Para-equestrian dressage

You are eligible to compete in Britain’s most successful equestrian sport, para-equestrian dressage, if you have a disability. Britain currently holds the European, World and Paralympic titles and these results have been achieved from a membership base of only about 100 riders.

How to start competing

If you are able to ride off the lead rein, you can take part in para-equestrian dressage competitions. You will need to be graded. Grade I is for the most impaired riders and grade IV is for the least. Please contact the BD paralympic officer (tel: 024 76 698837), who will refer you to a specialist physio near you.

You can compete in the restricted classes of para-equestrian dressage competitions without being a British Dressage (BD) member. However, you will need to be a member to enter qualifiers for the KBIS Disabled Dressage Rider National Championships.

Both you and your horse will need to be registered to compete at the National Dressage Championships or international competitions. This also allows you to take part in able-bodied competitions using any compensating aids, providing dispensation has been granted. Application forms for a dispensation certificate are available from the office. You will need to send a copy of your dispensation certificate to the show organiser with your entry form.

We started a talent spotting competition in 2004, which takes place annually in February. For more information see National competition or contact the paralympic officer at BD (tel: 024 76 698837).

Advice and training

We have regional para representatives in every part of Britain, so that you can contact someone local for advice. Click here to find your regional para rep and regional development officer (RDO).

We are also in the process of arranging regional training for para-equestrian dressage riders alongside our mainstream regional training. This is already available in some areas and costs between £5-20 per session.

For information about the Para Dressage Training Trust, which is involved with regional training and owns horses which are loaned to up-and-coming riders, visit www.pdtt.org. or contact Jane Goldsmith (tel: 01926 642571).

Hartpury National Para-Equestrian
Dressage Judges Course

This course, which has been arranged by Chris Porterfield, will take place on 14-19 July  2009 at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire. Alison Mastin, Jane Goldsmith, Jonquil Solt, Sarah Rodger and Carolyn Gardiner will lead the sessions.

BD judges on list 3-1 will be able to use this course as part of the upgrading process to become a national para-equestrian dressage judge, providing they complete all sessions. The course is also recommended as a refresher for existing national para-equestrian dressage judges.

The cost  is £40 for the whole course or £15 per day. Accommodation and meals are not included. To apply, please send a cheque made payable to "British Dressage" to Paralympic Officer, British Dressage, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2RJ. A list of accommodation can be obtained from BD.