Main image: Australian combination Stella Barton and Lord Larmarque will compete in the Grade I division at the Paris Paralympics, by Click Capture.
Para Equestrian was included in the Paralympics for the first time in Atlanta in 1996, where around 60 riders from 16 countries competed in nine events on borrowed horses.
At the Paris Paralympics, we will see a total of 78 athlete/horse combinations taking part in the Individual test, with 60 combinations from 15 nations contesting the Team competition. There is a total of 33 medals awarded for the Team, Individual and Freestyle competitions across five grades.
The Grades
In Grade I to III, athletes ride in a 40m x 20m arena compared to Grade IV to V who use a 60m x 20m arena. Grade I athletes perform tests at a walk, while Grades II and III can walk and trot. In Grades IV and V, they perform tests at a walk, trot, canter.
The Aussies
Our Australian team at the Games includes:
Grade I: Stella Barton & Lord Larmarque (owned by Jade Moody); Groom: Ashleigh Campton
Grade II: Bridget Murphy & Penmain Promise (owned by Rosanne Mason and Bridget Murphy);
Groom: Kate Arton
Grade IV: Dianne Barnes & Sorena (owned by Sharyn McCombe); Groom: Rebecca Haythorpe
Grade V: Lisa Martin & Vilaggio (owned by Lisa Martin); Groom: Maddison McAndrew
Bridget Murphy and Penmain Promise will represent Australia in the Grade II division at the Paralympics. Image by Click Capture.
The Paris format
Individual Competition
The first event is the Individual Competition, where all 78 combinations will complete the FEI Para Grand Prix A in their respective grades. The top eight combinations in each grade will qualify for the Freestyle test.
Tuesday, 3 September
9am CEST (5pm AEST)
Individual Competition – Grade I
Individual Competition – Grade II
Individual Competition – Grade III
Wednesday, 4 September
9:30am CEST (5.30pm AEST)
Individual Competition – Grade IV
Individual Competition – Grade V
Australian Paralympic team members Dianne Barnes and Sorena. Image by Click Capture.
Team Competition
The Team Competition is next, with the 15 nations set to compete being Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Sweden and the USA.
Teams are made up three athletes, at least one of which must be in Grades I, II or III. No more than two athletes within a team may be the same grade.
Nations must select three of their four combinations to compete in the Team Competition, with declaration of the team taking place after the Individual Competition. Substitutions are permitted in the period between the Declaration of starters and up to two hours before the scheduled starting time of the Team Competition.
No scores are carried over from the Individual Competition, and the scores of all three team members are combined to produce a team total.
Friday, 6 September
9:30am CEST (5.30pm AEST)
Team Competition – Grade I, II, III, IV, V
Lisa Martin and Vilaggio are representing Australia at the Paris Paralympics. Image by Click Capture.
Freestyle Competition
The final Para Equestrian event of the Games, the Freestyle to music will see the top eight riders from each grade compete with no scores are carried over from either of the previous tests.
Saturday, 7 September
9:30am CEST (5:30pm AEST): Freestyle Competition – Grade IV
10:57am CEST (6:57pm AEST): Freestyle Competition – Grade V
12:34pm CEST (8:34pm AEST): Freestyle Competition – Grade I
2:01pm CEST (10:01pm AEST): Freestyle Competition – Grade II
3:28pm CEST (11:29pm AEST): Freestyle Competition – Grade III
