Anyone ever heard of "Sons of the Wind" farm?

I passed a very fancy trailer today with the barn’s name on it.

http://sonsofthewindfarm.com/home

Website shows Lusitanos doing dressage.

I tried a few of their horses when I was shopping last year. Julie and Vitor were nice, and had a well trained, well behaved group of youngsters.

I remember them, by name/uniqueness only (never dealt with them personally). If I recall correctly, they were up in NH for a bit, and relocated to MA.

Yup. I’ve been to the dressage schooling shows they do. They have a lovely facility in NE Mass, and bring some very nice Lusitanos to the local shows.

I follow them on facebook, and I think they were just doing a clinic tour - https://www.facebook.com/sonsofthewind.lusitanofarm?ref=ts&fref=ts

Quite well known in the Albany, NY area. Has done some clinics.

I’ve heard of it. The facility is owned by a Portuguese trainer by the name of Vitor Silva. He most definitely has some nice horses. I once saw him, or maybe it was his students in a quadrille (?) perform at Equitana in Louisville, KY eons and eons ago. Nicely done.

A good friend rode with him for a bit.
She’s an experienced and intelligent person, and had positive things to say.

I interviewed Vitor Silva (the owner) a few years ago for an article I was writing. He was very kind, and I was very impressed with his approach to riding and training. I’ve heard great things about him.

Cool! I might have to take a field trip and stop by the barn. It looks gorgeous. :slight_smile:

PintoPiaffe used to haul down to him.

Don’t want to derail this thread, but I’m just curious…are Lusitanos generally appropriate as jumpers/sport horses? I know it depends on each horse, but I’ve always loved their look. Only ever seen them in Dressage, though.

They’re actually made for speed sports more so than dressage. :winkgrin:
They do very well in most anything, including jumpers. (not hunters though)

However in the USA be prepared for a long shopping time if looking. :wink: They’re a bit pricey and us Americans tend to think we can improve on perfection by making them too tall.

Sons of the Wind has a stellar reputation. :yes: And Casa Lusitana is beautiful. They have one or two open houses annually, public is welcome and they throw a great show/party.

And be prepared to deal with a bizarre and unpleasant registry.

I just returned from a week at Sons of the Wind’s Merrimac, MA, facility for an immersive dressage experience. I took 2 private lessons a day from Vitor Silva and Maggie McDonald, and stayed in their lovely guesthouse which is like staying in a fully-appointed private home. I cannot rave enough about my unique experience. I actually found them thru this forum. There is nowhere else like this. This was next-level: the training, Lusitano horses, staff, and accommodations. I cannot wait to return, and plan to bring my husband this time. I am a beginning rider and I wish I had done this years ago.

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I have written a couple of articles about them and found them to be lovely people with exceptionally well cared for, beautiful horses.

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I am also in the area. Both Sons of the Wind and Casa Lusitana, which is 20-ish miles away, have excellent reputations. The horses are pricey but well trained and well cared for, and very beautiful. I’d recommend starting with lessons or an intensive retreat like Violet did. (I’m not sure if Casa Lusitana offers similar things.) The trainers and a lot of the horses go south for the winter.

I do know one – and only one – buyer where things didn’t work out, and she will admit that much of this was her fault. She fell in love with the romantic nature of the horses and people at the barn, and bought on an impulse. But she has no complaints about the return process.

Love the comment re making them too tall…agree 100%.

Re jumping, not saying they cant, but if you want to do much height, they wouldn’t be my breed of choice. But if you want to see some fun stuff, watch this working equitation video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ8d9ByD5L4

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Julie is in FL, now, btw. She is lovely, and while I haven’t lessoned with her, I can vouch for her horse care (I used to house sit for her).

The 16 y/o Pony-Clubber in me would have died for a Games pony like that. They are TRULY worth their weight and then some in gold. Thanks for the video! I am really impressed at his degree of control, and that horse’s intelligence and training… I love how he sees some of the obstacles before the rider cues and sets himself up to do them!

My horse was initially imported by them (not fr me but for the person I got him from)… very good reputation.