Para Dressage is open to all riders with disabilities who have been classified by either RDA or FEI via the Para Dressage Committee. Grades 1a, 1b, II, III and IV are admitted. Para riders may take part in able bodied competitions using their compensating aids with a dispensation certificate. There is no age limit on participation.

Classification – is to determine how the physical disability affects the function of the individual. Individuals are assessed by trained, certificated physiotherapists following internationally agreed criteria. Riders do not need to be mounted to be classified but classifiers will observe the athletes mounted to check the viability of their decisions. This may not necessarily be at the first time of classification. To find out more in the first instance contact Dr Chris Meaden, e-mail: chris@meaden.co.uk.

Training – Normally Regional Para Reps will organise regional training which may be subsidised by the Para Dressage Training Trust. This is normally undertaken on your own horse but some RDA and BHS centres are able to offer horses for hire in order for riders to gain experience. In addition British Dressage (BD) holds a list of able bodied trainers. This is contained in The Trainers Booklet. Alternatively contact your Para rep who may be able to advise on personal trainers.

Talent Spotting – This normally take place in February half term and it is open to all riders who are not currently on a World Class Squad. There are three classes designated by age. 15 and under, 25 and under and over 25. You must provide your own horse which needs to be a smart dressage horse. A dressage test is ridden but judged on rider quality rather than the horse quality. The test is followed by a short training session to assess knowledge and trainability. The prize winner in each section receives training vouchers from the PDTT. Further details from Sarah Murphy at the BD Office. You do not need to be a BD member to compete.

Competition Opportunities – Many riders start out in RDA competitions, others may be already competing in Riding Club, Pony Club or even BD competitions.

Specific Para competitions are run to create a series leading to Championships – Winter, Spring and National.

There are usually 2 classes at each event. ‘Restricted’ for those who have not competed at the BD National Championships in the last 2 years and ‘Open to All’. This applies to both the Winter and Spring championships. The Spring championship is usually combined with a Final Trial for the championship of the current year, e.g. 2008 Beijing Paralympics, 2009 Europeans, 2010 World Championships. Restricted riders do not have to be BD members but must be classified. Open riders need to be BD members and their horses registered. Riders must be classified and to be considered for a championship team must hold International Classification.

The National Championships – have 4 qualifying events and top five in each grade qualify for the Final. For this purpose Grades 1a and 1b are combined. There is no restricted section for this event.

Millfield International Young Rider Competition – Again there are 3 sections: Children 14 and under, Juniors 15-18 and Young Riders 19-25. You need to provide your own horse or pony and be selected for a place through BD Para competitions including specific Junior qualifiers where normally a score of at least 60% is needed to gain a place.

To compete in other International Para Competitions permission must be sought from the BD Para Selectors through the BD office. These trips are undertaken on a self funding basis.

Only International trips organised through the World Class Programme are funded by the British Equestrian Federation (BEF).

Start and Potential – These are lottery funded squads administered through the BEF. Details on current selection procedures and viewing days are to be found on the BEF website, Paralympic page.

T.A.S.S. Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme – These are grants that are available for those in full time education who show talent for the future. These grants are again administrated through the BEF. If interested in knowing more about grant aid apply in the first instance to Sarah Murphy at British Dressage.

Para Dressage Training Trust – In addition to helping with regional training, the Trust owns two horses who are loaned to up and coming riders to help their competition development.