(Originally posted on Medium)

The winter dressage competition season in Wellington, Florida has come to an end, and the Piaffe Performance Farm team, led by Dr. Cesar Parra, finished off with numerous successes as well as high hopes for what’s to come in the summer months at their home base in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey.

Parra was responsible for training and leading his students to incredible riding accomplishments. First up was Finland-native Merita Hagren. During the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, Hagren rode a Westfalian mare, called Belle Ami. The mare is co-owned by Parra, George Feldman, and Brooke Centrella. Hagren shined while riding Belle Ami to an undefeated season, culminating with a high score during week three. Moreover, Hagren successfully rode a Hanoverian, by the name of Don Perygnon and owned by Martin Sosnoff, while competing in her first Under 25 Grand Prix at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. After competing, Hagren took the time to thank Parra and Katie Riley for “making her dream come true” and for allowing her to be a part of a great team.

Another of Parra’s riders who shined brightly during this winter season was Nadine Buberl. Buberl has been riding with Piaffe Performance since 2010. She rode Don Perygnon in the Grand Prix at several shows throughout the season and earned the first and second place ribbons at the Welcome Back to White Fences Dressage Shows. Buberl also took the time to thank her trainers Parra and Riley as well as the owners of her incredible riding partner.

Parra, who is a notable 2011 U.S. Pan American Games Dressage Team Gold medalist not only led his students to success, he also scored impressive winnings with his young horses.

Two of the accomplishments he was personally most proud about were Fashion Designer OLD and Don Cesar. In the previous winter season, these two young horses ended up qualifying and competing at the Markel/USEF Developing Horse Championships. Fashion Designer OLD is an eight-year-old Oldenburg gelding also owned by Martin Sosnoff. Fashion Designer OLD consistently scored more than 70% in the Developing Prix St. Georges during this winter season. Another of Parra’ favorites, Don Cesar, is a six-year-old Westphalian gelding, owned by Parra. Don Cesar successfully earned high scores in every class he participated in and qualified for the 2016 Markel/USEF Young Horse Championships.

With this winter season coming to an end and walking away with high scores and blue, red, and yellow ribbons, Parra and his Piaffe Performance team are excited to go back to training this summer and continue to excel in the upcoming seasons.