrived at the table with congratulations from all around.  Tears of happiness and even some shock took us over for a bit.

Several horses came and went with another mare bringing a high price.  Then Zaire LS entered the arena.  He’s a big flashy liver chestnut that showed well and had received a lot of attention prior to the auction. We didn’t have quite the drawn out wait that we endured with Veneno, but it was a triumphal moment when the gavel fell on our bid.  We knew there would be a party that evening in Salt Lake City.  Congratulations again Laura.

The surprises were not over.  After watching the fabulous Al Capone, bred by Luis Salgado, go for too low a price…we saw the beautiful young mare, Bella SI, come into the ring.  Bella, bred by Paolo Salles, had lovely movement, a gorgeous head, and a calm head in the arena when we rode her.  Even with 7 stallions in the same arena the night before she just went about her work with marvelous regularity.  We all started looking around the table at each other.  How could we let a horse of this quality go for so little?  To everyone’s astonishment (and joy!) Pam spoke up and said that it was just as easy to care for two as one and BINGO that was it. Bella is coming to the states with Veneno.  The icing on the cake came when we discovered that they are both from the same mare.  Congratulations to Scott and Pam.

Tomorrow I’ll put up a report about our clinic, including pictures of all our guests…and pictures of Solange, Rodrigo, and Julia, a tiny little eight year old girl happily riding a 10 year old stallion around the arena.  This is the beauty of the Lusitano temperament.  Here are a couple of images from the auction and pre-auction riding times.  Enjoy.  And just to get you thinking…..the next newsletter will have all the information about our trip to Brazil in September to Lindoia. We’ll include a clinic and farm visits during this trip as well.  Get your visa now!

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Brazil trip report, May 2010, Part 1

Posted in blog information, classical dressage, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on 06/04/2010 | Leave a Comment »

We have just returned from a great trip to Brazil.  We visited the farms, rode many many wonderful horses, saw old friends, made new friends, and enjoyed the best of Brazilian hospitality wherever we went.  Before I go any further I want to thank our dear friend Davi Carrano from Manege Sant Adelaide for all his hard work and organization. The success of the trip was largely due to Davi’s care and hospitality. I want to congratulate the proud new owners of some fantastic Lusitanos: Scott and Pam will be welcoming home Veneno, a Prix St. Georges stallion, and the lovely Bella, Laura will be ecstatic to meet Zaire, and Nancy will be reunited with Ataualpa, a fabulous young Interagro stallion!  All the pictures are in the gallery below.

This year’s auction was surprising.  The quality of the horses, as always, was top notch.  So one would expect that with the global interest in the Lusitano as the perfect dressage mount the prices would reflect the quality.  Sadly, this was not always the case…..but we were very happy to be able to find great bargains for our clients.  The event was certainly a success, with beautiful horses, plentiful champagne, the suspense of the bidding….and the movie stars and dignitaries arriving by helicopter adding a little extra excitement to the festivities.  Congratulations and gratitude to Victor Oliva and all the team at Coudelaria Ihla Verde for another fantastic event!

I’ll continue the Brazil trip report in just a few days, but there is other news looking ahead:

There are new clinic dates in the calendar including a return to Virginia in July to give a clinic at Linda Bertschinger’s Classicus.  Join us for a great clinic in a beautiful spot in the Shenandoah Valley.  There are spots available for the clinic here at home in Healdsburg in late August.  Reserve your spot now as they won’t last long.  This is your best opportunity to ride intensively, on advanced horses, and study with both Dominique and Debra.  You’ll be in Healdsburg for the very beginning of the grape harvest and can enjoy all the region has to offer at this special time. Contact us for all the information.

In less than two weeks I will begin another long trip that will find me teaching in New Jersey at Nancy Clark’s Castlegate Farm, in Chicago at Jill MacCrae’s farm, and then to Germany to offer a lecture (in a castle near Hamburg!) prior to a clinic with my friend Gerd Heuschmann, and then a clinic near Munich the following week. I offer my thanks to Isabella Sonntag and to Gerd for their enthusiasm and the organization of these two events.

Enjoy the photos…there are many more to come from the trip.  Share the blog with friends, please.  There are great topics coming up, including a report on my saddles by Dr. Solange Mikhail, DVM, MS,  using thermographic imaging to expose potential problems (or, in our case, the amazing balance and quality of the saddle).

Amities  ~ D Barbier

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Welcome to Barbier Farm

Posted in classical dressage, horses for sale, Well-being of the Horse, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on 04/09/2010 | 4 Comments »

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a petition to sign, and some fun

Posted in blog information, classical dressage, horses for sale, Well-being of the Horse, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on 04/02/2010 | Leave a Comment »

As I prepare for my trip to Switzerland  next week I am feeling deeply the need to continue to create awareness of the issues the Dressage world is facing. Now is the time to speak for the horses in defense of their comfort, their dignity, and their well-being.  I have been working for four decades to teach the classical methods, which when applied properly will bring forth a horse who is grounded, calm, supple, and a happy partner to dance with.

