What is para dressage?
B · Beginner · Grades and aids · 1 of 4Para dressage is dressage for riders with a physical or visual impairment, run by the FEI. Riders are classified into five Grades, I to V; each Grade rides its own official tests. Men and women always compete together. Riders may use compensating aids, from soft hand holds to foot reins, approved for their impairment. Para dressage is the Paralympic equestrian discipline.
How it works
- Governing body: the FEI.
- Grades: I, most impaired, to V.
- Tests: official FEI tests for each Grade.
- Gender: men and women together.
- Aids: standard, profile-specific or approved one-offs.
- Events: CPEDI1* to 3*, Championships, the Paralympics.
- Scoring: a percentage of the maximum marks.
- Para driving: has its own rules.
The glossary has the para dressage, the para equestrian, the Grade (para dressage), the para dressage tests, the compensating aids and the CPEDI.
Tricky cases
Can a federation run separate men's and women's classes?
No. Separate competitions by gender are not allowed.
Are para dressage tests easier versions of normal tests?
They are their own series, set by Grade.
Does a CPEDN follow these rules?
It is a national event; national rules may differ.
Is para driving covered?
No. It has its own rules.
Why the rule exists
Grades let riders with very different impairments compete fairly. Aids let them give the horse clear signals by other means.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CPEDI1* | Para Novice | 8402 |
| CPEDI2* | Para Intermediate | 8402 |
| CPEDI3* | Para Grand Prix, teams | 8402 |
From the rule book
FEI, Para Dressage Rules, 4th edition (1 January 2026), articles 8401 to 8403. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: FEI Para Dressage Rules, 4th edition.