Welcome to Piaffe-Performance

TESTIMONIALS

Alexandra Gatzweiler, Germany

My stay at Piaffe Performance Farms as a trainee in the Florida Season 2011/2012 was a great experience for me. I got the opportunity to work as a part of the Piaffe Performance Team and experience the culture of the group.
I am very impressed by the beautiful facilities, the care that every horse receives and the way in which Dr. Parra is constantly on the lookout for new challenges, which he masters with absolute precision and professionalism. At the same time he is fully aware of the importance of a supportive team of experts that works hand in hand in order to reach goals corporately.
During my stay I learned that passion, patience, and positivity are the basic principles for considerable success. Back in Germany I can apply these valuable principles to my everyday training with my own horse.
I am deeply grateful that Dr. Parra gave me the opportunity to gain these experiences!
Thanks a lot, Alexandra Gatzweiler, Germany

Kyle Hickok, father of Chase Hickok

"I first met Cesar two years ago when my daughter, Chase, cliniced with him in North Carolina. After a great experience in the clinic, Chase approached him about possibly purchasing a horse to help her achieve her goal of competing in the FEI Young Riders. Cesar graciously invited her up to his farm in New Jersey, and eventually found the perfect horse for Chase.
Today, two years since Chase started working with Cesar fulltime, she has achieved some remarkable, life-defining milestones. Not only did she achieve her initial goal, to qualify to ride at the North American Young Rider Championships the last two years, this year she went home with a Freestyle Silver and Individual Bronze medals. Additionally, she was invited to ride at the Collecting Gaits National Dressage Championships at Gladstone, NJ, finishing in fourth in the Nation both years.
Cesar, Katie, Kevin, Jen, and the entire team at Piaffe Performance Farms deserve much of the credit for her successes. Their attention to every detail of developing her as a rider was matched by their attention to developing her as a person. Everytime I visit, I am amazed by the professionalism, dedication and genuine kindness of each of the team members. The confidence, maturity, and life lessons Chase has learned from Cesar and this experience will be with her for the rest of her life. From one father to another, it is with a great deal of gratitude and respect that I thank Cesar for his investment in my daughter.

David Schrager

When my daughter Krista unexpectedly lost her horse" MAX", I didn't know where to turn to replace him. Our trainer took ill, and we were lost. We attended a clinic at Performance Farm with Hubertus Schmidt previously. We were very impressed with the barn and the quality of the horses and impressed with the Performance Farm riders.
I decided to take a shot and call Cesar. Thank goodness I did. Cesar was very understanding of our situation and invited us to come to the barn. When we arrived at the barn, I was very impressed with the professional atmosphere and attentiveness we were given by Katie, Cesar and the entire staff. We were shown several hoses that Krista rode. She fell in love with Kamelot, a Russian Warmblood. We came back 3 more times and each time we were not rushed and all our questions were answered.
After we purchased Kamelot, Cesar offered Krista to stay and train for the summer. Not only did she stay the summer but when I came to visit there was a notable difference in her riding and by the end of the summer she showed and won her first of many shows with Kamelot in third level and was the Res. Regional Champion for region 8 in their first year together.
Krista and Kamelot have been training with Performance Farm for the past two years. Krista is now competing in the FEI Young Rider division and is starting to realize her dreams with Kamelot.
I can't thank Cesar, Katie and the entire Performance Farm team enough. Their help in selecting a great horse, but more importantly to me, world-class training in a positive, professional and fun environment in which my daughter is thriving is priceless.
I'm really looking forward to see what the future brings.

Sharon White

"Cesar gave me the chance of a lifetime that was above and beyond expectation. As a professional event rider I sit on up to ten horses a day but I don't normally have the opportunity to learn the subtleties of upper level dressage. Cesar gave me that chance and I will never forget it. He was incredibly generous with his time and his passion for horses and love of dressage was infectious. He made the learning fun, his staff was incredibly knowledgeable and helpful, and I learned some valuable tools that I will use the rest of my life. Thanks Cesar!"

Jackie Taylor

Thank you Dr. Cesar Parra for coming to Red Deer to share your knowledge of dressage with us. I must say I enjoyed your humor very much and it helped me to understand what my instructor has been trying to get across to me for the last six months. FINALLY I understand how to get forward. I went home and tried exactly what you were instructing the students in your clinics to do. I had forward immediately with "leg off". I have had a hard time keeping my mare going forward in the canter applying the outside rein and today we accomplished this feat with ease. I hope to see you again in Red Deer in the future.

Marie Pettersson & Josh Odrich

Zimmy is all we could have wished for and more, we are in love!!!
Thank you Cesar!

