Watching para-equestrian competitions I have only one question, aimed directly at myself: what’s your problem? I have enormous respect for any athlete, equestrian or not, because I have the barest inkling of what it takes to reach the top of their game and the enormous focus and drive it requires. Para-equestrianism makes this doubly apparent. Para-equestrian officially encompasses two sports, dressage and driving. In both sports, riders are fit into different grades, depending on their abilities. This ensures that everyone competing is doing so against riders with the same abilities and makes the competition fair.
Depending on what grade they are in, dressage riders may compete in a walk, walk-trot, or walk-trot-canter test. Often teams are made up of riders from three different grades. And, those riders may have a physical disability (or several) or be vision impaired. Grade 1a and b riders have the highest level of disability and may spend most of their time wheelchair bound. Grand 4 riders have the least amount of disability. Grade 4 tests are more difficult and may include a freestyle competition. To accommodate their disability, riders can use special saddles, two whips, special reins or other equipment. This includes assistive devices to hold reins with either feet or teeth - an awe inspiring adaptation for any rider. Vision impaired riders can have a caller. Seeing an armless rider guide a horse through a dressage test holding the reins by their teeth is humbling.
One such rider is Stinna Tange Kaastrup of Denmark. She was born without legs. Using her powered wheelchair to help her get around, she leads, grooms, cleans hooves and saddles her horse with little assistance. Her saddle is designed to help her have a secure seat. She cues her horse entirely with her hands as she competes in walk-trot dressage tests.
Not all para-equestrians were born with their disabilities. Some athletes have gone from being able bodied riders to para-equestrians. Debilitating injury and disease can mean we have to reassess and find different ways of doing things. Many of us know, life doesn’t roll out exactly how we envisioned, but that doesn’t mean we put what’s truly important to us on the shelf. Canadian rider Lynne Poole who has suffered several tragedies, including a serious riding accident, started as an able bodied rider at age four. Now as a para-equestrian horses and competing continue to be part of her life. Poole competes internationally, and dressage is her love.
Of course, driving and dressage are the official FEI sanctioned sports but there are many para-athletes competing in many other disciplines. Assisting and identifying para-equestrians is an initiative of many international and local equestrian organizations. Para-athletes compete in stadium jumping, mounted games, and endurance riding. Often riders will compete against able bodied riders, but organizations such as Endurance Great Britain are offering competition specifically for para-equestrians. Western riders can compete in pleasure classes and equitation, speed games and showmanship. As more rules and framework is put in place, the playing field will be leveled for all riders, able bodied, or not.
I think para-equestrians are amazing! I volunteer at a therapeutic riding center for people with disabilities and I love doing it. They make my struggles with riding seem like nothing compared with the struggles they have to overcome.
I think para-equestrians are amazing! I volunteer at a therapeutic riding center for people with disabilities and I love doing it. They make my struggles with riding seem like nothing compared with the struggles they have to overcome.
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