About Us

Brenda and Elizabeth, two sisters with a dream about horses.

Please contact us with any questions or to make reservations to ride with us on our beautiful Parelli trained horses.
Brenda and Elizabeth moved to Costa Rica with a dream to raise their children together riding horses in paradise. For the past 6 years this is exactly what they have been doing. Now they want to share this horseback riding paradise with you.
 Elizabeth Hawkins
Elizabeth Hawkins
Elizabeth Hawkins first came to Central America in the late 80’s when she worked for human rights organizations as a health worker and a nurse in refugee camps and orphanages. Returning repeatedly over the past 20 years she has lived in Guatemala, El Salvador and Panama and has traveled in Mexico and Nicaragua. She has been living in Costa Rica for the past 8 years creating the Barking Horse Farmwith her husband Steven and their two children. The farm has dairy goats that provide milk, cheese and yogurt, chickens, ducks and geese for eggs; organic vegetable gardens and fruit trees and of course, horses. For the past 5 years she has been training her horses using the Parelli Natural Horsemanship techniques. She speaks fluent Spanish and has a deep understanding and love for Central American culture. She is fun loving and adventurous and loves riding the rugged mountain trails of Costa Rica.
 Brenda Nasse
Brenda Nasse has been a horse owner all her life. Starting out from childhood she has had a natural affinity with horses, choosing to spend as much time as she could with them. She has studied classical dressage riding and jumping since childhood. She moved to Costa Rica 6 years ago with her two children and now owns 9 horses almost all of which she bought young and started and trained herself. She is a sensitive horse trainer who incorporates Parelli Natural Horsemanship techniques into all her classical training and riding for a unique blend and style. She is a gifted riding instructor and teaches riding lessons to all levels and abilities. Since coming to Costa Rica she has built the beautiful equestrian facilities of Establo San Rafael where she practices her horsemanship and teaches lessons. You will be inspired to see her connection and communication with horses.
Elizabeth and her daughter Olivia
Steven
Steven

Steven, Elizabeth’s husband, is an educator, college professor, theater director and social activist who is also handy with a shovel and pick axe around the farm. To learn more about Steven and the work he does, visit his website.

Olivia

Olivia, age 16, is Steven and Elizabeth’s daughter. She is the editor of the Puriscal  Homeschool Group Newspaper. She is in charge of caring for the goats, including twice daily milkings. She also takes care of the chickens and the ducks and breeds and sells ducklings. She administers veterinary medications and injections and maintains the medical records of all the animals on the farm.

Sam, age 13, is Steven and Elizabeth’s son. An avid gardener, he enjoys keeping the gardens free from weeds, harvesting and planting vegetables. He can often be found in the art cottage, carving wood, hand building with clay, or maybe at the pottery wheel.

Brenda and her daughter Cameroun

Brenda and Elizabeth are sisters. Brenda is the owner and operator of Establo San Rafael, also located here on the farm. A horse owner and Dressage and Jumping student all her life, she has been teaching Dressage and Jumping professionally for the last 10 years. She trains horses through all levels starting at birth. She has an innate ability to understand and communicate with horses. She sees her horses as members of her family and they respond to her as such. Many of the horse activities here at the farm, such as day rides, multi day treks and teaching clinics are a joint effort between Elizabeth, Brenda, and their horses.

Abel
Abel

Abel, Brenda’s partner and companion, manages the stables. He keeps the horses happy and healthy. His smiling face will greet you at the airport.  Be sure to sample his authentic Colombian cuisine and fresh tropical juice drinks during your stay at the farm.

Cameroun is Brenda’s 12 year old daughter. She is in charge of caring for the rabbits.  An accomplished gymnast and dancer she  likes to fly high on the rope swing. She enjoys making scrumptious baked goods in kitchen and invites you to join her in creating some of her favorite recipies.

Charlie
Charlie

Charlie is Brenda’s 15 year old son. He has been riding horses for as long as he has been walking. The homeschool group’s resident historian and budding social activist will surely engage you in an interesting conversation about current events and the state of the world.