Dr. Cesar Parra and Barbara “Bebe” Davis. (Photo courtesy of Piaffe-Performance)
Whitehouse Station, NJ (August 16, 2013) – Cesar Parra counted 13 as his lucky number during the 2013 Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships, presented this year by Gotham North, July 17-21, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. With the success of Junior Bebe Davis in 2013, Parra has now coached riders to 13 top finishes at the NAJYRC, the premier equestrian competition for riders ages 14 to 21.
Junior Freestyle Bronze medalist, Bebe Davis, has ridden with Parra in the FEI pony divisions, and made the move to the Junior division earlier this season in Florida. “Having the honor of competing at the NAJYRC was truly an incredible experience. The opportunity alone was amazing, but the fact that I came home with all Top Ten finishes and a Bronze Medal in the Freestyle makes it even more memorable,” Davis, 15, said. “I could not be more grateful to my trainers, Cesar Parra and Kathleen Riley, as well as Krista Schrager for all of her help and support. I also thank my sponsors Cavalleria Toscana and Kep Italia Helmets who kept me looking my best and, of course, all of this would not be possible without the love and support of my parents, Michael and Sarah Davis.”
The other past Piaffe Performance Juniors and Young Riders who have medaled over the years at NAJYRC include Nikki Levy (Team Bronze); Michael Shondel (2003 Team Gold, Silver individual test); Julie McKean (2006 Junior Team Gold, Individual Silver, Freestyle Gold; YR 2008, 2009); Dominique Cassavetis (2011 Junior Team Gold); Chase Hickok (2011 YR Freestyle Individual Silver, Bronze individual test); and Nicolas Torres (2012 Top finisher across all three division classes).
Bringing out the best in riders is the mark of a true teacher, whose lessons extend beyond the dressage ring: Respect, discipline and self-control are concepts that bring success in life. “I love teaching young riders; it is a great feeling to know that you can shape a young person’s life in a positive way,” says Parra. “I believe I am really at my best as a trainer when there is a definite goal, such as a medal. Then it is easy to make a plan to reach that goal. With the Junior and Young Rider Championships, the requirements are well-defined so it’s a matter of making a specific plan for that horse and rider.”
Competing as a Junior or Young Rider, Parra notes, “is about the journey. Congratulations and thank you to Bebe for riding so well at these past Championships, to her parents for their trust, and to our whole Piaffe Performance team for working so hard at home.
“It is the team that has made it possible for me to coach so successfully at the North American Junior Young Rider Championships,” said Parra. “The whole team helps with the preparation of the horse and rider, then they keep things running brilliantly at home when I am not there.”
Follow the progress of Piaffe Performance’s rising stars and meet more of its sale and dressage prospects at www.piaffe-performance.com.
For more information contact:
Dr. Cesar Parra
drcesarparra@msn.com
www.piaffe-performance.com
410-977-8352