(Originally posted at Horse Back Magazine)

Dr. Cesar Parra delivered outstanding performances aboard Don Cesar during weeks 10 and 11 of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (Photo credit: Nuno Coelho Vicente)

Wellington, FL (March 28, 2017) – Don Cesar, a seven-year-old Westphalian gelding (Desperados x Manhattan), has made a sensational debut in the CDI competition ring in weeks 10 and 11 of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida. Ridden by Dr. Cesar Parra, an Olympic veteran and founder of Piaffe Performance Farms, the handsome chestnut swept the 7-year-old classes in both weeks, clinching first place honors in both FEI Young Horse Test for 7 Year Olds Finals, as well as in both FEI Preliminary Test for 7 Year Olds CDIs.

“I’m very excited, very satisfied, and also grateful to this horse,” remarked Parra after his most recent victory aboard Don Cesar. “He is truly amazing. He’s been giving me everything he has, and there is so much more still in him to give. He always goes in the ring and performs very well. I am very happy with him.”

The judging panels included international judges and 5* Olympic judges, who were equally impressed by the young horse’s exceptional performance and potential. “He has a very clear rhythm in the trot; very elastic steps. We were very happy with his ability to collect and extend.” the judges announced.

The Parra family has a longstanding connection to Don Cesar, having known him since he was born and owned him since he was three years old. Next on the list of goals for the promising mount is to qualify for the 2017 World Young Horse Championships in Ermelo, the Netherlands later this year.

Earlier this season, Parra captured two above 80 percent scores on Don Cesar, and the pair won three additional FEI Young Horse classes for seven-year-olds.

Parra has also been racking up wins this season with the eight-year-old Westphalian mare Belle Ami (Belissimo M x Reebook), including first place in the USEF Developing Prix St. Georges along with a high score of 74.412 percent. Belle Ami is owned by Parra, Brooke Centrella, and George Feldman.

Parra also rides Fashion Designer OLD (Faustinus x De Niro), a nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Martin Sosnoff. The duo performed their first-ever FEI Intermediate II class this season, capturing the first blue ribbon of the talented gelding’s Grand Prix career.

Dr. Parra’s team of international riders includes Katie Riley, Rodrigo Encinas Fuentes, Roberto Brazil, and Merita Hagren, who have been consistently demonstrating their skill in the saddle with the spectacular horses that they are campaigning throughout the Wellington winter circuit.

Throughout the 2017 Florida season, the team has supported not only its own riders but also extraordinary adult amateur competitors by presenting the Piaffe Performance Adult Amateur Achievement Award. This award honors amateur riders who contribute to the sport of dressage through sincere sportsmanship and high-quality horsemanship.

Dr. Cesar Parra is an Olympian and a Pan American Games Dressage Team Gold Medalist, as well as a two-time World Cup Finalist. He also competed twice in the World Equestrian Games. A US National Champion, and a trainer of numerous National Champions, Dr. Parra, and his exceptional team, can be found in two locations – Jupiter, Florida, and Whitehouse Station, New Jersey. Learn more about training and lessons by following the Piaffe Performance official Facebook page or visiting www.Piaffe-Performance.com.