Can para dressage riders have help in the arena?
B · Beginner · Competition · 3 of 4A rider must enter within 60 seconds of the bell. Grades I to III may use the voice in moderation; IV and V may not. Vision-impaired riders may have a commander reading the test and callers at the letters, approved on the Master List. Grades I to III may be led round outside the arena, with corner helpers for emergencies only.
How it works
- Bell: enter within 60 seconds.
- 60 to 120 seconds: 0.5% fault.
- Voice: Grades I to III in moderation only.
- Voice fault: at least two marks a judge.
- Hands: both where possible.
- Commander: reads each movement once or twice.
- Callers: up to four plus one at X, or electronic.
- Helpers: up to four, in the corners, emergency only.
The glossary has the entering the arena (para dressage), the voice and hands (para dressage), the commander and caller, the helpers and companion horse, the visually impaired athletes' warm-up and dress and the yellow warning card (para dressage).
Tricky cases
Can a vision-impaired rider start inside the arena?
Yes.
Can a helper steady the horse mid-test?
Only in an emergency.
Can a rider take the reins in one hand to pat the horse?
A discreet pat is fine; showing off is a fault.
What does a white armband mean?
A rider with a vision impairment, mounted outside the arena.
Why the rule exists
Callers replace sight so blind riders know where they are. Limiting help keeps the test the rider's own.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Grades I to III | Voice allowed | 8416.5 |
| Grades IV and V | No voice | 8416.5 |
| Vision impairment | Commanders and callers | 8429.4 |
From the rule book
FEI, Para Dressage Rules, 4th edition (1 January 2026), articles 8415.5, 8416, 8427.9 and 8429.4. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: FEI Para Dressage Rules, 4th edition.