THANK YOU TO JONQUIL SOLT AT THE PARALYMPICS IN HONG KONG ON 11 SEPTEMBER As many of you are aware, Mrs. Jonquil Solt, a leader for more than 20 y ears in international Para Equestrian activities, will be stepping down from her position as Chair of the FEI Para Equestrian Technical Committee at the end of this year. Read more ... ATHLETES MEETING!Dear fellow athletes,
As you know our sport has developed amazingly since we first rode at the Atlanta Paralympics. There have been a lot of changes – especially in the past couple of years. And more are on the way – not least of all Jonquil Solt’s retirement at the end of this year.
So in this context we need to consider the role of an Athletes’ Representative, and if you think we will continue to have the need for one, how the next Athletes’ Representative should be elected. You will recall that after Athens, you elected me to be your Representative for 4 years. That period ends this year.
Although we will all be very busy in Hong Kong, I think we do need to have a brief meeting of as many athletes as possible to discuss the future. I have therefore attached an Agenda for a meeting at 10.30 on 4 September. Hope to see you there or for those who will not be in Hong Kong to hear from you about any matter which you feel needs to be addressed.
With kind regards,
Geli / Angelika Trabert
 Readers please note that you are currently visiting the Athletes’ Website where we aim to give you as much information as we can. However, Para Equestrian is now under the FEI, which is the Official International Organisation responsible for all horse sports, including since 2006 International Para Equestrian sport. FEI has asked us to direct you to their official website http://horsesport.org/ where all official documents, such as Rules, Results and Scheduled International Events can be found. FEI has provided direct links to the main documents in order to make it easier for you to find what you need. You will find these links under the relevant headings and sub-pages of our website. We encourage you to make use of them.
About PARA-EQUESTRIAN
(formerly known as IPEC) Dressage competitions for riders with disabilities started in Scandinavia and in Great Britain in the 1970s. In 1987 the first dressage World Championship was held in Sweden, and we first took part in the Paralympic Games in 1996. Para Equestrian Driving is a World Championship Sport. In 1991, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) appointed IPEC (the International Paralympic Equestrian Committee) to run competitions and develop equestrian sport all over the world. This has been done very successfully, and in 2005 we had some 38 nations from five continents competing. IPEC has now joined the FEI as Para Equestrian, their 8th discipline, moving governance from a general sports organisation (IPC) to one specialising in equestrian sport (FEI).
Mission Statement To foster the growth and excellence of international equestrian sport for athletes with a disability by:
- Developing equestrian sport for people with disabilities and
- Providing competition opportunities for riders and drivers with disabilities to enable them to achieve their personal best performance in their chosen discipline
The Sport This is a unique form of physical activity as it involves two finely-tuned partners, the rider or driver and the horse. It is available to and practiced by equestrians with a wide variety of disabilities.
If you want to take part
The first action a would-be FEI PE international rider or driver should take is to contact their National Equestrian Federation, (NF), whose address can be found through local riding clubs, the telephone directory, a Para Equestrian official, or the FEI –
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. via the Directory page.  Classification
Amongst athletes with disabilities there are many different types of impairments.To provide meaningful competition for such athletes, their disability needs to be classified so that people with similar levels of impairment can be grouped into Grades in which they compete together.Riders are Graded on their impairment and judged on their equestrian ability, or skill.The most disabled athletes (Grade Ia) ride tests in walk only; the least disabled (Grade IV) ride tests of medium (M) standard. The NF will advise you about being classified.This is a functional classification, assessed by PE accredited classifiers. Having been classified, the riders are given a functional profile number, and a Grade.When necessary, riders can use compensating aids approved by FEI PE, such as a special saddle, adapted reins, elastic bands, two whips etc. Rules
The FEI web pages should be consulted, and the discipline Rules downloaded and studied(www.horsesport.org/paraequestrian). All riders must enter international competitions through their NF. The Paralympic Games are still under the governance of the IPC. Horses International riders and drivers need to have access to a suitable horse/horses trained to the required standard on which to train and compete. The rider should also have access to and lessons from a specialist trainer on a regular basis. Riders in Grades III and IV should compete in national dressage competitions for the able-bodied, and riders in Grades Ia, Ib and II should compete whenever and where ever possible. Drivers should compete in competitions for the able-bodied. If chosen for a national squad, riders should be prepared to: Attend training sessions as required by the NF
Undertake a training programme as required by the NF, which may include competing as well as fitness, adaptation of diet and other unmounted training
Be prepared to find the finance for all activities unless or until you are sponsored.
International show jumpers and those wishing to compete in any other available disciplines should follow a similar programme. The Dressage Tests
Athletes are required to ride specific tests with predetermined patterns in a 20m x 40m arena (20m x 60m for most Grade IV competitions) and a freestyle test to music. Dependent on their impairment and/or experience, they can ride tests with walk only, walk and trot, and walk, trot and canter, with or without lateral and other movements. The competition is judged on how the horse/pony performs under the influence of the rider. The more skilful the rider the better the horse is able to perform without resistance, rhythmically and with suppleness and so reflecting the equestrian skills of the rider. In the Freestyle to music test there are some compulsory movements. The rider can also add more difficult movements to form an artistic pattern to ride to his/her chosen music. If the more difficult movements are performed well, it will add to the score, but if performed badly, it will detract more than if they had not been tried at all. This is so that the rider will not try to do movements that they are not ready for, which is detrimental to the horse.
The welfare of the horse is the first priority.Respect for the disabled equestrian must be evident at all times.
Para Equestrian Development & Numbers
Para Equestrian sport has grown steadily since it was formally established under the IPC in 1991: Athletes – from 60, to more than 650 riders and drivers from 38 countries
International competitions – from 1, to more than 16 in 2005
Nations competing at the Paralympic Games - from 16, to 29 in 2004
Riders competing in the Paralympic Games (slots allowed by IPC) - from 60, to 78 in 2008
During this period a special focus on more severe disability has resulted in greater numbers of such athletes competing – from 17 in 1996 to 230 in 2004, as well as their increased representation at the Paralympics - 47% in 1996, 53% in 2004 and a projected 64% for 2008. In recognition of the differing impact of disabilities all riders are classified into one of five Grades to ensure fair equestrian competition. Governance
Para Equestrian sport is under the governance of the FEI and a Para Equestrian Committee provides the relevant technical advice and expertise. The following Committee was appointed at the FEI General Assembly in April 2006. - Jonquil Solt (GBR) as FEI PE Chairman
- Ulf Wilken (SWE)
- Hope Hand (USA)
- Mary Longden (AUS)
- Hanneke Gerritsen (NED)
It is assisted and advised by Dr Chris Meaden (GBR) on Classification matters, by Angelika Trabert (GER) as the athletes' representative, and the Secretariat functions are under the direction of Mr. Ian Williams, FEIManager for Para Equestrian. Welcome
FEI Para Equestrian welcomes new riders and drivers, and queries can be addressed to your National (Equestrian) Federation or the PE Committee, either direct, or c/o the FEI Secretariat
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Jonquil Solt (GBR):
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Ulf Wilken (SWE)
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Hope Hand (USA)
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Mary Longden (AUS)
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Hanneke Gerritsen (NED)
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Chris Meaden (GBR)
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Angelika Trabert (GER)
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