Every Monday night I spend four hours working with riders with mental and physical disabilities. I see firsthand the exceptional relationship they have with their horses, as both horses and riders develop their wings, so-to-speak. The riders can communicate with their horses, sometimes in ways they can’t with other people. And the horses are attuned to their every need, providing not only physical stimulation but extra special protection and love.

My experience with therapeutic riding lessons made it all the more exciting when I discovered a while ago that para equestrian was an international sport! Riders with disabilities  not only compete locally and nationally, but they are included in the Paralympics and the upcoming World Equestrian Games.

Here’s the rundown:

Para Equestrian History

Para Equestrian has been developing as an international sport over the last 25 years, with events held in both dressage and driving. The first dressage competitions for disabled riders were held in Great Britain and Scandinavia in the 1970s. 1987, the first world championships were held in sweden.

Para equestrian was first recognized by the International Paralympic Committee in 1991 and run by the International Paralympic Equestrian Committee before coming under the governship of the FEI (International Equestrian Federation) in 2006. Para Equestrian then joined jumping, eventing, dressage, driving, vaulting, endurance, and reining to become the 8th FEI discipline.

The first Para-Equestrian World Driving Championships was held under the governance of the FEI in 2006, as well as the first ever Combined FEI Dressage and Para Dressage competition in Moorsele, Belgium. Para Dressage has been included in the Paralympics since 1996, and will be in the World Equestrian Games for the first time in 2010.

Para Dressage Riders & Classification

Riders who qualify to compete in Para Dressage must have a measurable physical or visual impairment. They are rated according to their disability profile and classification, receiving a “Grade,” and then are judged against other riders who have been given the same Grade. The Grades are Ia, Ib, II, II, IV with Ia being the most seriously impaired and Grade IV the least. The athlete’s condition can be caused by illness or accident, and common conditions include multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, amputation, paralysis and blindness.

Riders with similar levels of impairment compete against one another. The competition within each Grade is then judged on the skill of that rider on the horse regardless of the rider’s impairment. Due to the lack of change in most disabilities, riders tend to stay in the same grade throughout their riding career, although on occasion athlete’s conditions can improve or deteriorate, thus their grade changes.

Riders who are physically impaired are allowed to carry or wear formally documented and approved compensating aids to compete, while riders who are visually impaired or blind can make use of authorized audio aids.

Rider Classification

Riders who compete in para dressage are classified by their physical disability, not their riding skill. Here’s how classification works according to the FEI:

The competitor’s mobility, strength and coordination are assessed in order to establish their Profile. People with Profiles of similar functional ability level are grouped into four competition Grades. The competition test for each Grade is compatible with the functional ability of people with the same potential.

All equestrian competitors should be classified within six to twelve months before competing. Once a rider’s Profile and Grade are assigned, no change may be made to their classification unless there are significant changes in their impairment.

Visit the FEI site for details on para equestrian classification and grades or download this PDF of the para-eq-classification-manual.

Para Dressage Tests

Para dressage riders are classified into groups Grades 1-4, with 1 being the most disabled (typically wheelchair-bound, and 4 being the least). Test for Grades 1-2 are walk and trot only, though Grade 2 riders may canter a 2-meter circle in their freestyle. Grade 3 is walk, trot, canter and may perform shoulder in, half pass, and one flying change during the freestyle. Grade 4 can go as high as using Prix St. George movements.

Para Dressage at the 2010 World Equestrian Games

Para Dressage is included for the first time in the World Equestrian Games coming up in Lexington, Kentucky in 2010.

Qualifications for the World Equestrian Games Para Dressage vary by country, but the FEI requires that rider must receive a score of 60% or better at one three star competition. Beyond that, countries have their own qualification rules by which riders are short-listed and then chosen for the team by a selection committee.

Riders competing at the World Equestrian Games have the opportunity to earn individual and team medals. Riders who compete on national teams and as individuals will ride three total tests, while those who are competing individually ride in two. There is a team test round, an individual test round, and a freestyle round.

If the teams at WEG are organized like the teams for the 2008 Paralymics in Hong Kong, they will consist of 3-4 members, one of which must be a Grade 1 or 2.

Each grade has it’s own set of individual placings and medals. Team scores are combined.

2010 WEG Para Dressage Competition Schedule

Tue, Oct 5, 2010:  Individual Team Tests
Wed, Oct 6, 2010: Individual Championship Tests
Thu, Oct 7, 2010: Individual Championship Tests
Fri, Oct 8, 2010: Individual Freestyle Tests

All tests will be held in the covered arena.

Additonal Resources

• FEI Para Equestrian
• United States Equestrian Para Equestrian
• World Equestrian Games Para Equestrian News
• World Equestrian Games Coverage On Regarding Horses