My friend Nadja from Horses for Life has initiated a petition to keep the pressure on the FEI to uphold their original articles and rules.  Please go to this link and sign the petition..and PLEASE invite your friends to do the same.

This is just the beginning.  In the coming months you will hear a great deal from us about the efforts we will be making to bring our message to a larger audience.  I hope you will join us on the journey.

It’s not ALL seriousness here at Barbier Farm.  Last night we had the great pleasure to invite friends for egg coloring.  While no one managed to make a horse out of an egg, we did have a number of marvelously creative eggs…..all aided by a great dinner, some good wine, a little port, and a delicious gateau Marjolaine.

Amities,

~DBarbier

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Joyeuses Paques! (Happy Easter!)

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on 03/30/2010 | Leave a Comment »

The sun is playing hide and seek with us, but I am happy to be home in California after a stretch of good clinics.  The wisteria is blooming and the buds are turning to leaves on the grapevines.

I had the great pleasure to work with some marvelous horses over the last 2 weeks and to talk with friends and clients about our plans for the rest of the year. As always, it is going to be a busy time, with clinics around the country and in Europe and Brazil.

But first, a recap of my clinics…. At one of my favorite clinic locations, Jill MacCrae’s farm near Chicago, we rode outside on Friday in gorgeous sunshine and warmth and then the next day we woke up to 6 inches of snow, but the chill was replaced by the warmth of the participants. All the Lusitanos AND non-Lusitanos were very very good.  In New Jersey, it was my great pleasure to see Quitaro do Top back in work after four, yes FOUR colic surgeries.  He is in fine form and happy, largely due to the efforts of his “Mom”, Nancy Clark at Castlegate Farm.  I rode Tzigano Dos Pinhais, owned by Paul Galisin, and had as always a great time.  Tzigano is a wonderful boy….even after a long quiet winter he is ready to work and happily willing.  Lesley Pettneati’s lovely Trakehner mare performed beautifully.  I must thank my friend Gary Maholic…riding his Belgian Warmblood reminded me that even the big big fellows can have a delicate, glorious, light piaffe.  My stop at Dan Rosenthal and Ann West’s Green Gallery Farm is such a great pleasure as I have five Lusitanos waiting for me there including Quemetico do Top, Orador Interagro, Marques do Retiro, and Osado (Coimbra). My only complaint, it was too short. I finished the trip with a stop at Melinda D’Amico’s (Paz Apparel founder along with her husband Dan Fries) place to ride my old friend Orador.  He is such a gentleman and a great pleasure to work with.  We finished the lessons with Orador and Melinda performing perfect pirouettes!  Thank you ALL for a great clinic series.

In May, we will be back in Brazil for the 13th International Lus0-Brasileiro Auction at my friend Victor Oliva’s Coudelaria Ihla Verde….and then on to the International Lusitano Exposition.  We will be holding a three day clinic at Manege Sant’Adelaide and riding the wonderful horses of Davi Carrano. You can see all those details on the Brazil Trip page on this blog.  It is not too late to make your plans to be with us for this very exciting trip.  In many ways it is the best trip of the year to Brazil as it combines the farm visits with the chance to experience Brazilian culture on many levels…but always in great comfort and with the hospitality the Brazilians are known for.

Before Brazil though I will be in Zurich, Switzerland for a clinic, then Dayton, Ohio for a new clinic location in the US, then New Jersey for a private clinic before taking off for Brazil.  You can see all the dates and contact info for the clinics on our Facebook Page/Profile (search Barbier Farm if we are not already Facebook friends.)

It has been the custom for many years that students come to Barbier Farms to spend a week to work intensively.  In the past we have scheduled for individuals around the times that I am at home so that Debra and I can teach together.  We are changing this.  Moving forward, beginning in the fall, we will have specific times that you are invited to come to ride with us, to ride the horses in our barn, and to audit all the lessons that go on through the day.  Later this week, on this blog I will outline the program for you.  We would love to have you join us.  As spaces will be very limited, we will encourage you to reserve your spot early.  In addition to riding and riding and riding on fantastic Lusitano stallions we’ll have some special meals and opportunities to visit the wineries and see the sites around Sonoma and Napa.  Details to come.

Debra and I wish you all a Happy Easter ~ Joyeuses Paques!

Amities,

DBarbier

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Brazil trip report, part 3

Posted in classical dressage, Well-being of the Horse, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on 03/15/2010 | Leave a Comment »

As there are so many changes taking place in the Equestrian world, I thought it would be good to finish our Brazil Trip reports with our clinic and lecture with Dr. Gerd Heuschmann.  Mariana Castro and Hilda Maria Toledo Piza graciously arranged the Lecture and clinic at Manege Sant’Adelaide and invited Dr. Gerd Heuschmann to take part.  It was a resounding success and has encouraged us to begin to work together to eliminate the Rolkur/Hyperflexion training methods, as well as others, and to impress upon Equestrians everywhere the need to go back to the classical methods, indeed to understand and follow the existing rules of the FEI for dressage, and to connect with their horses using compassionate, caring training methods.

Clinic participants were treated to Dr. Heuschmann’s lectures on two days and practical demonstrations of the Biomechanics of the horse’s movements while being ridden correctly and incorrectly.  A special thank you to Davi for allowing us to ride his beautifully trained Lusitanos.

