Brazilian Lusitanos are quite new to the United States. In fact, the first horse was imported in 1994, but only since 2001 have the numbers of Lusitanos shipped to the United States begun to rise. Dominique and Debra Barbier account for between one-fifth and one-eighth of all the Lusitanos imported into the United States over the past few years.
The Lusitano came to Brazil from Portugal almost 40 years ago. These first breeders had a vision and a passion for the Lusitano born from their own Portuguese ancestry. Combining their resources, the land, and their personal dedication has allowed them, over the years, to refine the breed, creating their own impressive bloodlines. Brazilian-bred Lusitanos are now being returned to Portugal and are also appreciated around the world.
Sharing their own passion for Lusitanos, Dominique and Debra have been working with many of these committed Brazilian breeders for the past seven years, not only organizing trips to Brazil for prospective buyers, but becoming actively involved and working with many of the professionals at the farms.
You can share the passion too…!