https://www.paralympic.org/en/paris-2024-paralympics/schedule/para-equestrian
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So happy to see that Rebecca Hart won a gold!
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I went to the 2012 Paralympics. The stand was packed to absolute capacity because everyone had enjoyed the Olympics so much they purchased tickets for the Paras to prolong the fun - and Channel 4 TV still does brilliant free-to-view coverage. The audience was asked to wave rather than clap to applaud the athletes at the end of their test: 80,000 people waving enthusiastically was a wonderful sight. I was watching the tests so intently I was actually taken by surprise when the winners came out for the presentation of medals and their disabilities became obvious. My favourite combination was a Belgium rider on a piebald gypsy cob, tail and feathers flying as they danced together, despite the rider’s missing limbs. Inspiring.
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Our athletes are doing so well! It’s exciting! 
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One thing that always strikes me when watching paradressage is that the riders are achieving huge results with minimal strength or inhibited balance or only one functional side or missing limbs. They can’t physically pull a horse into a shape so they are obliged to work in harmony with the horse. They have to ask rather than demand. It is quite eye opening.
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We can all learn a thing or two from these riders.
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Someone said that there is a reason that the Paralympics are held after the Olympics.
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I don’t understand, do I need more coffee?
No, you need to watch the paralympic archers! Really, they would show up any normally able athlete. If they show the Paralympics after then they don’t steal the Olympic athlete’s thunder.
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Ah I get it now, thank you!
And the archers are absolutely incredible. I saw a clip yesterday. wow!
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I am always absolutely amazed by the fitness of all of the para-olympians.
I’m also amazed by how wonderful the horses are competing on such a big stage and keeping their cool 100%. You can tell the horses and riders really love each other.
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I’ve had so many people say to me that the able bodied dressage shouldn’t be publicised, but rather promote the para dressage as it is so soft and harmonious. As a para dressage rider, that makes me proud.
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@StormyDay There is often a “friend” involved as another horse will stand quietly just outside the boards to provide company for the one in the competition.
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The success of para Olympians really destroys able bodied rider assertions that force and leverage are necessary to ride dressage horses.
This is what happens when the emphasis of judging is not on the gaits maybe.
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I’ve felt the commentary for para dressage has been much more informative than the Olympic commentators. They’re talking about how difficult the elements are and about the riders to a level we weren’t getting in the Olympics, on par with the kind of commentary you get for other sports in the Olympics and Paralympics. And I don’t think it’s because there are more kinds of elementary in GP dressage, they’re still explaining all the movements and what you need to consider. It emphasized that dressage is a sport, not something fluffy.
Over the years you can definitely see the quality of horses being able to be recruited for para dressage improving. Fan Tastico H has a huge walk!
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As someone who likes to see active hind legs which match the front, I felt the para dressage horses had FAR better gaits overall! Amazing how when riders don’t have force as an option their horses end up looking better.
@Knubbsy I fully agree about the commentary! With no helpful commentary, I never would have enjoyed gymnastics or figure skating. Dressage can be so beautiful, bit explanation helps!
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Congratulations to Team USA on the gold 
. It’s the first time Team GB hasn’t won a team medal since paradressage became a thing. One medalist was from Latvia, that nation’s first ever equestrian Olympic medal. That shows how much the discipline has grown and evolved. Excellent.
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Today’s Google Doodle honors Paralympic dressage.
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