The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are approaching, and many sports are sparking public interest, including Paralympic equestrianism. Unlike the Olympic Games, which feature three equestrian disciplines, the Paralympic program focuses exclusively on dressage. This sport is based on a deep connection between the rider and the horse. Riders are evaluated on the precision and quality of their riding, the horse’s behavior during the gaits and stops, as well as the artistic finesse of their performance. The first Paralympic dressage competitions emerged in the 1970s, initially as a therapeutic method and recreational activity, but it was officially integrated into the Paralympic program at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
The Paralympic dressage competition program consists of several tests. These include the individual championship test, the team test with music, and the individual freestyle test. In the freestyle test, riders have the freedom to choose their own routine and music, provided they include a certain number of required movements. Riders may use adapted equipment according to their needs, such as modified saddles and special straps, to help them compete effectively.
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In the Paralympic Games, dressage is divided into five grades, as stipulated by the International Equestrian Federation, based on the type and degree of athletes’ disabilities. The grades range from I, for severe disabilities affecting all limbs and the trunk, to V, for visual or mild mobility disabilities. Grades I to III compete in a smaller arena (20m x 40m), while grades IV and V use a larger arena (20m x 60m). Each competition includes individual and team tests, and is conducted according to the rider’s grade, adjusting the difficulty of the movements.
Since the Athens 2004 Games, athletes have begun riding their own horses, whereas previously many used borrowed horses. Judges evaluate only the movement of the horse, based on criteria such as rhythm, flexibility, and impulsion, and score each required movement out of 10 during tests lasting between four and five minutes. Horses in grades I to III may be accompanied by a “companion horse” to help them stay calm.
For Paris 2024, the venue for Paralympic equestrianism will be the Palace of Versailles. This iconic location in the French capital, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, will host the dressage events from September 3 to 7 as part of the Paralympic Games.
