Para Dressage

[claire0781]

I was just wondering if I could pick your brains please?

I saw my RI today and she mentioned that i would probably qualify for para dressage. I was just wondering if anyone knew what they counted as a disability? Do you have to be registered as disabled? I hve tried lookign on the web but can't find any thing which details what would count as each grade of disability?

Any help would be most appreciated. thanks :)

[alwaysfallingof]

In order to be able to ride in a para dressage competition, you need to be profiled by an RDA physiotherapist. This consists of a series of tests to show how physically and mentally able you are to perform the movements required to ride - that is they test muscle tone, flexibility, coordination, stability, spatial awareness etc etc. There are no horses involved, it is purely physiotherapeutic.
The grade that you are given (Goes from 1-5) will determine which tests and classes you are allowed to enter, and what movements you will be required to perform.

All the para riders that I know are also members of an RDA group, but this may not be necessary if you want to do solely para rather than RDA regional and national dressage competitions.

To compete internationally, you need a separate IPEC grading, and cannot be higher than grade 4 (I think)

You don't have to be registered as disabled, but medical information is required. Likewise, there's no hard and fast rules about what they count as a disability, but the less disabled you are, the higher your grading and the harder tests you will have to do.

PM me if you want with more specific info, I might be able to help more.

[claire0781]

thanks - just about to PM you now!

[Jane.A]

I'm graded 4. You can find out more from the IPEC website. www.ipec-athletes.de. To be considered as a para rider and be selected for start or potential squad you also need to be under 30. I'm not:D . Its extremely competitive. RDA championship dressage is open to all ages and disabilities including grade V and those with learning difficulties who tend to be excluded from para stuff as there is not one universally accepted mode of assessment for it. Feel free to pm me too if you think I can help.

[Arianrhod]

Im a grade 2. To ride with the Para's you do need to be in an RDA group. The grading is based on the severity of the riders disability. Ranging from grade 1 (most disabled) to grade v (least disabled) Grade V riders do not have there own tests and do not ride in specific classes devoted to just grade V, alternatively they have a class open to all grades that a grade V can enter. Hope this makes sense??? I have lots more information if you need it as I am a para rider. PM me if you like.
Hope this helps.
Arianrhod. xxx

[fishiz3434]

hey! i have just started to ride para equestrian tests and i got placed 5th at a unofficial competition with a 4 yr old rda pony i havn't been graded but their are a few of these comps around so maybe start their so get used to the tests(cos they are hard if u dont have a really good bendy horse hehe)