Unlike the Olympic Games, which features three equestrian disciplines, the Paralympic programme only includes dressage. Para dressage is a sport in which rider and horse become one. Riders are judged on the accuracy and quality of their riding, their horse’s behaviour in gaits and halts, artistic finesse, and other aspects of their performance.
Para dressage was originally a means of therapy (with participants benefiting from interacting with horses) – and a leisure activity. The first competitions were held in the 1970s. However, it was not until the Atlanta 1996 Games that dressage was added to the Paralympic programme. All events are mixed, with all riders competing together across the five classes.
Brief overview of the rules
The para dressage competition programme includes the individual championship test, the team test set to music (in which riders perform a set routine) and the individual freestyle test (which is unique to each rider, as they choose their own routine and music). Individual freestyle is open to the top eight athletes from each class based on the results of the individual test.
Depending on their needs, riders can use special equipment like modified saddles, straps, and spurs.
Grade I: athletes have severe impairments affecting all limbs and the trunk.
Grade II: athletes have either a severe impairment of the trunk and minimal impairment of the arms or moderate impairment of the trunk, arms, and legs.
Grade III: athletes have severe impairments in both legs with minimal or no impairment of the trunk or moderate impairment of the arms and legs and trunk.
Grade IV: athletes have a severe impairment or deficiency of both arms or a moderate impairment of all four limbs or short stature.
Grade V: athletes have vision impairment, complete blindness, a mildly impaired range of movement or muscle strength, or a deficiency of one limb or mild deficiency of two limbs.
