Dr. Cesar Parra

One of Colombia's top international riders for much of his career, Dr. Cesar Parra’s version of the American dream came true in 2011 of not only representing the U.S. when he competed Grandioso at the Pan American Games, in Guadalajara, Mexico but helping secure a Team Gold Medal for the USA.
True to his philosophy of buying and developing quality horses up to their highest potential, Parra sold the 2001 Westfalian gelding by Grosso Z, owned by Michael and Sarah Davis to the Glock Performance Horse Centre in Austria.
Another win close to his heart was claiming the 2010 National Intermedaire I Championship at the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions on Olympia owned by Lori Washton. “It was such a special experience, finally, being able to compete in a National Championship wearing the colors red, white, and blue,” says Parra with genuine pride. Parra gained his U.S. citizenship in 2008.

Parra’s latest Grand Prix import, Van the Man, a 2002 KWPN gelding by Obelisk, also owned by Michael and Sarah Davis received a 73.2% in the Grand Prix Olympic Special at the WEF Wellington Dressage 2012 Nations’ Cup.
After the new partnership qualified and competed at the USET 2012 Olympic Selection Trials in Gladstone, NJ, Cesar’s decision to go slow over the summer paid off when a robust looking Van the Man won the Saugerties CDI-W FEI Grand Prix and placed second in the Olympic Grand Prix Special. The duo’s momentum continued at 2012 Dressage at Devon placing third in the Grand Prix.

Michael and Sarah Davis’ Simply Nymphenburg is another promising star gaining notice. Cesar describes this 17.2 Hanoverian gelding by Sir Donnerhall in one word, “Outstanding!”
At the 2012 Markel/USEF National Young Horse Championships at Lamplight Equestrian Center, IL, Simply showed marked improvement after finishing fourth on the first day to return the second day to win the class and earn the Reserve Championship for the 6-Year-Old division.
With Parra, Simply Nymphenburg delivered an impressive performance at Dressage at Devon, taking the 2012 Grand Champion title in the FEI Young Horse Finals with scores of 80.60% and 84.20%.
Another horse in the wings, Lindner, a 2005 Westfalen gelding owned by the Davis’ received an 80.7% in a First level test early this year and won both his third Level tests at Saugerties, NY this fall. “He is truly a performance horse and we look forward to seeing what he can do in the higher levels.”

A Traveling Man

From the Olympic Trials and shopping trips to Germany, Parra returns to his roots to teach several clinics in Colombia each summer and early fall. He plans to add Argentina to his clinic schedule as well. His believes in creating international bridges for talent and learning, where energy and passion between instructors and students fuels a higher level for the job of training both riders and horses.

In July, Parra headed to Kentucky to coach a very special Junior Rider from Colombia, Nicolas Torres Rodriguez to win the FEI Junior Team Test, scoring a 70% out of 36 riders at the 2012 North American Junior Young Rider Championships in Lexington. The only individual from Colombia to be invited, Nicolas and Cesar were thrilled to be a part of this excitement.

Cesar owes his success to the strong support team behind him. Over the past few years, he has steadily built Performance Farms into a sales and training facility that not only has a stable full of good, young horses with international potential but also has a stable full of talented young riders that come through his “Cross Ties” Program, which gives students needed exposure to all facets of becoming professional horsemen. He arranges constant visits and clinics from some of the top trainers in the world like Dr. Volker Moritz. “We really are fortunate to get help from the best of the sport,” Parra emphasizes. The collective talent of the Performance Farms team is perhaps unmatched anywhere in the U.S. and Cesar couldn't be more proud.

"I can tell you that if I don't stay fit, or watch my weight, they will run over me. They are good. They are really, really good," Cesar said of his team of young riders. At any one time, he has about half a dozen top young riders from the U.S. and abroad and the rings at Performance Farms buzz with activity. When not riding himself, Cesar is often in the center of it all, like a ringmaster directing his talented troupe of riders. "Performance Farms is not Cesar Parra. Performance Farms is a team and at the moment, I'm the director. Tomorrow, it will be someone else. This is like an institution and like any institution, someone leads it and when he dies, someone else takes over. Right now, I'm leading. Tomorrow, someone else takes over. That's how I see it," Cesar said.

While he strives to represent the U.S. again internationally, Cesar's real focus in life is on developing the next generation of riders. "I want to be able to give them amazing opportunities. I also want to help students achieve their individual goals whether it be to become an FEI rider or and adult amateur wanting to show Second level,” he says. Cesar’s vision is committed for long haul. “I really see myself with a nice hat and nice shirt coaching this good kid when I'm 80 years old." Katie Riley has worked for Cesar for the last 12 years and has successfully competed through Grand Prix. She’s currently competing Zanzibar, an 8-year-old who just started at Prix St George, while also bringing along a few very talented horses toward Grand Prix. “I’ve traveled with Cesar to shows all over the world acting as his eye on the ground and in addition have had the opportunity to coach pony, juniors, young riders as well as adult amateurs at National Championships,” says Riley, whose role as assistant trainer under Cesar she feels has provided her with a wealth of advantages. “Cesar's barn has a fantastic atmosphere. It’s inspirational and a positive environment that is really conducive for learning. The people support each other. It’s really a happy place.” Riley attributes the success of Cesar’s style to his background as a teacher at the post graduate level. “Cesar has a way to make learning fun, even on intense days. He really knows how to teach, not just how to ride.” Plus, she adds that he constantly is open to learning himself, and if he learns some new tool or exercise that helps him he always wants to pass it along. “He loves when his students are successful, even more than his personal success.”