When to watch equestrian during the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games
Equestrian events will be held from Tuesday, September 3 to Saturday, September 7 at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. Of the three equestrian disciplines held at the Olympic Games, only dressage is contested at the Paralympics. Riders are similarly judged based on their horse’s behavior inside the competition arena and how they perform the various compulsory movements.
Equestrian events at the Paralympics include individual championships and individual freestyle championships across five athlete classes as defined by the Paralympic system of classification. A team championship is also held.
| Grade I | Athletes have severe impairments affecting all limbs and the trunk. |
| Grade II | Athletes have either a severe impairment of the trunk and minimal impairment of the arms or moderate impairment of the trunk, arms and legs. |
| Grade III | Athletes have severe impairments in both legs with minimal or no impairment of the trunk or moderate impairment of the arms and legs and trunk. |
| Grade IV | Athletes have a severe impairment or deficiency of both arms or a moderate impairment of all four limbs or short stature. |
| Grade V | Athletes have vision impairment or complete blindness or a mildly impaired range of movement or muscle strength or a deficiency of one limb or mild deficiency of two limbs. |
Venue
Few venues at the 2024 Paris Paralympics will rival the magnificence seen at the home of the equestrian competition. The grounds of the historic Château de Versailles will be outfitted with a temporary outdoor arena on the Etoile Royal esplanade in the center of the Palace’s gardens.
Events
- Individual championship grade I
- Individual championship grade II
- Individual championship grade III
- Individual championship grade IV
- Individual championship grade V
- Team championship – Open
- Individual freestyle championship grade I
- Individual freestyle championship grade II
- Individual freestyle championship grade III
- Individual freestyle championship grade IV
- Individual freestyle championship grade V
Competition Schedule
| Date | Event | Time (ET) |
| Sept. 3 | Individual Para Grand Prix Test - Grade I, II, III | 3a-12:17p |
| Sept. 4 | Individual Para Grand Prix Test - Grade IV, V | 3:30-9:06a |
| Sept. 6 | Para Grand Prix Special Test - Team Event | 3:30-11:40a |
| Sept. 7 | Individual Para Grand Prix Freestyle Test - Grade IV, V, I, II, III | 3:30-11:10a |
Equestrian athletes to watch on Team USA
The U.S. para equestrian team will feature three veterans and a newcomer.
Four-time Paralympian Rebecca Hart, Tokyo Paralympian Kate Shoemaker and two-time Paralympian Roxanne Trunnel all competed at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and won a bronze medal in the team event. Trunnel brought home an additional medal with the gold in the inividual freestyle.
Fiona Howard will be making her Paralympic debut in Paris.