2006 Dressage at Devon

Dr. Cesar Parra Captures the Hearts of the Devon Crowds

September 30, 2006

The evening was very chilly, but the winning ride of Dr. Cesar Parra and Horses Unlimited's Galant du Serein was hot, hot, hot. During the Devon freestyle night on Saturday evening at 2006 Dressage at Devon, Colombian Cesar Parra had his massive bay licensed stallion together, on the job and sharp to the aids as never before.

Parra earned a score of 71.100% from the international panel of judges. Riding to Latin American music (Shakira songs), Parra stayed fault free throughout his ride and kept the same level of impulsion in all the movements. There was room for improvement in the pirouettes and there was some loss of balance in the canter half passes, but overall the test was the best one of the Devon freestyle night.

"It took me seven years to win the Grand Prix freestyle at Devon," Parra told Horsesdaily. " I have been in America seven years and competed at Devon five times; the first time with Adonis and then I had two good years with Pik L. And now finally with Galant. I think seven is my lucky number."

Parra confessed that his huge Selle Francais stallion is not an easy ride. " I have gone up and down with him. Galant is a very special horse, a very good Grand Prix horse but I have some difficulties riding him, size wise. He can do the test but I have to find the right tempo and get it done."

Though Hubertus Schmidt is Parra's steady trainer, he is recently getting additional training and guidance from international judge Volker Moritz. "He is my mentor. Hubertus also has his own agenda and it is difficult to work alone at a big show. You need someone to tell you faster, lower, higher, slower."

Just like Anky van Grunsven at the World Equestrian Games, Parra chose not to ride a victory gallop with his horse and run the lap himself. "You have to take care of the legs. Galant can get very silly and I don't want any injuries."

Parra, who was a dentist by profession before he decided to devote his life to horses, thanked his sponsor Anne Whitten of Horses Unlimited for her confidence, trust and perpetual support. "Without her, I would still be doing dentistry. Now I'm living a dream."

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