Questions about para dressage

benson21

benson21

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We went to Grennwich on Thursday, and I am completely in awe of the riders that can still ride with their disabilities.
But it has got me pondering this afternoon, do they ever do tests with cantering in, or is it just walk and trot?
And what are the general thoughts on be able to have a 'friendly' horse in the arena when riding? i like the idea, so it keeps the horse being ridden calm, but then its not allowed in non disabled riding. (sorry, dont really know how to put that!)
 
Didn't know about the friendly horse but that sounds interesting a good idea.

Re the cantering, others will be able to answer in more detail but watched Debbie Criddle's test on Friday pm and she was doing walk to canter and test had quite a lot of canter in it - thought her test was really nice to watch and wish I was as much in balance on a horse as she is.
 
One of the groups in the afternoon session yesterday were performing tests in which they were not expected to leave walk. I was, I confess, slightly perplexed as to how this is a "sport" :o

eta, the previous group had been doing an elementary-ish level test, with plenty of canter, medium work etc.
 
They are allowed a horse in the arena with them to keep thei horse calm, which is ok, but on the other hand, if an able bodied person was riding in a test and wanted a friendly horse in with them, surely it would be said that if they couldnt control their horse in a competition, they shouldnt be there?
 
I think it depends on the grade they are. The lower grades have the more severe disabilities so perhaps the higher grades will perform canter work?
 
It depends on the disability as to what level of move they are required to perform and some competitors do canter. Individuals are assessed and grouped according to their disability.

To be able to overcome a disability, balance and work in harmony with a horse and be able to influence it enough to perform required moves surely is enough for it to be classed as a sport! Takes a lot more than darts!

I also don't see the issue about a friendly horse, safety has to be everyone's priority and if that helps then so be it.
 
JFTD said:
One of the groups in the afternoon session yesterday were performing tests in which they were not expected to leave walk. I was, I confess, slightly perplexed as to how this is a "sport" :o

eta, the previous group had been doing an elementary-ish level test, with plenty of canter, medium work etc.
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**Vanner** said:
It depends on the disability as to what level of move they are required to perform and some competitors do canter. Individuals are assessed and grouped according to their disability.

To be able to overcome a disability, balance and work in harmony with a horse and be able to influence it enough to perform required moves surely is enough for it to be classed as a sport! Takes a lot more than darts!

I also don't see the issue about a friendly horse, safety has to be everyone's priority and if that helps then so be it.
Click to expand...



JFTD, Have you ever been involved in an RDA session, in any capacity?
Surely the idea of participating in a sport is to challenge yourself and progress. Many para riders are more challenged by the very act of sitting on a stationary horse than most able-bodied riders are by any of the activities they participate in.

The paralympics categories are very carefully worked out so that every-one is competing at their own level, rather like a golf handicap.
What would your definition of 'sport' be?
 
Pearlsasinger said:
JFTD, Have you ever been involved in an RDA session, in any capacity?
Surely the idea of participating in a sport is to challenge yourself and progress. Many para riders are more challenged by the very act of sitting on a stationary horse than most able-bodied riders are by any of the activities they participate in.

The paralympics categories are very carefully worked out so that every-one is competing at their own level, rather like a golf handicap.
What would your definition of 'sport' be?
Click to expand...

TOTALLY this, I was watching earlier, and the GB competitor who has no control of her legs who won gold, when I think that we are taught as able-bodied riders to use our legs, and in sitting trot I usually fall off even WITH full use of my legs, it must take some hard work to stay perched when she can't rely on her legs!
 
I'd just like to add that my friend rides with RDA and is now competing in paradressage. The RDA has done more for her than any drugs, operations or physio.

When she first started riding she had no control over her left arm or leg, she has had to totally retrain her muscles to stop her arm flinging out and her leg being up the horses neck.

This has been both incredibly frustrating for her and also very painful but she's wanted to do it. On the ground she is on crutches or in a wheelchair but on a horse she is free and that is amazing to watch.

Perhaps go and watch a RDA session sometime, or volunteer as they always need helpers xx
 
Supertrooper just for the record I volunteered for years with the Rda and it is an excellent organisation and I would never question it's benefits to individuals :)
 
Just having a nosey through the grade 1 tests on the link I posted, although it stays in walk it's not *that* easy. 8 metre circles, lots of work away from the outside track and lots of transitions between walk and halt, which must be darned hard to ride accurately when you don't have a lot/any control over your own body.
 
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