Para Dressage

Para-dressage athletes are classified into Grades based on functional ability in areas such as muscle power, joint range and coordination. This allows for fair competition judged on skill and not level of impairment.

The Grades for para-dressage are classified as follows as per the FEI:

• Grade I – Athletes in Grade I have severe Impairments affecting all limbs and trunk. The Athlete usually requires the use of a wheelchair. They may be able to walk with an unsteady gait. Trunk and balance are severely impaired.
• Grade II – Athletes in Grade II have either a severe Impairment of the trunk and minimal Impairment of the upper limbs or moderate Impairment of the trunk, upper and lower limbs. Most Athletes in this Grade use a wheelchair in daily life.
• Grade III – Athletes in Grade III have severe Impairments in both lower limbs with minimal or no Impairment of the trunk or moderate Impairment of the upper and lower limbs and trunk. Some Athletes in this Grade may use a wheelchair in daily life.
• Grade IV – Athletes in Grade IV have a severe Impairment or deficiency of both upper limbs or a moderate Impairment of all four limbs or short stature. Athletes in Grade IV are able to walk and generally do not require a wheelchair in daily life. Grade IV also includes Athletes having a visual Impairment equivalent to B1 with very low visual acuity and/or no light perception.
• Grade V – Athletes in Grade V have a mild Impairment of movement or muscle strength or a deficiency of one limb or mild deficiency of two limbs. Grade V also includes Athletes with visual Impairment equivalent to B2 with a higher visual acuity than visually impaired Athletes competing in Grade IV and/or a visual field of less than 5 degrees radius.

Compensating (adaptive) aids can be used by athletes to compensate for physical or sensory limitation resulting from their impairment, thereby enabling them to ride a horse safely. A compensating aid is not to be used to compensate for lack of riding skill or to enhance the horse’s performance, which would be considered a training aid. The well-being of the horse is paramount in considering the use of any compensating aid.

Please reference the FEI Para Dressage Compensating Aids List and the FEI Classifiers Manual to find out what compensating aids are allowed per classification grade.

Request Form for Non-Standard Compensating Aids for EC Para- Dressage Competitions

Athletes with a physical or sensory impairment who use compensating aids and compete at EC sanctioned competitions must be listed on an EC master list that identifies which compensating aids are permitted in competition. These lists include the EC Dressage/Para-Dressage Dispensation Master List (Bronze competitions) and the EC Para-Dressage Classification Master List (Silver/Gold competitions).

It is the responsibility of each competitor and coach to ensure all compensating aids used in competition have been documented correctly on the appropriate list. EC will be responsible for maintaining the two lists to include up-to-date and strictly relevant details. The lists will be updated monthly or as required.

• EC Dressage/Para-Dressage Dispensation Information & Application
• Para-Dressage Classification Procedures
• Equestrian Canada Para-Dressage Athlete Classification Masterlist