SportsEquestrian
What does the sport involve?
There are individual and team dressage events. Dressage involves riders putting their horse through a range of set movements involving changes of pace and direction. Top GB rider Lee Pearson has described dressage as ‘figure skating’ of the equestrian world.
Each rider has to memorise and perform two separate routines. The first routine is a set Championship test with all riders completing a set routine. The second routine is Freestyle and set to music and each rider has the freedom to put together their own routine, although certain set dressage moves (elements) must be included.
The dressage arena in which horses and riders perform their routines measures either 40 metres x 20 metres or 60 metres x 20 metres, depending on the designated grade (classification) of the rider. Visually impaired riders are allowed to use callers stationed around the arena to orientate themselves during dressage routines.
In the team event, each team consists of either 3 or 4 riders, one of whom must from grades 1 or 2 and the team’s final score is based on the best 3 performances of the team members in the Championship Test and the Team Test.
Who can compete?
Open to : Men and women with a physical disability or visual impairment. Riders are grouped into 4 grades (classifications) according to their disability. Visually impaired riders compete alongside riders with a physical disability in grades 3 and 4
Where do I start if I want to try this sport?
The national body responsible for organisation of this sport is:
British Dressage Ltd, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CW8 2RJ
contact: Sarah Murphy at British Dressage tel: 02476 698837
British Dressage started an annual ‘talent spotting’ competition in 2004
Other contacts: Riding for the Disabled – RDA National Office, Norfolk House, 1A Tournament Court, Edgehill Drive, Warwick CV34 6LG
tel: 0845 658 1082
Did you know?
First included as a paralympic sport in Atlanta 1996. In Atlanta !996 and Sydney 2000 riders had to compete on ‘borrowed’ horses. It was not until Atlanta 2004 that they were allowed to compete using their own horses.
Para-equestrian sport is GBs most successful equestrian sport
Would I like this sport and what are the benefits?
Horses are wonderful, intelligent, sensitive and make great companions. They all have their individual characters and can be unpredictable. Equestrian sport is unique in that performance is dependent on the cooperation and combined efforts of horse and rider. Riders not only require the skill to control and communicate subtle physical signals (aids) to the horse to ask them to perform precise and complex manoeuvres, for the horse and rider to perform in harmony there also has to be a high level of empathy and understanding between them.
You need Flash 8 to view the clip. If you cannot see the video clip above, you may download the plug-in by clicking here.
© BP 2012
