Atlanta (USA) 16 August - 25 August 1996

Dressage competitions for riders with disabilities began in Scandinavia and Great Britain during the 1970’s. It was in 1984 at the International Games for the Disabled in New York City that the first major International Dressage competition for those with a physical disability was held. But it wasn’t until Atlanta 1996 that equestrian events were first held at the Paralympics Summer Games, with 61 riders representing 16 countries. At these games the host nation was required to provide the horses on which the riders would compete and this remained the norm until 2004 in Athens where riders were allowed to compete with their own horses. Given the very specific requirements and training required of Para-Equestrian horses, the quality of horses provided for the Atlanta Games was not entirely up to the expected standard.

Competition rules were based on the FEI Rule Book, with adaptations to take into account Paralympic requirements which encompass a wide range of impairments and modifications to equipment/additional equipment etc

Riders perform in a standard 20m X 40m or 20m X 60m Dressage ring depending on their grade and all riders are classified according to their disability (impairment), and judged according to their ability (skill). In 1996, athletes were classified into four grades – see below - where each grade has a set of progressive Dressage Tests, ranging from simple to ‘Grand Prix’ standard and have been written to take account of the capability within each Grade.

• Grade I - Mainly wheelchair users with poor trunk balance and or impairment of function in all four limbs, or no trunk balance and good upper limb function, or moderate trunk balance with severe impairment of all four limbs.
• Grade II - Mainly wheelchair users, or those with severe locomotor impairment involving the trunk and with good to mild upper limb function, or severe unilateral impairment.
• Grade III - Usually able to walk without support. Moderate unilateral impairment, or moderate impairment in four limbs, severe arm impairment. May need a wheelchair for longer distances or due to lack of stamina. Total loss of sight in both eyes, or intellectually impaired.
• Grade IV - Impairment in one or two limbs, or some visual impairment.

As there were four grades in 1996 and two sets of medals per grade as well as an overall team medal, there were 9 sets of medals distributed in Atlanta.
Great Britain began the first equestrian participation at the Paralympic Games with a team gold (although Denmark were a very close second) and have gone on to secure gold every four years since then.

Individually, Jo Jackson (GBR) in Grade IV and Ann Cecilie Ore (NOR) in Grade III picked up both the Championships and Freestyle medals, whilst Angelika Trabert (GER) and Anne Dunham (GBR) participated in their first of four Paralympic Games (1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008). Angelika Trabert won two individual silver medals in Grade II, and Anne Dunham the Grade II Freestyle bronze alongside her team gold.