Classification
 

A Brief Guide to the Profiling System & Classification of Paralympic Riders
under International Paralympic Equestrian Committee (I.P.E.C) Rules

Grade Ia  (illustrated)     Grade Ib (illustrated)         Grade II (illustrated)  

GRADE III (illustrated)  GRADE IV (illustrated) 

Classification is carried out by a qualified physiotherapist or physician trained in the profiling system. All riders competing in International or National Para Equestrian competitions are required to be classified.
Two Para Equestrian accredited classifiers, one with international status and with at least one being of a different nationality to the rider, can classify riders for international competition. A nationally accredited Para Equestrian classifier can assess riders for national competition.
Classification of riders with a disability provides the means to ensure fair equestrian competition. Riders with a disability can present with a variety of impairments. The functional profile system used for classification enables the physical or sensory (vision) impairment of the rider to be expressed numerically. The profile is established by assessing muscle power, joint range or co-ordination of the rider, or the vision in the case of those with visual impairment.

Grade IV - At this level the rider will ride an elementary/medium level test

Grade III - At this level the rider will ride a novice level test.

Grade II - At this level the rider will ride a novice level test excluding canter.

Grade I - This is split again in to two sections:

Grade Ib - At this level the rider will ride walk with some trot work excluding medium trot

Grade Ia - At this level the rider will ride a walk only test.


To view a copy of the dressage tests for each Grade go to http://www.horsesports.org or www.ipec-athletes.de

Once internationally classified the rider will receive an FEI Para Equestrian International Para Equestrian Classification Identity Card (IPEC ID Card) describing their profile number, Grade and a list of compensating aids they are allowed to use in competition. Compensating aids may include but are not limited to: use of the voice; whip(s), rein and saddle adaptations; bands to hold feet in the stirrups.

At an event, riders are observed by the classifiers during practice and competition. This assists to confirm the impairment recorded during the assessment is the same when mounted. This is not an assessment of the rider’s skill.

Riders with recovering and deteriorating conditions (for example, multiple sclerosis) must be reclassified within six months of a Major Championship. They may be reassessed at these events and in cases of recovery or further deterioration, moved to a higher or lower Grade respectively. Some conditions (for example cardiac or respiratory conditions, pain, fatigue) cannot be satisfactorily assessed or measured and cannot be classified and are therefore these riders are not eligible for competition.

Classification is a statement of fact, not a test or judgment of the rider’s ability on a horse. This can often make it difficult for the untrained eye to understand the range of disability and ability within a Grade. However, it is certain that some disabilities lend themselves more towards riding than others and however fair a system tries to be anomalies will occur.

For all matters relating to IPEC CARDS please contact Lyn Lawford This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   Questions on all other Classification matters should be directed to Dr Chris Meaden  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it