Equestrian

Athletes are classified into five grades, depending on their levels of mobility, strength and coordination. Grade 1 tests are ridden in walk, grade 2 and 3 include walk and trot, and grade 4 and 5 are comprised of walk, trot and canter. To assist them during their tests, athletes may use additional aids such as looped reins or callers, and nations can enlist ‘friend’ horses to stand just outside the arena to help the competing horse stay relaxed.

At the Paralympic Games, athletes can compete in up to three tests, each of which is a medal event:

Individual test: Athletes perform a set routine of movements specific to their grade, which are each marked out of 10 by a panel of five judges. Additional marks are given for the general impression of the test, which includes harmony between horse and rider, skill of the athlete and their accuracy. Scores are given as a percentage, with the combination with the highest percentage in each grade receiving the gold medal. The top eight combinations in each grade will qualify for the freestyle test.

Team test: Teams are made up three athletes, at least one of which must be in grades one, two or three. No more than two athletes within a team may be the same grade. Each combination rides the set test for their grade, which is scored as per the individual test – no scores are carried over from the previous test. The scores of all three team members are combined to produce a team total, and the nation with the highest total takes gold.

Freestyle test: The eight highest placed combinations from each grade in the individual test will compete for medals in the freestyle test by riding their own choreographed floorplan, set to music of their choice. All athletes start on a blank slate and marks are awarded as per the two previous tests, but with additional ones given for artistic merit, which includes rhythm, harmony, riding skills, choreography and interpretation of the music. The winner is the combination with the highest percentage score.