Para Equestrian
Para equestrian dressage is the only equestrian discipline included in the Paralympic Games program and it is conducted under the same basic rules as able-bodied dressage. Para equestrian is a mixed gender sport and is open to athletes with physical and vision impairments.
The six following impairment groups are eligible for Para equestrian.
Coordination Impairments
Athletes with a Coordination Impairment have one or more of the following three movement disorders that adversely affects the ability to voluntarily produce a full range of skilled movement fluidly, rapidly, and accurately:
- Hypertonia/Spasticity: an increase in muscle tension that may be velocity-dependent and/or a reduced ability of a muscle to stretch.
- Motor Ataxia: limited precision in direction and velocity of voluntary movement.
- Dyskinesia (Athetosis, Dystonia, Chorea): involuntary movements that interfere with voluntary movements.
Examples of Underlying Health Conditions that can lead to coordination impairments include Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke, and Multiple Sclerosis.
Impaired Muscle Power
Athletes with Impaired Muscle Power have a reduced (or no) ability to contract their muscles to generate force that is consistent with an Underlying Health Condition affecting the structure and function of the central or peripheral nervous system or the muscles.
Examples of Underlying Health Conditions leading to impaired muscle power include: spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy, post-polio syndrome, and spina bifida.
Impaired Passive Range of Motion
Athletes with Impaired Passive Range of Movement have a reduced ability for a joint to be passively moved that is consistent with an Underlying Health Condition affecting a structure of bones, joints, connective tissue, or soft tissues.
Examples of Underlying Health Conditions leading to impaired passive range of motion include: arthrogryposis and contracture resulting from chronic joint immobilization or trauma affecting a joint.
Limb Deficiency and/or Leg Length Difference
Athletes with Limb Deficiency or Limb Length Difference have a total or partial absence of a limb or anatomically irregular limb dimensions that are consistent with an Underlying Health Condition resulting from trauma (traumatic amputation), illness (example: amputation due to bone cancer), or congenital causes affecting the bones and/or joints (example: dysmelia).
This impairment group can be further divided into the following sub-categories:
- Limb deficiency
- Leg length difference
Short Stature
Athletes with Short Stature have reduced total body length (including head, trunk, and legs) as a results of congenitally or developmentally reduced length of the bones of the upper and lower limbs (and may also have reduced trunk length).
Athletes will not be considered to have Short Stature if their reduced total body length is the result of Limb Deficiency or Limb Length Difference only.
Examples of an underlying health condition that can lead to Short Stature include achondroplasia, growth hormone dysfunction, and osteogenesis imperfecta.
Vision Impairment
Athletes with Vision Impairment have an Underlying Health Condition affecting the structure or function of the eye, optic nerve, optic chiasm, post chiasma visual pathways, or visual cortex of the brain resulting in reduced or no visual function even when using the best possible refractive or optical correction.
Examples of Underlying Health Conditions leading to vision impairments include retinitis pigmentosa and diabetic retinopathy.
Entering the Pathway
Athletes new to Para equestrian should start by learning the basics of dressage, horse care, and riding independently. The US Equestrian Federation offers a series of free introductory videos through their learning center about Getting Started with a horse and Para-Dressage.
Athletes should find a barn where they can learn the basics of dressage gaits, rhythm, relaxation, and connection.
If available in your area, athletes should look to join a Local Pony Club.
Competition Basics
Memberships are required for both the horse and rider to participate in US Equestrian Federation and US Dressage Federation licensed shows with Para dressage tests.
Other documents required for competition include:
- USEF membership for the rider and a membership with a local group member organization
- USEF dispensation/classification certificate which will be assigned during classification and confirms the athlete is eligible to utilize a competition aid (as applicable)
Horse Resources
USEF Horse Services, opens in a new tabFor many beginner riders, leasing a horse is much more cost efficient than owning one.
Leasing a horse will also allow beginner riders to find a horse that matches their skill set and will allow them to progress as their skill set progresses.
