Equestrian events at the 2016 Summer Paralympics consist of 11 dressage events, ten for individual riders across five classes, and a single mixed team, mixed category event. The competitions were held in the Olympic Equestrian Centre in Rio, in September 2016.

Classification Riders are given a classification depending on the type and extent of their disability. The classification system allowed riders to compete against others with a similar level of function.

Athletes are classified according to their functional ability when mounted across four grades and five categories (Ia and Ib, II, III and IV). The grading determines the complexity of the movements riders perform with their horses during their tests, ensuring that the tests are judged on the skill of the rider, regardless of their impairment. Riders may use permitted assistive devices such as dressage whips, connecting rein bars looped reins, and the like. Riders who have visual impairments are permitted to use 'callers' to help them navigate around the arena.

Riders with recovering or deteriorating conditions such as MS are eligible but must have been reclassified within six months of a World Championships or Paralympic Games to ensure their classification is correct.

Specialised equipment including prostheses is only allowed where it has been specifically approved.

Equestrian events at the 2016 Summer Paralympics – Classification of eventsClassification Description Iafor riders with impaired limb function, or poor balance and good upper limb functionGrade Ia riders are usually wheelchair users with impairment of all four limbs. They may be able to walk, but this is usually with an unsteady gait due to difficulties with balance and trunk stability.bfor riders with impaired limb function, and/or poor balance and good upper limb functionGrade Ib riders are similar to Grade Ia in that they are mainly wheelchair users. They must have poor trunk balance and/or impairment of all four limbs. Some riders will have both, but some will have just one of the two listed impairments. II for riders with locomotion impairmentGrade II riders are often wheelchair users. Riders in this grade can have severe impairment involving the trunk but with good or mild upper limb function, or can have severe arm impairment and slight leg impairment, or can have severe degree of impairment down one side. III for blind riders with moderate locomotion impairmentGrade III riders are usually able to walk without support but may require a wheelchair for longer distances. Riders can have moderate unilateral impairment, moderate impairment of all four limbs, or severe arm impairment. Blind riders compete in this category but must wear blacked-out glasses or a blindfold. IV for riders with some visual impairment or impaired function in one or two limbsGrade IV riders have an impairment of one of two limbs or a visual impairment at B2 level.

Qualification

The following teams and individuals attained quota places for the 2016 Summer Paralympics Equestrian event.Para Equestrian qualification from FEI.org On 25 March, FEI announcedFEI announce Rio Quotas that France and Russia, having achieved multiple quota places for individuals, would be able to field composite teams in the team competition, bringing the total number of teams in that event to 16.

colspan="4" Qualification route Standard Qualifiers Quotas 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games Top three ranked teams, 4 riders each 12 FEI World Para-dressage Rankingsas of 31 January 2016 Top seven ranked teams, 4 riders each 28 FEI Regional Para-dressage Allocation Top ranked remaining team, 4 riders each, from following regions : Africa Americas Asia Oceania - 12 FEI Para-dressage Individual Rankingas of 31 January 2016Two qualification slots for NPC(s) not already represented : Africa Americas Asia Europe Oceania–

– – 10Africa and Oceania failed to complete their allocation. these quotas devolved to the ranking list. Bipartite Commission Three qualification slots 3 Host Country Allocation One team of four 4 Completion of Quota ProcedureFive highest ranked athletes (regardless of region) on the FEI Paralympic Individual Ranking List plus any unused quota places 5+ colspan="3" 78

Officials Appointment of officials is as follows:

Dressage Alison Pauline King (Ground Jury President) Hanneke Gerritsen (Ground Jury Member) Anne Prain (Ground Jury Member) Kjell Myhre (Ground Jury Member) Marc Urban (Ground Jury Member) Marco Orsini (Ground Jury Member) Sarah Leitch (Ground Jury Member)

Events

Equestrian events at the 2016 Summer Paralympics – Classification of events Date Session Event Grade 10 September 2016 10:00:00 Horse Inspection 11 September 2016 10:00:00 Team Test Grade III 14:00:00 Team Test Grade Ib 12 September 2016 10:00:00 Team Test Grade IV 13:00:00 Team Test Grade Ia 13 September 2016 10:00:00 Team Test Grade II 14:00:00 Individual Championship Test Grade III 14 September 2016 10:00:00 Individual Championship Test Grade IV 14:00:00 Individual Championship Test Grade Ib 15 September 2016 09:00:00 Individual Championship Test Grade II 12:45:00 Individual Championship Test Grade Ia 16 September 2016 09:00:00 Individual Freestyle Test Grade III 10:10:00 Individual Freestyle Test Grade IV 13:00:00 Individual Freestyle Test Grade Ib 14:10:00 Individual Freestyle Test Grade Ia 15:30:00 Individual Freestyle Test Grade II

Participating nations 76 athletes from 29 nations competed.

Medal table

Medal summary Individual championship test Grade Ia Individual freestyle test Individual championship test Grade Ib Individual freestyle test Individual championship test Grade II Individual freestyle test Individual championship test Grade III Individual freestyle test Individual championship test Grade IV Individual freestyle test Team OpenNatasha Bakeron CabralSophie Wellson ValeriusAnne Dunhamon LJT Lucas NormarkSophie Christiansenon Athene LindebjergAlina Rosenbergon Nea's DabounCarolin Schnarreon Del RuschSteffen Zeibigon Feel Good 4Elke Philippon RegalizNicole den Dulkon Wallace N.O.P.Frank Hosmaron Alphaville N.O.P.Demi Vermeulenon BurberryRixt van der Horston Jockey Club Caraat

References

External links Official website of the 2016 Summer Paralympics Official Paralympics website FEI:Fédération Equestre Internationale