ParaEquestrian Canada video CompetitionsPara-Equestrian Canada Announces upcoming Video Competitions
Ottawa, ON—It is with great pleasure that Para-Equestrian Canada announces the return of both the “Sea-to-Sea” Para-Dressage Video Competition series and the “Coast-to-Coast” Introductory Video Competitions series for the upcoming year. Video competitions provide riders with a unique opportunity to experience competition conditions at their home stable on a familiar horse.
The “Coast-to-Coast” series provides entry-level riders with an opportunity to compete in a variety of disciplines, while the “Sea-to-Sea” series offers Para-Dressage riders with a more competitive competition environment.
Therapeutic Riding Centres as well as riders not associated with a centre are encouraged to tape a performance of one of the designated tests and submit it to the competition where they will compete against other riders with similar abilities nationwide.
Prizes are awarded to the top three finishers in each class, as well as participation ribbons for all entrants into the “Coast-to-Coast” series.
The entry deadlines for the upcoming competitions are
- April 15, 2009;
- May 15, 2009;
- November 15, 2009;
- December 15, 2009;
- January 15, 2010;
- February 15, 2010; and
- March 15, 2010.
Many amendments have been made to improve the series this year. All rules, information, tests and forms can be found online at www.equinecanada.ca/para-equestrian.
About the Para-Equestrian Discipline
In Para-Equestrian, each rider is classified according to his or her functional ability. They are assessed by trained physiotherapists and doctors who evaluate either muscle strength, coordination, or a combination thereof throughout the athlete’s body. The rider is then given a functional profile that indicates the grade in which they can compete. There are five grades of competitions in dressage, with Grade IA representing the more severely impaired riders, and Grade IV representing the least severely impaired riders. The competition within each grade is judged on the functional skill of the rider, and not the level of disability.
About Para-Equestrian Canada
Para-Equestrian Canada is the discipline committee of Equine Canada that is responsible for developing and implementing programs on behalf of the Para-Equestrian community and administrating the high performance program for dressage riders with a disability. For additional information regarding Para Equestrian Canada please visit www.equinecanada.ca/para-equestrian.
About Equine Canada
Equine Canada is a member-based association that represents, promotes and services Canada's equine community and industry. Its core areas of activity involve sport, equine health and welfare, education and safety, governance and marketing, representation and communication. Equine Canada is recognized by Sport Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Coaching Association of Canada as the national organization representing equestrian sport and equine interests in Canada. For more information about Equine Canada, please visit www.equinecanada.ca.