France Michaud

I will like to take this opportunity to thank you and your wonderful staff for a great week-end at your training center. It was very inspiring and motivating. I received a warm greating from all of your staff, even the boarders. It was such a joy to watch them train all of the very talented horses at Performance Farms. I was overwhelmed by the tender love and care that every horses received. Your installations are impeccable and I can not describe what it felt to ride such a generous horse in that kind of footing. WOW!

Kevin Kohmann

“The opportunities and experiences I have had since coming to Performance Farms four years ago have been invaluable to my growth and expansion as a rider. I have been fortunate enough to clinic with world-renowned trainers, shown horses in the upper levels, learned English, and got hands on experience in how to conduct a successful equestrian business. My time here has marked some of the most influential years of my life.”

Jessica Miller

“Since coming to Performance Farm two years ago, I have learned countless lessons, both in and out of the arena. My experiences here have taught me more about horse care, classical training methods and how to work in a team environment. I am forever appreciative of the opportunities Dr. Parra has given me and will cherish this experience forever.”

Chase Hickok

“In the eight months since coming to Performance Farms, I can honestly say that my life has changed entirely. I have grown immensely as both a rider and human being, and attribute all of it to the education I have received here. From day one, Cesar explained that riding is only 50% of the job – the rest of it is what happens behind the scenes. Although I was at first skeptical, I have to say that he is absolutely right. And what I have seen here behind the scenes is an outstanding team of riders, grooms, clients and working students that have created a fun and motivational, yet professional environment. In this community, all riders are able to flourish, horses receive top of the line care and there is a genuine sense of camaraderie and support. Only four months after beginning my Dressage training, I was placing consistently in the Young Rider divisions, a feat which I contribute wholly to the knowledge, enthusiasm and experience that Dr. Parra brings to his training everyday.”

Diana Rey

I have ridden horses in several places of the world including Germany and Holland; after all of that I must said, riding Cesar's horses is the best. His horses are so well trained, it is really fun.

Diana Rey, Several times medalist in International championships representing Colombia.

Sarah

Dear Cesar! Thank you so much for finding a horse for me!!!! I love her already!

2009 was a wonderful year - so full of blessings! I am looking forward to many more wonderful times with the horses and our friends in 2010.

Much love!

Sue Belanger

The descision to move my horse to Performance Farm to train with Cesar and his team is one of the best I have ever made. Not only has he taught to ride in the german classical way. His constant positive support has made me believe in myself, and ability as a rider. For that I am truly grateful. I can't imagine working with anyone else. They're the best!

Sue Belanger, Massachusetts

Chimney Hill Clinic

Thank you so very much for another wonderful opportunity to learn (and to laugh) in the company of great horses and friends. I always come away from your clinics having learned so much. We are very fortunate to have you visit Chimney Hill as often as you do.

I had the BEST RIDE EVER today!! Did as you suggested and switched the extra rein to my hand and it worked much better. And I really pushed him forward. So thanks again!

Thank you so much for yet another super clinic. I was not at my best this week and I appreciate your tolerance and understanding! I am looking forward to many more clinics!!

Great article and pictures on Dressage Daily website!

Mardee

Debbie Purvins

I didn’t get a chance to thank you after my ride on Stanley yesterday. You really helped me understand ‘contact’ and hopefully the next time you see us we will be straight and through as well. Stanley and I have steadily been improving under Michele’s watchful eye but we were never able to get him to stretch over the back at the canter until yesterday. I really think that this is instrumental to our progress and I’m very thankful for your help.

Again many thanks, Debbie Purvin

Deetje Müntinga

At the beginnning of the year 2009 I started my traineeship at Piaffe Performance Farms during the Florida season.
The first days were very stressful and impressive at the same time. The team works perfectly hand in hand, but after a few days I found my place in the team and I felt very cordially received. It was a great experience for me to ride such welltrained horses, so now back in Germany I can use a
lot of things I learned in the US for teaching my own two mares. It was everytime a pleasure to ride with Kevin and Anna and to get some help from them when Cesar was not there.
My impressions of Cesar were that he is a very selfdisciplined and structured man. He has the ability to pull all the strings and I admire what he has reached in his entire life. One of the sentences I will never forget is "It's not all about riding", it is all about the things that happen in
the background like an efficient team, good preparation for the shows and and and.
Even when it was a lot of work we had so much fun day by day, especially on the big shows, because with good friends time is passing by so fast.
I am still glad that Cesar gave me the chance to joyn such a great team like
the team of Piaff Performance Farms.

