Paris Paralympics: dressage
Welcome to Horse & Hound’s coverage of the dressage competitions at the Paris Paralympics. Our expert coverage will be led by our dressage editor Oscar Williams on location at the Palace of Versailles, supported by colleagues working from the UK, who are poised and ready to keep you up to date with all the latest Paralympic dressage news as it happens.
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Dates: | 3-4 September & 6-7 September |
Venue: | Palace of Versailles |
Classifications: | Riders in five grades |
Teams: | 60 combinations from 15 nations |
Individuals: | 78 horse and rider combinations |
Competitions: | Individual, team and freestyle |
Medals: | 33 medals |
Paralympic dressage news
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‘I can’t describe this feeling’: Georgia Wilson wins a spectacular silver at Paris 2024
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Wow! Mari Durward-Akhurst and peerless Athene Linebjerg win grade I freestyle bronze against the odds at Paris 2024
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‘I’m really proud’: Sophie Wells’ brilliant Paris 2024 bronze brings her remarkable medal collection to 40
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Paris Paralympics freestyle times released: final shot at medals for Brits and other riders
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‘We should all be incredibly proud’: British disappointment as USA set new record at Paris 2024
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Line-up announced for team competition at Paris Paralympics: who’s made the cut?
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‘She was so brave’: Sophie Wells guides rising star to an unexpected medal in Paris
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Paris 2024 rider opens up about her medal-winning ‘Sun King’ – and why horses are the ‘most important judge’
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‘This means everything’: Dutch dominant on day two of the Paris 2024 individual tests
Meet the British squad horses
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Keystone Dawn Chorus – Natasha Baker’s ‘practically perfect’ Paralympic medal-winning mare
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Sakura – the laidback equine star who's taken Georgia Wilson from team reserve to medal podiums
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Athene Lindebjerg – the supermodel grade I horse who’ll partner Mari Durward-Akhurst at the Paralympics
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LJT Egebjerggards Samoa – Sophie Wells’ rising star that all British fans should be excited about
Paralympic dressage in Paris: what you need to know
Where are the Paralympic equestrian events being held?
The equestrian competitions at the Paris Paralympics 2024 are taking place in the grounds of the Palace of Versailles, which also hosted the Olympic equestrian events and the modern penathlon. Find out more about the venue for the Paris Paralympics equestrian competitions.
How many horses and riders at the Paris Paralympics?
There will be 78 horse and rider combinations allowed to compete at the Paralympics, which is three more than in the Olympics equestrian competitions. There will be 33 medals given out across the individual, team and freestyle competitions.
Paris Paralympics: equestrian dates plus medal ceremonies
The Paralympic dressage competitions begin with the individual test, known as the FEI Para Grand Prix A, across all five grades (categories of rider). This will take place on 3-4 September. Next is the team test (FEI Para Grand Prix B) for team medals on 6 September. The top eight in each grade from the individual test will compete for a set of freestyle medals on 7 September.
Paralympic equestrian schedule
Date | Competition | Grade | Medals |
Tues 3 Sept | Individual | Grade I, II, III | Yes |
Wed 4 Sept | Individual | Grade IV, V | Yes |
Fri 6 Sept | Team | Multiple grades | Yes |
Sat 7 Sept | Freestyle | All grades | Yes |
How does the team competition work?
Teams of three riders will compete for medals. Each team must include at least one rider who is in grade one, two or three, and there must be a maximum of two athletes of the same grade within a team. Each combination rides a set test specifically for their grade. The scores of all three team members in this test count towards the team total to decide the team medals.
Who will be judging the Paralympic dressage in Paris?
The dressage judges at the Paralympics are:
• Anne Prain (FRA) – president of the ground jury
• Suzanne Cunningham (AUS)
• Kristi Wysocki (USA)
• Ineke Jansen (NED)
• Freddy Leyman (BEL)
• John Robinson (GBR)
Who are the other Paralympic dressage officials?
Germany’s Dr Jan Holger Holtschmit is the technical delegate for the equestrian events at the Paralympics. The assistant technical delelgate is Hanneke Gerritsen of the Netherlands. The chief steward is Juliet Whatley from Great Britain and the travelling reserve judge is Katherine Lucheschi from Italy. The two members of the judging supervisory panel are Marco Orsini of Germany and Kjell Myhre of Norway.
Essential reading
• What is para dressage at the Paralympics?• Guide to para rider grades and grading