Thursday, April 6, 2006

Cesar Parra's Piaffe Performance Dressage in Florida Ends Season on High Note

Young Riders with the NAYRC 2006 as a Goal

Ashley Peterson would also like to qualify for this year’s NAYRC. With the nine year old KWPN gelding Augustus, Peterson earned a first place in the Young Rider Freestyle with a 67.33% at one Florida show. Peterson commutes to Florida on the weekend from New York, where she attends Fordham University as a student of international political economy. “Dressage is a difficult sport. [Dr. Parra] knows how and what to ask. My horse has improved so much, both his quality of gaits and mentally. I’m very happy with the way my horse is going. I have big dreams and I know [Dr. Parra] can help.”

Another young rider who has hopes of qualifying for a major championship is Emily Wagner of LaCygne, Kansas. The 18-year-old high school student met Dr. Parra at a clinic and began training with him this winter in Florida. Riding Michael Shondel’s Wallaby, Emily earned top ribbons in Florida in the junior division. Although Wagner has been riding since she was three, she appreciates the finer points of Dr. Parra’s teaching. “Cesar pushes you and is very strict, but it is always positive,” she says. “He is always after you about your position. When he is working with you on something, he always goes back to the rider and your position—it has to be perfect.”

For Wagner it also the high standard of horse care and horse happiness that impresses her. “[Dr. Parra’s] always asking, ‘is the horse enjoying it? Is he happy?’ I don’t know of a place that takes better care of their horses. When I go back home, I’m always sad to leave. It’s totally inspirational being there.”