WHAT IS PARA-EQUESTRIAN SPORTS?

Para-Equestrian sport in both Dressage and Driving has been steadily developing for the past 25 years and is available and practiced by equestrians with a wide variety of disabilities. Indeed, PE Dressage has been a regular fixture at the Paralympic Games since 1996, while 2006 was host to the fifth Para-Equestrian World Driving Championships. In the vein of creating opportunities for all people with disabilities to compete and achieve their goals in equestrian sport, athletes are classified according to the level of their disability/impairment so as to provide for meaningful competition.

Since the introduction of driving trials into Great Britain in 1969, combined driving has grown rapidly in popularity. It is a sport that has “No Limits”, catering for everyone at all levels. Many able-bodied and disabled people receive a tremendous amount of enjoyment from their contact with horses and ponies and now the sport of driving trials have become an increasingly popular sport for people challenged by disability with competition between all abilities on a level playing field. As seen in national competition the number of drivers with disabilities is on the increase. Not only does driving trials encourage equal competition it also provides a great adrenaline rush.