Deetje Müntinga
Germany

Jan Williams

I started training with Cesar Parra about 7 years ago, when my horse Conchita was at 3rd level. Cesar was outstanding in developing the full potential for my horse and I for competitive dressage. Now, at Grand Prix, my horse is completely solid and reliable in the arena and competitive in the CDI arena. Cesar deserves a great deal of credit for our success as he pushes the horse and rider out of their comfort zone to create the competitive horse and rider team.
Jan Williams

Janet Williams, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology

Picture by: Sue Stickle

Emmy Sobieski (Adwers)

This past weekend, Ali Baba, now 19, helped YET ANOTHER rider earn their USDF Gold Medal. Allison Harding rode her first Grand Prix on Ali Baba for a 63.75%, second place and this score earned Allison her Gold Medal. She had ridden 3 Grand Prix tests before on another horse, so she is still quite green at Grand Prix. I rode a Grand Prix on Ali Baba the day before, to be sure he was going to be good for Allison, and he won his class with a 66%!

This positive experience inspired me to reflect on all that Ali Baba has done for me over the years. I wanted to share my thanks and appreciation as you found him for me and trained me on him. I do not take lessons on him today, rather I just go by what I learned when I was at your barn.

When we went to Germany in search of a Grand Prix schoolmaster, I had never ridden above Prix St. Georges. I remember trying Ali Baba. He was the first horse I tried. I was flailing around attempting various aids and Ali Baba was guessing what I wanted and doing perfect movements. I got off and told you this was the horse I wanted. You told me that we had many more to try. I told you I wanted to reserve this horse. You did that for me, which was great, because someone else tried to buy him the next day, but the sellers stayed true to their word and held him for me. No other horse would do, even after trying so many other fabulous Grand Prix horses, and you arranged a flawless purchase for a great price.

... Three weeks after he came to the US, Ali Baba placed 3rd with me in an Intermediare 1 at the January 2002 Wellington Dressage show, behind you (Cesar) and Michele Gibson! That was him showing me the ropes in my first Intermediare 1. Ali Baba and I went on to win the Region 1 championships at PSG and Intermediare 1 for Adult Amateurs for 2002. He also took me through my first Intermediare 2, my first Grand Prix, my first Grand Prix Special and my first Grand Prix Freestyle.... I went in my first horse show and earned my USDF Gold Medal on Ali Baba in our first two tests. In our first season of Grand Prix, in 2003, he won the Dressage at Devon high score Adult Amateur at Grand Prix, the USDF Adult Amateur National Grand Prix champion, and the Region 1 USDF OPEN Grand Prix Championships. In 2004, he again won the Dressage at Devon high score Adult Amateur at Grand Prix, and also won the Adashi Florida Season Adult Amateur Grand Prix championship for 2004 and 2005, and was 2004 Reserve Champion USDF Adult Amateur National Grand Prix champion behind my other horse PF Robinson, whom you trained and sold me. He won many other awards...

His favorite snack are rice crispy treats, and he still HATES having days off.

He is truly, in every way, my horse of a lifetime. I thank you both from the bottom of my heart for finding this horse and for training him and me to be a team together.

Love,
Emmy Sobieski (Adwers

Emily Wagner

Having spent two years as a part of the Performance Farm Team, I can only say I would never rewrite this chapter of my life! Dr. Parra is obviously a skilled instructor, trainer and rider; however, his amazing and invaluable skill to teach riders to carry instruction from ride to ride, horse to horse is rare. His teachings carry into the future of all his student's riding. Not only is Dr. Parra an asset to any rider's education, but his staff is amazing as well. Each of his riders are fantastic and bring their own strengths to the team. Riding among such talent kept me inspired and motivated each and every day and still does!

Jane McKean

There are two important elements to training that I have learned to be true during our 5 years at Performance Farm - patience and commitment to the training method. My daughter's riding, and Stravinsky's training, developed by leaps, followed by plateaus - and it was the patience and commitment to Cesar and his training method during the plateaus that made the difference. There is no instant gratification in training either horse or rider - just a long, slow process which is breathtaking to watch unfold!
Our daughter has had fun in the process and has brought several medals home from championships.

Julie McKean

"One of the most rewarding aspects of training with Dr. Parra is that his teachings go beyond the dressage arena. Under his instruction I have not only developed a more independent seat, but have gained a deeper understanding of classical training principles, as well as key aspects of horse management. I especially value the upbeat atmosphere, in addition to the great deal of inspiration and support that comes from Dr. Parra and the Performance Farm team"

Michael Shondel

Cesar and his team at Performance Farm have played a huge role in my development as a rider. The training is top notch, as are the facilities and the care of the horses. The atmosphere at the barn is very inspirational yet it remains a fun place to learn with a great group of people."

Sharon Brandes Myers

After many years in the sport, I didn't know I could make so much progress until I met Dr. Parra. The past 7 years of training with him have been fun and exciting and an unbelievable learning experience. Additionally, I've purchased four horses from him; they've been exactly as he represented them and have even exceeded my expectations. His staff and facilities are also worth mentioning: they're second to none! But his honesty, integrity and his friendship are what put him in a class by himself and are why I couldn't imagine going forward without him.