Equestrian sport for the disabled
As Para-Equestrian refers to the riding as a sport for people with disabilities or riding with handicap. Corresponding to the English term para-equestrian , the term para-dressage sport has also established itself.
Equestrian sports for the disabled are not to be equated with riding therapy / therapeutic riding . The use of the horse for people with disabilities can be traced back over 2000 years.
Recreational and popular sports
Here, just like competitive sports, the focus is on meaningful leisure activities with animals, combined with social integration and the compensation of physical inactivity caused by disabilities. The way people participate in equestrian sports depends on the type of disability. Many physically handicapped riders can take part in equestrian sport with the usual equipment, but mostly they ride with compensatory aids , e.g. B. with special reins, modified saddles (knee rolls, straps, etc.), possibly also with the side saddle . The handicapped person may be busy with the horse without riding, e.g. B. with ground work . A medical certificate or classification is not necessary for this.
competitive sport
Basically, each according to his talent, his perseverance, etc. can on competitive sports to participate. In competitive sport, disabled riders / drivers take part in regular tournaments with non-disabled people as well as in special tournaments for people with disabilities. In Germany, the DKThR (German Board of Trustees for Therapeutic Riding) in Warendorf is responsible for equestrian sports. Here you work together with the German Equestrian Association (FN) - for international tournaments - with the German Disabled Sports Association (DBS).
The basis is a sports health card . For this, the family doctor who knows the person must confirm that they are able to exercise ( certificate ). If the decision is positive, the rider will be classified by the German team doctor or another German or foreign classifier (IPEC = International Paralympic Committee for Equestrianism), which are specially trained doctors or sports physiotherapists, i.e. into a competition class (Grade Ia to IV) assigned.
The competition class (for 8 years according to IPEC rules) is entered as well as subsequent examinations, which must confirm at regular intervals that a condition has remained the same, this can then also be done by the family doctor, or that something has changed, then a classifier must be sought.
The classification (degrees) is intended to ensure that comparable restrictions lead to comparable performance. It is based on functional aspects, directly related to riding. The cause of the functional restriction is almost unimportant. In other words, whether a movement can not be carried out or can only be carried out a little is important. It is not important whether the cause is a joint misaligned by rheumatism, paralysis of the muscles in this extremity, or a post-amputation (or congenital) missing limb. However, a classification is only conceivable if the function is reduced by more than 15 percent compared to standard tabs. Therefore, an impairment of the foot function (stiffened ankles) may not be a sufficient justification for a classification in the equestrian competition class. However, if the person concerned were to do athletics, he would very well be classified as disabled in the sense of an IPC ( International Paralympic Committee ) competition rules.
The methodology corresponds to the assessment of the body according to:
- Muscle strength
- Joint mobility
- Coordination.
The rider must consent to the test. If he does not want this or if he does not allow certain tests, he is also not allowed to compete. For every athlete in the corresponding competition class (grade) there is also a corresponding impairment profile . According to this, a healthy person can achieve the following points:
- 80 (for left arm), 40 (for neck movement), 80 (for right arm)
- 70 (for left leg), 60 (for trunk / pelvis), 70 (for right leg)
description
The requirements for the execution of the required elements in the lessons do not differ from the regular tournaments in special disabled tournaments. Here, the scale of training (tact, slackness, leaning, momentum, straightening, gathering) counts as well as in regular riding. If a disabled rider starts at a tournament, he is subject to the same assessment as a regular rider.
In the freestyle, it is possible in all starting classes to show higher dressage lessons. Up until the Paralympics 2000 in Sydney , there was a specialty in handicapped horse riding on an international level , when the participants started on horses drawn from the respective host country. These were competition conditions that would be inconceivable at regular tournaments.
Since the European Championships in Portugal in 2002, the riders start with their own horses. The costs for the acquisition, training, transport, maintenance, etc. of these high-quality horses can hardly be raised by the national associations. Only the commitment, the perseverance of the riders and trainers, the support from the associations and sponsors make it possible for the riders to take part in international competitions and also to bring the youngsters there.
In contrast to other nations such as B. in the United Kingdom, the para-dressage riders in the German-speaking area are all amateurs, all of whom are employed.
List of degrees
On January 1, 2017, the names of all competition classes (grades) were changed. The previous grade Ia became the new grade I, the grade Ib became grade II. Accordingly, all other numbering of the competition classes shifted up by one.
