Para-equestrian

There are five grades of competitions in para-equestrian, with Grade IA representing the more severely impaired riders, and Grade IV representing the least impaired riders.

During the classification process, riders may receive approval to use specific “compensating aids,” which are used to compensate for the physical or sensory limitation resulting from their impairment, thereby enabling them to effectively ride a horse. A compensating aid is not to be used for lack of riding skill or as an aid to enhance the horse’s performance, but would be considered a training aid. The horse’s well-being is paramount in considering the use of any compensating aid.

Grade IV - Riders usually have an impairment in one or two limbs or have a visual impairment.

Grade III - Often riders are able to walk without support. They may have minimal use of their limbs or loss of sight.

Grade II - Most riders are wheelchair users or have little locomotive ability with some limb function. Others have severe unilateral impairment. The rider and horse perform a walk and trot level test excluding canter.

Grade Ib – Riders are mainly wheelchair users with poor trunk balance and/or impairment of function in all four limbs, or no trunk balance and good upper limb function, or moderate trunk balance with severe impairment of all four limbs.

Grade Ia – Riders are mainly wheelchair users with impairment of all four limbs who may be able to walk with an unsteady gait, but trunk and balance are severely impaired.