The Students Reflect the Training Philosophy

Having watched Parra's students train and show, the moment was there to find out the training philosophy behind their success. It is classical dressage. The horses are warmed up by being being ridden round and only a little bit deep, just so that they can stretch their necks, find a comfortable contact with the bit, loosen their back muscles and get their legs ready for some work. Cesar will continue to focus on getting the right degree of suppleness if the horse is not loose enough, before the movements are being practiced.

Cesar is very good at teaching his students the flying changes. He uses a system of trial and error. He lets them do hundreds of changes in order for them to get the feeling and rhythm of the change. Even if it is a bad one, there is no problem. The next one will be better.

It is important that the student doesn't get overcooked from learning so much new techniques and feelings. Cesar has a very calming voice and when he gets frustrated, he will grunt a bit and be very strict towards the student, but he relaxes right away when the exercise has been accomplished. I've never seen Cesar get really angry with his students or horses. Every ride ends in friendship and peace.

Parra strives for simplicity and happiness in riding. "When I'm riding, my goal is that it has to be easy," Cesar said. "The horse must be happy and he must love doing his work. A horse has to feel good and be through in the mouth."

Parra is excellent at working with amateurs and making them accomplish a dream, riding at FEI level. His barn system is all inclusive. You pay a monthly fee which includes boarding, lessons and training. If you are ill or can't make it to the barn, your horse will be trained. "All of my horses do the one tempi's, so that an amateur can ride them, and not only a professional. The professional will only add more elegance and presence to the horse."

Text and Images copyrighted Astrid Appels/Eurodressage.com. No Reproduction Allowed

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