In addition, on the same date, the tasks of the competition classes were revised and the requirements increased. The dressage judge and German team boss Britta Bando judged the new tasks: “ Overall, more emphasis is placed on permeability , many transitions , many volts and turns, in which special attention is paid to position and bending . "
Legend to the figures
Normal function or minimal disadvantage = normal function or minor impairment
Paresis Paresis (incomplete paralysis of the muscles)
Absence of Limbs = missing limbs
Incoordinate = coordination
disorder Severely incoordinate = severe coordination disorder
Deformity = deformation
Wheelchair user = wheelchair user
Grade I.
Grade I (formerly Ia) refers to the competition class of the most severely disabled riders. The athletes are mainly wheelchair users. Step and step-trot tasks are provided here.
Profile 1 : all 4 limbs almost unusable; Use of an electric wheelchair or must be pushed in a normal wheelchair; usually has very poor trunk steering ability
Profile 2 : all 4 limbs almost unusable; can bend the elbows to drive a wheelchair; may need an electric wheelchair for longer journeys; weak trunk control ability
Profile 3 : Wheelchair users with very poor balance and inability to grip or let go of things, poor trunk control
Profile 5 : wheelchair users with limb control difficulties when performing all activities; often moderate trunk steering ability
For 1–6 : Handle or neck strap, rubber bands on the stirrup, straps from the stirrup strap or stirrup to the girth, reins with loops, raised knee rolls and / or pommel away from the body, only needs to say hello, 1 or 2 whips, use of voices, seat cover, no stirrups, Devonshire boots Andersen stirrups, can also ride one-handed
Profile 7 : wheelchair user who can only use one arm well; may have an electric wheelchair if a normal wheelchair cannot be moved; Trunk Control Difficulties As above, and connecting rein cross brace, single handed ride
Profile 12 : all 4 limbs seriously impaired; is able to run; Sufficient to moderate trunk control ability
12b : Serious deformations or weaknesses in all 4 limbs
Handgrip, elastic bands on the stirrup, straps from the stirrup strap or stirrup to the harness, reins with loops, connecting crossbars, 1 or 2 whips only needs to be greeted with the head, use of voices, seat cover, none Stirrups, Devonshire boots. Andersen ~ stirrups
Profile 13 : can walk; can only marginally use 3 limbs; usually uses a stick with the help of the good hand; Ability to steer the trunk varies, often sufficient to moderate.Handle , elastic bands on the stirrup, straps from the stirrup or stirrup to the girth, reins with loops, raised knee rolls and / or pommel away from the body, 1 or 2 whips, only needs to say hello, use of voices, seat cover, no stirrups, Devonshire boots, Andersen stirrups, single handed rides
Grade II
In Grade II (up to 2016 Grade Ib) there are step-trot tasks.
Profile 4 : all 4 limbs almost unusable, but good trunk control ability; usually able to use a wheelchair; mainly uses the buttocks to control the horse's movements
Profile 6 : Wheelchair users with poor trunk control and slightly weak hands or poor arm control
Profile 9 : wheelchair user who can use both arms well; only trunk control in the upper area; cannot tilt pelvis
Profile 10 : Wheelchair user who can use trunk and arms well; but unable to use the hips to aid trunk movement; Trunk steering difficulties
Handle, rubber bands on the stirrup, straps from the stirrup or stirrup to the girth, raised knee rolls and / or pommel away from the body, 1 or 2 whips, only needs to be greeted with the head, use of the voice, seat cover, no stirrups, Devonshire boots, Andersen stirrups
10a : serious balance problems; unable to move outside of their basic support
Profile 11 : wheelchair users with good trunk and Armkontrolle and some hip control; can tilt the pelvis well, possibly missing legs
11a : no prostheses and stump is less than 10 cm long
rubber bands on the stirrup, straps from the stirrup or stirrup to the girth, raised knee rolls and / or pommel away from the body, 1 or 2 whips, only needed to greet with head, use of voices, seat cover, no stirrups, Devonshire boots, Andersen stirrups
Profile 12 : all 4 limbs seriously impaired; is able to run; Sufficient to moderate trunk control ability
12b : Serious deformations or weaknesses in all 4 limbs
Handle, rubber bands on the stirrup, straps from the stirrup or stirrup to the harness, reins with loops, connecting crossbars, 1 or 2 whips, only needs to greet with the head, use of the voice, seat cover , no stirrups, Devonshire boots, Andersen stirrups
Grade III
Step-trot tasks are required in Grade III (formerly II), but canter and individual flying changes are quite common in the freestyle.
