International dressage rider, trainer and instructor Dr. Cesar Parra was one of Colombia’s top international riders for much of his career, competing in the Olympics, riding in the World Equestrian Games and being named the Colombian National Champion multiple times. While Parra found great success in Colombia, his dream was to ride for the United States.

In 2008, Parra realized his dream and became an American citizen. Since then he has been thrilled to hear the Star-Spangled Banner played in the winner’s circle many times. Parra, who owns Piaffe-Performance farm with locations in New Jersey and Florida, now has his sights set on one day representing the United States in international competition.

While Parra continues to work toward his goals, he is also focusing on developing the next generation of riders. Over the past few years, he has steadily built Piaffe-Performance into a sales and training facility that not only has a stable full of good, young horses with international potential but he also has a stable full of talented young riders. The collective talent of Piaffe-Performance is perhaps unmatched anywhere in the U.S and Parra couldn’t be more proud.

“The Piaffe-Performance team is fortunate to have dedicated students, professionals, and clients from all over the world. I have seen my team perform amazing feats of care, love, and heroism to help everyone’s horses. I am very proud of them,” Parra said.

Part of working together as a team included the exciting news in 2009 that Piaffe-Performance rider Michael Davis purchased the celebrated Westfalen gelding Grandioso to help support Parra’s goal of representing the U.S. as a team rider. Parra is thrilled to have the ride on Grandioso, a horse he describes as the best horse he has ever ridden, and is thankful that Davis purchased the horse from Jason Canton. Davis, his wife Sarah and his daughter Bebe are all dressage riders at Piaffe-Performance. “I met Cesar four years ago and over the years I have really come to know and trust Cesar. His hard work behind the scenes, his willingness to share his knowledge and his drive to be the best truly impressed me,” said Davis.

Parra said he plans to let his partnership with Grandioso evolve. Davis and Parra agree there is no reason to rush, as Grandioso is only 8 years old. “Grandioso learned most of his movements for Grand Prix from Jason and now I plan build on his training and continue to develop Grandioso to his full potential,” said Parra.

While Parra looks forward to success in the show ring with Grandioso, it will only add to the excitement of his fall 2009 success. Parra and Lori Washton’s 13-year-old KWPN gelding Olympia proved that good things come in threes at the 2009 New England Dressage Association Fall Festival CDI-W/Y/J. The pair went three for three winning the Prix St. Georges, Intermediaire I and the Intermediaire Freestyle.

A few weeks later, Parra and Olympia wrapped up Dressage at Devon with another hat trick – winning all three CDI classes as well as the high score award for Best FEI Rider. Parra and Olympia won the FEI Prix St. Georges class, the FEI Intermediaire I and the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle. “I was really excited to win at Devon, because winning at Devon is difficult,” said Parra. “The standard of judging is high and there are so many competitors and anything can happen.”

As an international dressage rider Parra’s list of accomplishments is long. Highlights of his career include: winning many CDI Grand Prix classes, including the freestyle at Devon; 2007 winner of the USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Eastern Selection Trial 6 year old division; 2006 participant in the World Equestrian Games in Aachen; 2004 participant of Olympic games in Athens; 2003 Pan American Games, individual 4th; 2002 Central American Games, individual silver; 2002 participant in the World Equestrian Games; 1999 Pan American Games, team silver, individual 5th; 1998 Central American Games, team gold, individual gold; 1997 FEI World Tour winner; and 1996 Samsung Tour winner.

While Parra’s equestrian accomplishments are vast, his educational background is also impressive. He studied at both Boston University and Harvard University and holds a Masters Degree in the Science of Dentistry. In addition, he is fluent in Spanish, English and German. Parra’s professional associations include: International Dressage Trainer Club; United States Dressage Federation; United States Equestrian Federation; Colombian National Equestrian Federation; and the International Dressage Riders Club.

Due in part to his phenomenal show success and sincere work ethic, Parra has partnered with a variety of sponsors including Equilite, ThinLine, MOSS Professional Equine Products, Ogilvy Horse, One-a-Day Equine Supplement, Coldflex and Trilogy Dressage Saddles.

“Most people know that I am very detail oriented and a bit of a perfectionist,” Parra said. “So is Debbie Witty, owner of Trilogy Dressage Saddles. She is always working hard to fit saddles in the best way possible for every horse. You can tell that she really cares about her product and customer satisfaction.”

Parra rides in the Verago Saddle by Trilogy and has become a supportive and enthusiastic representative for the company. “I can’t say enough wonderful things about Cesar,” Witty said. “Not only is he a great supporter of our saddles, but he is a great horseman and I am proud to have him as part of our Trilogy team. He is a great rider and a great person, always willing to go the extra mile. I truly admire his integrity and character.”

Parra and his team at Piaffe-Performance provide full-service training based on the Classical German Training Methods. During his career, Parra has trained with Herbert Rehbein, Herbert Kuckluck, Siegfired Peilicke, Hans Rueben, Hubertus Schmidt and Dr. Volker Moritz.

While Parra’s personal life philosophies are courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, sharing, and strength of character, he believes in order to be successful it takes a team. “It is all about teamwork. All of the key players on my team, from owners and grooms to beginner riders to international caliber riders, play a huge part.” Parra said. “I am grateful for the people and horses in my life. And of course I could not do any of this without the help of my wife. She allows us to lead a normal life even with the kids in college and me showing,” Parra said.

Contact Information:

Performance Farms, Dr. Cesar Parra
14 Shade Lane
Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889