Dr. Heuschmann and I developed a strong friendship during the course of the clinic. Teaching, riding, and working with the participants in a manner that emphasizes the well-being of the horse, rather than the use of the horse as a way to win or to gratify the ego, or to commercialize/capitalize on them, has always been deeply meaningful to my students and points the way forward for the work to be done. With the situation in the equestrian world as it is, with over 60% of high level competition horses dying before age 8, we must answer the call from the horses.  We must say to the riding public now is the time to make your voice heard. Join with us to continue to speak out and speak loudly in defense of the horses and against inhumane training practices.  Let’s begin now to give back the love and partnership they have given us for such a long time!

I will be creating a DVD going point by point through the FEI rules to illustrate the correct movements and to explain why they are there and how they illustrate the correct/gentle/systematic training of the horse.  Check back with the blog for progress reports and dates for upcoming lectures and events.  Thank you…   ~ DBarbier

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Brazil trip report, part 2

Posted in classical dressage, Well-being of the Horse, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on 03/07/2010 | Leave a Comment »

I would like to share with you some photographs of our time at Mr. José Nogueira Martins’ home while filming for the latest interview on Tribuna Lusitana.  It was such a pleasure to spend time with Mr. Martins for we share the same regard for the Masters of Classical Dressage. His hospitality for Dr. Gerd Heuschmann and I was gracious and warm.  Dr. Heuschmann had just returned from Lausanne where he took place in discussion with the FEI committee on banning the Rolkur/hyperflexion training method.  I offer my congratulations and gratitude to Dr. Heuschmann, who with the help of Isabella Sonntag and WuWei Verlag collected over 42,000 signatures on a petition to present to the FEI to ban the Rolkur training practice.  I hope you’ll share the link for Tribuna Lusitana with your friends, it will help us to share our mission to preserve the heritage of the Lusitano and promote the well-being of ALL horses.

I’ve included some images from our clinic at Japu, the home of our friends Tonico and Tatiana Pereira.  It was our great pleasure to spend time with them and to share in the celebration of Tatiana’s birthday.  Tonico and Tatiana graciously opened their home and allowed people to ride their fabulous horses.  The weather was perfect but was eclipsed by the quality of the organization for the participants.  This clinic was truly international.  We had a French father and daughter riding, a group of Brazilian men, and the stars were Sophia and Thomas, the children of our hosts. They were astute and intensely interested in learning as much as they could. Thank you, Davi Carrano, for the great pictures!

In my next post, I’ll have images from our clinic at Manege Sant’Adelaide and from the symposium with Dr. Gerd Heuschmann. The comments section is now available to our blog readers and we welcome your remarks.  Join us, won’t you, on our quest to improve the well-being of the horses?

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Brazil trip report, part 1

Posted in classical dressage, Tips, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on 03/04/2010 | Leave a Comment »

Debra and I have just returned from a fantastic trip to Brazil.  We had so many wonderful things happening and we are very excited to give you this news….

We had a great start to our project with Mr. Jose Martins and Tribuna Lusitana. Tribuna Lusitana is an online TV show about Lusitano horses featuring interviews about the equestrian art and Lusitano breeding. It is now seen in 54 countries and receives more than 600 visits per day with that number growing daily and is already a Lusitano horse world reference.  Tribuna Lusitana highlights the well-being of the horse and how we should act to achieve it.  During our visit, we filmed three interviews that combine the history of classical horsemanship, the philosophy behind my teaching with respect to the Masters that have come before, and practical tips for starting your horse correctly, simplifying the work in hand technique, and lungeing.  It was a great pleasure to talk with Mr. Martins and expand our conversation to include some reminiscing about former riding Masters, including the Mestre Nuno Oliviera, and our mutual experiences with the heritage of classical riding in Portugal. I look forward to returning very soon.

Check back soon as we will be adding photos from our stay at Mr. Martins home, our clinic at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Tonico Pereira, and the fantastic reception that we had for the clinic and presentation at Manege Sant’Adelaide, featuring Dr. Gerd Heuschmann.  It was a very full 10 days!

~DB

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Ultraje

Posted in horses for sale, tagged , , , , , , , , , on 02/01/2010 | Leave a Comment »

Ultraje, our golden boy, is an 8 year old exceptional Lusitano stallion.  Since his arrival here at Barbier Farms during the summer of 2005, he has become a marvelous gentleman with a stunning presence.  He has excelled in his training, adding new movements with ease.  Visit the ULTRAJE page in the Horses For Sale tab for a photo gallery and pedigree information.  Dominique says “he has all the finest qualities that make the Lusitano such a wonderful horse to share your life with.”

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Welcome!

Posted in blog information, tagged , , , , , , , , , on 01/31/2010 | 2 Comments »

Welcome to our new blog.  We will be posting news items, travel opportunities, clinic re-caps, and information about our Lusitanos for sale. From time to time we will post training tips and video lessons.  We welcome your comments and hope you’ll check with us often and pass the link to all your equestrian friends.

Thank you for visiting.

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