Second World Intellectual Impairment Sport Para Equestrian video competition to be held
The International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments has announced that the second World Intellectual Impairment Sport Para Equestrian video competition will be held in 2018, in the latest phase of the sport’s development.
Following the success of the first competition held in the innovative video format in 2017, countries have until 7 October to submit their entries.
Last year 14 riders from four countries were filmed completing the Grade IV Novice A test. Russia’s Ekaterina Kirienkova was crowned the winner on her horse Lady Lux.
In 2018 World Intellectual Impairment Sport is hoping for even more entries.
Uta Rindfleisch, who is leading the development of Para Equestrian for athletes with intellectual impairments, said: “The first video competition was very much a trial to see what interest is out there for the sport. We were pleased to have four countries taking part and the standard was very high.
“This year we are encouraging even more entries. We know that there are riders in a lot of countries but they may not have the funding to be able to travel to events. That is why we are running the competition in a video format, to make taking part as simple as possible.”
The 2nd World Intellectual Impairment Sport Para Equestrian Video Competition is open to World Intellectual Impairment Sport members and non-member countries to aid the development of Para Equestrian for athletes with intellectual impairments.
Horses are required to wear bandages to indicate that the test has not been performed and judged at another competition. Tests will be assessed and scored by a panel of International Federation for Equestrian Sport (FEI) Para Equestrian judges.
About World Intellectual Impairment Sport Para Equestrian
Equestrian was added to the World Intellectual Impairment Sport sport programme in 2016 in the form of dressage. The organisation wants to offer the best riders with intellectual impairments the chance to compete regularly.
More information about the sport, including the rules and history, can be found at the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Para Equestrian page.
