Growth in participation is ‘huge’ for para sport
Dressage and showjumping opportunities for disabled riders are paving the way for future success, it is believed
PARA sport in the UK has taken “a great step forward”, with a boost in dressage participation and new opportunities for disabled showjumpers.
At this year’s British Dressage (BD) AGM (14 September), it was revealed that participation at regional para dressage events was up 46.5% since August last year.
“Our team of regional development officers and their para representatives have put a huge effort into diversifying opportunities for our para riders and how to better engage with them,” BD interim para director Julie Frizzell told H&H. “The figures show just what an impact they’ve had and plans are now under way to enable us to build on the success nationally.
“Our focus for the next year is to produce a future-proof strategy to take para dressage into 2020 that increases the number of active riders, opens opportunity and feeds the process that produces exceptional international talent.”
In May, British Showjumping (BS) launched a para league with the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), which has been “extremely well received”.
“We look forward to the future and will continue to work on the ever-evolving opportunities for riders with disabilities,” BS para co-ordinator Rebecca Heath told
“It has been so rewarding to see new up-and-coming riders take up para jumping; with both training and competitive opportunities growing year by year, I look forward to seeing what the future may hold.”
BS said 20 combinations took part in the first league, and its aim is to run the league again next year, with more competition dates being held during 2018.
RDA dressage and championships co-ordinator
Sarah Hadley welcomed the boost.
“This mirrors our own research which strongly demonstrates an appetite for more competitive opportunities among disabled riders,” she told H&H.
“The development of BS’s para league, which includes classes in our own national championships, is a great step forward as well.
“RDA’s partnerships with BD and BS have helped create much more exciting pathways towards competition for disabled riders who want to enjoy the sport in this way.”