✨ "Your horse does not anticipate. He simply reads your mind." – Dominique Barbier ✨ "I want people to smile when they ride, because if they don't smile, why are you riding?" – Dominique Barbier Dominique Barbier grew up in France with no horsey family background, but an early and almost uncanny sensitivity to horses that set him apart from the biomechanical training he encountered in England and France. After training and competing across multiple disciplines, he made his way to Portugal to study for two years with the legendary Nuno Oliveira, absorbing lessons that would go on to shape the French-Portuguese school of dressage he now teaches worldwide from his base in California. This conversation centers on Don Giovanni, the volatile, nearly-destroyed stallion who became Dominique's greatest teacher, and the three-step process of "getting out of the way" that Dominique developed to earn his trust. Dominique and Rupert also dig into descente de main and descente de jambe, the difference between riding physically and riding mentally, and Dominique's blunt take on spurs, competition, and the pursuit of joy over technique. A candid, wide-ranging two-hour conversation from one of dressage's most original voices. FREE Helios Harmony Intro Course: https://longridehome.com/onoutpout All Books Mentioned: https://longridehome.com/books What You'll Learn in This Episode 00:03:00 – Dominique's unusual early sensitivity to horses and how his father let him follow his passion 00:12:00 – Why Dominique says a horse doesn't anticipate — he reads your mind 00:16:00 – The nine months Dominique couldn't ride, and what he discovered about the intellectual mind blocking connection 00:20:00 – Dominique's 90/10 philosophy: staying out of the horse's way 00:39:00 – How Dominique met and nearly lost the chance to save Don Giovanni, the horse who taught him the most 00:48:00 – The three-step process Dominique used to earn Don Giovanni's trust 00:52:00 – Reading a horse's true preferences through nature, play, and "crazy time" 01:04:00 – The story behind descente de main, descente de jambe from Dominique's time with Nuno Oliveira 01:13:00 – Why Dominique now teaches people to smile when they ride 01:50:00 – Fear as simply "what you don't know," and how Dominique helps students move through it Memorable Moments from the Episode 00:42:00 – The dramatic story of winning the right to bring Don Giovanni home — a horse marked for destruction 01:26:00 – Dominique's candid reflection on Nuno Oliveira's complicated inner life, and why he never wanted to "be" his master 01:42:00 – Dominique's confession about once owning 300 spurs, and why he regrets it 02:00:00 – Dominique reveals his upcoming book, simply titled Consciousness 02:16:00 – Dominique's parting invitation to share a glass of Merlot with Rupert in California Guest Contact & Links Dominique Barbier Website: https://dominiquebarbier.com About Dominique Barbier Dominique Barbier is one of the leading figures in classical dressage, known as an exponent of the French-Portuguese school. Raised in France with no equestrian family background, he trained across multiple disciplines before spending two formative years studying under the legendary Nuno Oliveira in Portugal. He has authored numerous books, including Dressage for the New Age, with a new book titled Consciousness forthcoming, and continues to teach and train worldwide from his base in California. His approach emphasizes visualization, presence, and reading what a horse genuinely enjoys over rigid technique. 🐎 Want to go deeper? Join the Long Ride Home membership — weekly live sessions, exclusive content, and a community of riders seeking real connection with their horses. 👉 https://longridehome.com — just $24.95/month See All of Rupert's Programs and Shows: Website: https://rupertisaacson.com Follow Us: Long Ride Home Website: https://longridehome.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/longridehome.lrh Instagram: https://instagram.com/longridehome_lrh YouTube: https://youtube.com/@longridehome New Trails Learning Systems Website: https://ntls.co Facebook: https://facebook.com/horseboyworld Instagram: https://instagram.com/horseboyworld YouTube: https://youtube.com/newtrailslearningsystems Affiliate Disclosure: Links to books and products may include affiliate tracking. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.
