Para-equestrian

Para-equestrian is a parasport involving the equestrian disciplines of dressage and driving. Dressage involves a horse and rider performing a specific sequence of patterned movements. Competitors are judged based on how well they can complete the movements while committing minimal errors. Driving involves precise and controlled movements in which the horse and carriage have to navigate a variety of obstacles. Adaptations for the events are based on disability requirements and can include hand holds and the use of voice for assistance. At the elite level, riders are classified as follows: Grade 1, require use of wheelchair and impairment of all four limbs, able to walk at certain points; Grade 2, require a wheelchair with poor trunk balance and/or impairment of function in all four limbs; Grade 3, require a wheelchair or has little locomotive ability with some limb function; Grade 4, able to walk without support, with minimal use of limbs or loss of sight; Grade 5, impairment in one or two limbs or a visual impairment. Hippotherapy is a form of recreational therapy, in which participants are able to use horse riding as a form of therapeutic assistance.