Sports Summary
Used for many years for rehabilitation and recreation, equestrian was included in the Paralympic Games for the first time in Atlanta in 1996. It is a multi-disability sport, open to athletes with a physical impairment or a visual impairment.
Events are grouped according to their functional profiles. Individual riders compete in two Dressage events; a Championship Test of set movements and a Freestyle Test to music. The Team Test is an event for teams of three to four riders per team. Competitors are judged on their horsemanship skills as they ride using a series of commands for walk, trot and canter.
Riders may use assistive devices such as dressage crops, a connecting rein bar, rubber bands or other aids. Since 2006, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) is the governing body for equestrian.
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