The spectacular days of Olympic eventing, Grand Prix dressage and show jumping have come to an end at the 2024 Paris Games, but there’s no need to catch the Olympic blues yet. The Para Dressage superstars are getting close to taking over the reins at the breath-taking equestrian venue of the Chateau de Versailles.

Spectacular is indeed the best word to describe the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Paris Olympics kicked off with a stunning opening ceremony where the iconic Eiffel Tower served as the authentic main prop.

The Paralympic opening ceremony, taking place on Wednesday, August 28, promises to be no equally incredible. The format again promises to bring the festivities outside the stadium and into the streets. Instead of the Eiffel Tower being the main focus, however, the Paralympic opening ceremony will be centered around the famous Champs-Elysées avenue. Champs-Elysée is home to a number of Parisian trademarks, including the Arc De Triomphe and Place de la Concorde. The ceremony itself will take place at the latter, after the parade of athletes makes its way down the Champs-Elysées. It’s guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience for athletes and spectators alike.  

The Essence of Para Dressage 

Complementing the Paris 2024 Olympic spirit, Para Dressage certainly brings another spectacular element to the Games. The partnerships and level of trust displayed between rider and horse can soften even the most cynical of hearts and leave spectators in awe. Through the unique bond the riders with disabilities share with their horses, they demonstrate to the world that great riding is not based on force. Instead, it’s built over time based on love and understanding—and a lot of hard work. 

Para dressage is top sport with exquisite riding and stunning horses. And here disability is no excuse. Para dressage riders are expected to demonstrate the same correctness of riding as in able-bodied Olympic dressage. Therefore, riders with disabilities have to find solutions to work with and around their challenges to perform high-level dressage, raising the bar even higher for what we consider possible.  

Equestrian Paralympic History

Para dressage has come a long way since it became part of the Paralympics in 1996 at the Atlanta Games. Back then, riders borrowed horses provided by the host country and only rode their Olympic mounts a few times before competing.

That scenario is unimaginable today, where riders spend months and years training to establish the special bond with their horses that’s necessary to perform to the level of perfection expected to win medals.  

Paris 2024 Paralympics

Paris will see a total of 78 horse-and-rider combinations compete across the five grades I, II, III, IV and V. Grade I is designated for riders who have the least body function and is ridden in the walk only. Riders in Grades II and III compete at the walk and trot. In grades IV and V, riders perform at the walk, trot and canter. Riders in these latter grades have the highest body function. 

Common for all grades this year is the high the level of competition. We’ll see a mix of defending Paralympic champion combinations including Tobias Thorning Jørgensen and Jolene (Grade III), Michele George and Best of 8 (Grade V) and Sanne Voets on her charming Demantur (Grade IV), mixed with a high number of new horse-and-rider combinations. 

Paralympic Debutants and New Combinations 

Since Tokyo, teams have worked hard improve their chances of winning a Paralympic medal in Paris this year. Teams have been evolving and improving in several aspects, and part of that included changing both horses and riders. These new riders, horses and combinations have raised the overall level of competition. And they also present a lot of excitement going into the Paris Paralympics. But in this sport, nothing is predictable.

One of these new and interesting combinations is the American Paralympic champion from Tokyo, Roxanne Trunnell. Since the Tokyo Games, Trunnell retired her golden mount Dolton and teamed up with Fan Tastico H. The new pair had a great season and will be interesting to follow during the this year’s Paralympics. The 2024 U.S. Paralympic Equestrian Team also includes Rebecca Hart and Floratina, Fiona Howard aboard Diamond Dunes and Kate Shoemaker with Vianne.

With the rise in competition in recent years and new combinations entering the scene, the Paris competition will look different. Tokyo Paralympic medallists Frank Hosmar and Alphaville and Ann Cathrin Lübbe and La Costa Majlund didn’t make the team for Paris.

Some of the interesting new riders who will make their Paralympic debut in Paris are Dutch Demi Haerkens on Daula (Grade IV), who made a memorable entrance to the para scene last year after winning the European Championships in Riesenbeck, and British Mari Durward-Akhurst on Athene Lindebjerg (Grade 1). Athene Lindebjerg is not a Paralympic debutant, however. The impressive black mare brings a lot of experience to the Games. She is a former gold medal champion from the Rio 2016 Games with Sophie Christiansen in the saddle.   

Sold-Out Venue 

Both spectators and riders are guaranteed a memorable experience when the Para Dressage riders turn down the centerline with the great Chateau de Versailles in the background. And the riders will not lack support.

The equestrian venue at Versailles was one of the first two Paralympic venues to sell out this year. The jam-packed stadium at the Paris Games will be in sharp contrast to the Tokyo Paralympics. The Tokyo studio was empty due to COVID-19 restrictions. With full support from fans to set the atmosphere and talented horses and riders in the arena, the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games promise to be one to go down in history.

Para Dressage competition will take place from Tuesday, September 3, through Saturday, September 7.

To read more about our coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics, click here.