Dr. Cesar Parra explaining to Sharon Myers on Karlos
Dr. Cesar Parra’s dressage clinic was held on 10th and 11th June, at Chimney Hill Farm, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, owned and run by David and Sharon Myers. It was very well attended both by riders and auditors.
During the two days Dr. Parra gave forty-five minute training sessions to riders on their own horses while auditors watched and learned too. Dr. Parra explained his methods both to the riders and the audience. Participants on horseback and on the ground were encouraged to ask questions.
Although a top level dressage master, he trains riders and horses of all ages and levels. He brings new insights for experienced riders as well as great advice for those starting out.
Dr. Parra’s methods are firmly based on the German Dressage Training Scale, (see my next article) which he has used very successfully on his own and clients’ horses. His amazing triumphs in the national and international dressage arenas are a testament to this.
All riders began by riding their horses long and low in walk, to stretch the horses’ backs and achieve relaxation and rhythm in their gait. As most of us tend to ‘doodle’ during this phase, Dr. Parra made it clear that the horse must be encouraged to move forward into a light rein contact right from the beginning. Otherwise our mounts will not use themselves and benefit from the stretching exercise.
When the horses were supple at the walk, the trot work began. The horses were still lowering their necks and going forward into a light contact at this point. Transitions back and forth between trot and walk helped loosen them further, producing an even contact on both reins.
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Florence arrives with Katie
Dr. Parra explained how vital it is to achieve the three first steps of the Training Scale, being rhythm, relaxation and contact before going on to the next phase. The horse must be balanced, relaxed and accepting of the rider’s hands in order to perform what is required of him with ease.
After a walk break, the horses were asked to trot with their poll up more (the point just behind his ears) but not too high at this stage. Riders were taught how to achieve greater impulsion and have their horses listen to the aids (primarily the legs, seat and hands).
After another walk break, the canter work began. Another walk break proceeded work with the horse’s poll as the highest point. The more advanced horses then showed us how to perform trot and canter half-passes, with Dr. Parra giving hints on how to fix badly executed movements. There followed canter pirouettes, piaffes (trotting in place) and passage (very slow trot, hardly advancing at all) from the really advanced horses.
In the evening Dr. Parra explained the huge difference in the type of horse required for Grand Prix (the highest level of dressage) as opposed to the kind of horse a ‘regular’ dressage rider would need. He looks for a ‘hot’ horse which moves well and needs no whip or spurs to encourage him. Such a horse would be too much for most of us!
The highlight of the clinic was watching Dr. Parra ride his new Grand Prix prospect, a beautiful bay named Florence. The 6 year old mare looked at all of us with big soft eyes and long ears pricked as she entered the indoor school, before showing us just why Dr. Parra is so excited about her.
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Florence in action!
He made the ride look effortless as he talked us through each phase, applying the principles he had taught throughout the day and showing how they work if done properly. Florence responded to Dr. Parra’s almost invisible aids, becoming relaxed and supple in no time. She then went on to exhibit the most wonderfully expressive trot and canter work, using her back and thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to show off to a crowd.
The demonstration gave us all something to aim for as dressage riders. It also made us eager to watch Florence’s progress during the coming years, as she becomes a force to reckon with on the national and international dressage circuit.
This is a clinic every dressage rider should try and attend when Dr. Cesar Parra next comes to Chimney Hill Farm. I shall give you the dates when they are confirmed.
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