Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Posts Tagged ‘Federation Equestrian International’

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!


Read Full Post »

Brazil trip report 2, May 2010

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

More news about our Brazil trip…..

While Brazil is certainly our favorite destination, often, the best part of travel is the company you keep.  This was especially true for our trip.  We had great friends along and were able to take everyone to visit farms that are owned by friends we have made on our trips to Brazil for the last ten years.   Scott and Pam started out looking for a young horse to train, Linda was looking to ride as many horses as possible, Jennifer was looking for a young horse as well, and Nancy was looking to gain riding experience on upper level horses.

Our first visit was to Japu Top, the home of Tonico Pereira and Tatiana Pontifex.  Tatiana and Tonico have built upon the legacy created by his father, Mr. Toni Pereira, so that now he can offer the finest bloodlines of Lusitanos anywhere.  His horses have such quality and the hospitality is warm and gracious. We got to see Zucchini Do Top, Xama Do Top, Brazil Do Top, and many other exceptionally fine horses.  Linda had a great lesson in piaffe, passage, and flying changes on Zucchini, and Nancy did great canter work with him.  Tonico and Tatiana also have a marvelous aviary and we enjoyed learning about all the species of birds that Tonico keeps on the farm.

Visiting the stunningly situated farm, Coudelaria Rocas do Vouga, owned by Manuel and Thereza Almeida, and home to Olympic rider Luiza Almeida and her talented siblings Thaisa, Manuel, and Pedro, was a special treat. It is easy to see Olympic dreams and aspirations being nurtured in such an environment.  A special thank you must be offered to Raul Silva, our host and guide for the day. Raul’s exemplary management and gentlemanly demeanor are in evidence in all facets of the the farm.

We went next to Haras Juliana to see several of the horses that were slated for the auction, including Zaire and Al Capone.  A rainy cool day was warmed by the hospitality and opportunity to ride many horses.  Everyone enjoyed a fun ride on Al Capone, and we all enjoyed watching the schooling of Xodo and Zaire. (And if you remember from the first post, Zaire is now headed to his lucky new owner, Laura, in Salt Lake City!)

We found ourselves next at the home of our dear friend Davi Carrano.  Manege Sant’ Adelaide is located, amazingly, within 20 minutes of downtown Sao Paolo, but is a soothing green oasis.  We saw a number of Davi’s horses, watched them schooling, and rode Bacco, Ataualpa, Xamorro, Biscuit, Prince, and other amazing fellows.  The quality of the training shines in Davi’s horses….as there are often children coming to ride the stallions…and riders of all levels can learn from each of them.  Though we had to leave that night we were all happy to know that we were having a three day clinic with these wonderful horses beginning the next week.  And Nancy came away with her head reeling, as it seems she had been chosen by a horse…….stay tuned.

Next up was a visit to Coudelaria Ihla Verde, the home and farm belonging to our friend Victor Oliva….and the site of the 13th Annual Luso-Brasileiro Auction.  The farm was a beehive of activity with all the preparations for the auction in full swing (and only 2 days away)….but we were graciously welcomed in a style that only Victor can offer.  We settled in to watch and to ride.  Rogerio Clementino, Olympic competitor, brought out Veneno and had a lesson with Daniel Pinto, World Champion and Portuguese Olympic veteran.  After the lesson, Linda, Scott, and Jennifer were able to ride Veneno for a bit….and Linda treated us all to an exhibition of piaffe and passage.  Well done Linda!

We had a great lunch with Victor, Daniel, and Carlos Lopes, head of the Portuguese selection committee….and a lively discussion arose about the controversy in the FEI. We didn’t come to any agreement, but talking with competitors and judges at such a high level offers insight and can inform later discussions.

Here is a gallery of images to enjoy.  In another day or so I’ll have the complete auction report (it was VERY exciting) and the promised article about the thermographic imaging of my saddles.

Amities ~ D Barbier

Read Full Post »

Looking ahead to Brazil, from France

Posted in blog information, classical dressage, Well-being of the Horse, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on 04/12/2010 | Leave a Comment »

Having finished a very busy clinic in Switzerland, I am taking a few days to travel in France to visit family.  Thank you to all the participants for making the clinic such a success.  Upon my return to the US, I will be in Canfield, Ohio, for a new clinic with old friends, then Connecticut, Illinois, Washington, then New Jersey….you can see the calendar and find links in the CLINICS page on this blog or on our Facebook profile.

I wanted to share the latest news from Brazil and encourage you to think about traveling with us for the Auction, Expo, and a special clinic at Manege Sant’Adelaide.  Debra and I received this announcement from Victor Oliva, founder of the prestigious Luso-Brasileiro Auction:

The Internacional Luso Brasileiro Auction is already the most traditional and important auction of the Lusitano Horse, because, in addition to gathering the best Brazilian breeders, it has increasingly sought to select animals based on functional outlines, especially Classical Dressage.
In this auction were sold, among others, Oceano do Top and Nilo VO, both Olympic Horses, and Parágrafo do Top, Ultraje VO, Amuleto VO, all champions in the shows at USA. The Luso Brasileiro Auction will be held on May, 22 at Coudelaria Ilha Verde - Araçoiaba da Serra – Brazil, and it opens the XXIV International Exhibition of the Lusitano, the most important event of the breed in Brazil. We’re looking forward to see you there!

Debra and I visit Brazil several times each year to observe and watch the young horses progress and conduct clinics at some of the farms for the riders who are responsible for their training.  Because of this our service to a prospective buyer is incredibly valuable.  We know the horses in the auction and in many instances have ridden them.  If you are thinking of a Lusitano of your very own, now is the time to come with us to find your horse. With interest in the Lusitano exploding around the world, we may never again have the opportunity to purchase horses of quality at reasonable prices.  Click on the page above “May 2010 Brazil Trip Details” for all the information.

And a final comment….I spoke at length with Nadja King from Horses For Life just before I left for Switzerland. It was a great pleasure. I am happy to say that Nadja has a new issue available with a number of important articles, including the editorial on the “Just say YES to 401″ campaign.  Article 401 in the FEI Rules …”5…the head should remain in a steady position, as a rule slightly in front of the vertical, with a supple poll as the highest point of the neck…” p.11,  and Article 419….“The FEI instituted an International Dressage Event in 1929 in order to preserve the Equestrian Art from the abuses to which it can be exposed and to preserve it in the purity of its principles, so that it could be handed on intact to generations of athletes to come.” p.28.  Follow this link to find out more.

Thank you for the wonderful messages about our video, please continue to share it with your friends.  And thank you especially for your interest and for your care of the Horses.

Amities ~ DDBarbier

Read Full Post »

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

Read Full Post »

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

Read Full Post »

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?

Read Full Post »

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 118 other followers