Paralympic equestrian sports, officially known as para-dressage, are part of the Paralympic Games but are not very well known. While riders like Charlotte Fry and Justin Verboomen are famous in the world of regular dressage, there are many top para-dressage athletes around the world! One example is the Dutch rider Sanne Voets, together with her horse Demantur. In this blog, we will take a closer look at para-dressage! Enjoy reading!

What is para-dressage?

Para-dressage is all about the cooperation between the rider and the horse. The horses that participate in para-dressage are carefully selected and trained. They must not only be physically strong, but also able to understand their riders' instructions. It is also important that there is a strong bond between the athlete and the horse. The sport is divided into different classes based on the type and severity of the riders' disabilities. The system works as follows: There are 5 different grades, I, II, III, IV and V. Grade I includes athletes with the most severe disabilities or limitations, while athletes in grade V have mild limitations, which are sometimes barely visible to an outsider. This system ensures fair competition. The competitions consist of a series of prescribed movements that are judged on precision and harmony.

Sanne Voets (NED) - Demantur RS2 ECCO FEI World Championships - Herning - Denmark 2022 © DigiShots
Source: DigiShots

Riding competitions?

There are special rules in para-dressage. If necessary due to an athlete's disability, riders may use special equipment to guide the horse. There are various competitions, both individual and team events. Some competitions consist of compulsory elements, while others involve a freestyle performance on music. Competitions are held in dressage only. In team competitions, a team consists of three or four riders. At least one of them must have grade I or II. The final score of the team, for example, a national team at the Paralympic Games, consists of the results of the best three team members during the team competition added to the best three individual scores from the individual competition.

Paralympic Games

Para-dressage is not just about the sport itself; athletes also believe it is important that the sport contributes to changing perceptions of disability. The sport shows that athletes with disabilities have the same determination and skills as their non-disabled counterparts. With each Paralympic Games, para-dressage becomes more widely known. It will definitely be worth watching at the Paralympic Games in August 2028!

What did you think of this blog, and were you already familiar with para-dressage?