Visit the USEF website for more information on the different levels of leasing a horse and to learn more about the necessary documents and processes for horses for competition in USEF events.
Equipment
Along with a horse to compete with, riders will need at minimum the following FEI legal equipment to compete:
- Helmet
- Riding boots
- Breeches (close-fitting pants worn by riders)
- Approved adaptive equipment such as audible signals for athletes with vision impairments
The US Equestrian Federation offers national classification at multiple events throughout the year. See below for how to be classified in Para equestrian as well as the five difference classification grades.
Physical Impairments
USEF Classification Documents and Schedule, opens in a new tab- To request classification, an athlete must submit all necessary paperwork including the USEF Classification Request Form, Medical Diagnostic Form, and Consent Form at least six weeks prior to the desired classification event to the USEF Para Equestrian Director, Laureen Johnson, at lkjohnson@usef.org.
- The USEF Adaptive Sports Committee will assess if the athlete has an eligible underlying health condition and eligible impairment.
- If the athlete has an eligible underlying health condition and impairment, the athlete will be given an in-person evaluation at one of the national events offering national classification.
Visit the USEF website for all necessary documentation and to view the full list of classification opportunities.
Vision Impairments
USEF VI MDF, opens in a new tabNational classification for a vision impairment is completed through the submission and evaluation of paperwork.
- Athletes will need to request classification for a vision impairment by submitting the USEF Vision Impairment Medical Diagnostic Form to the USEF Para Equestrian Director, Laureen Johnson, at lkjohnson@usef.org.
- If the athlete has an eligible underlying health condition, the athlete's documents will then be evaluated by a USEF U.S. international classifier and a USOPC VI classifier.
- If the athlete meets the minimum impairment criteria as set by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the outcome will be communicated to the athlete.
Athletes classified for vision impairments are permitted to use aids during competition.
There are five grades in Para dressage where Grade I includes the most severe impairments, and Grade V includes the least severe impairments. Grades are given solely based upon the athlete's impairment type and not based on their skill level.
Grades I-III
- Grade I - Athletes in this class are primarily wheelchair users with impairments of all four limbs and the trunk.
- Grade II - Most athletes in this class will utilize a wheelchair and either have a severe impairment of the trunk and minimal impairments in the upper limbs, or a moderate impairment in the trunk and all four limbs.
- Grade III - Some athletes in this class utilize a wheelchair and may have severe impairments in both legs with minimal impairments of the trunk and upper limbs.
Grades IV and V
- Grade IV - Athletes in this class are typically able to walk and do not require the use of a wheelchair. Impairments in this class include severe impairments of both upper limbs, short stature, and includes athletes with vision impairments equal to the B1 class.
- Grade V - Athletes in this class experience mild impairments of movement, muscle strength, or limb deficiency in one or two limbs. Grade V also includes athletes with vision impairments equal to the B2 class.
Athletes with a vision impairment must meet a minimum impairment criteria of a visual acuity equal to or worse than LogMAR 1.5 or a visual field equal to worse than a diameter of 10 degrees in both eyes. Athletes classified in the B3 sport class are not eligible for Para Equestrian.
Para equestrian follows the following rules and scoring:
- Riders in grades I-III compete in a 20 x 40 meter arena while riders in grades IV and V compete in a 20 x 60 meter arena.
- Riders can compete in the championship test which follows a strict, pre-determined sequence of movements or freestyle where riders choreograph their own routines.
- Riders with a vision impairment may use audible signals around the arena perimeters.
Pathway Progression
Para Dressage Pathway Program, opens in a new tabContinue training, riding, and working towards completing the requirement to apply to one of USEF's athlete programs including the Emerging, Development, Pre-Elite, and Elite programs.
Events Calendar
Para Dressage Events Calendar, opens in a new tabView the 2026 USEF Para dressage events calendar for a full list of Para Dressage competitions and educational symposiums.