Profile 8 : Wheelchair users with a bit of trunk control and slightly weak hands or arms
Rubber bands on the stirrup, straps from the stirrup or stirrup to the harness, may need reins with loops, 1 or 2 whips, only needs to say hello, use of voices, seat cover one or no stirrup , Devonshire boots Andersen stirrups
Profile 10 : Wheelchair user who can use trunk and arms well; but unable to use the hips to aid trunk movement; Trunk control difficulties
10b : Can tilt the pelvis with difficulty and therefore able to move outside of its basic support.Handle
, elastic bands on the stirrup, straps from the stirrup strap or stirrup to the harness, raised knee rolls and / or pommel away from the body, 1 or 2 whips, only needs with head greetings, use of voices, seat cover, no stirrups, Devonshire boots, Andersen stirrups
Profile 11 : Wheelchair users with good trunk and arm control and some hip control; can tilt the pelvis well, possibly missing legs
11b : amputation and longer stump
rubber bands on the stirrup, straps from the stirrup or stirrup to the girth, raised knee rolls and / or pommel away from the body, 1 or 2 whips, only needs to say hello, use of voices, Seat cover, no stirrups, Devonshire boots ~ Andersen stirrups
Profile 14 : can walk; one half of the body is only slightly usable; can usually only balance the good leg without help; the disturbed body equilibrium makes it difficult to keep the balance on the horse
Handle, elastic bands on the hill, straps from the stirrup or stirrup to the girth, connecting cross strut, 1 whip, only needs to say the head, use of voices, seat cover, no stirrups, Devonshire boots, Andersen ~ Stirrups, rides one-handed
Profile 17 : can walk; both legs are seriously impaired and act more as a support; may need crutches /
canes to walk l7a : little or no use of the pelvis possible; can therefore not control the horse with the pelvis
Handle, elastic bands on the stirrup, straps from the stirrup leathers or stirrups to the girth, 2 whips, only needs to say hello, use of voice, seat cover, no stirrups, Devonshire boots, Andersen stirrups
Profile 18 : can walk; one leg is seriously impaired and acts more as a support; other leg is better but not normal
18a : very little or no use of the pelvis; therefore cannot control the horse with the pelvis
Handle, rubber bands on the stirrup, straps from the stirrup leathers or stirrups to the harness, 2 whips. only needs to say hello, use of voice, seat cover, no stirrups, Devonshire boots, Andersen stirrups
Grade IV
Grade IV (formerly III) is the most common grade in Germany. L-level is ridden here. Athletes classified as B1 (blind) also start in this class.
Profile 15 : can walk; one half of the body is slightly impaired; also has a disturbed body equilibrium, can keep the balance on the horse easier
Handle, elastic bands on the stirrup, connecting cross struts, reins with loops, only need to use the head, use of the voice, seat cover, no stirrups, Devonshire boots, Andersen stirrups
Profile 17 : can walk; both legs are seriously impaired and act more as a support; may need crutch / cane to walk
17b : moderate to good pelvic control; can therefore control the horse with the pelvis
Handle rubber bands on the stirrup, straps from the stirrup leathers or stirrups to the girth, 2 whips, only needs to say hello, seat cover, no stirrups, Devonshire boots, Andersen stirrups
Profile 18 : can run; one leg is seriously impaired and acts more as a support; other leg is better, but not normal
18b : moderate to good pelvic control; can therefore control the horse with the pelvis
Handle, rubber bands on the stirrup, straps from stirrup leathers or stirrups to girth, 2 genes, only needs to say hello, seat cover, no stirrups, Devonshire boots, Andersen stirrups
Profile 19 : can walk; one leg is seriously impaired and acts more as a support; other leg is normal
19a : amputee riding without a prosthesis; Stump 10 cm or less
handle, elastic bands on the bar, 1 or no stirrup, seat cover, 1 whip
Profile 21: both arms seriously impaired or absent
reins with loops, reins attached to the saddle with a ring, only needs to say hello
Profile 25 : very small stature due to extremely short limbs, 129.5 cm or less
reins with loops, 1 or 2 whips, only needs to say hello
Profile 26 : slight impairment of all 4 limbs
26a : impaired coordination of the
handle, elastic bands on the stirrup, 1 or 2 whips, only needs to salute with the head, Devonshire boots, Andersen stirrups
Grade V
Lessons and traversals from the M level are added as requirements in Grade V (until 2016 Grade IV). In the freestyle, almost everything is shown except passage and piaffe.
Profile 16 : an upper limb is missing or of little use or not of use.
Handle, connecting cross strut, only needs to say hello, ride with one hand
Profile 19 : can walk; one leg is seriously impaired and acts more as a support; other leg is normal
19b paresis or amputee riding with prosthesis
rubber bands on the stirrup, straps from the stirrup strap or stirrup to the girth; Seat cover, 1 whip, Devonshire boots Andersen stirrups
Profile 20 : can run and run, but both legs are slightly impaired; z. B. mild to moderate bilateral paralysis (50% or less force in the lower leg)
elastic bands on the stirrup, 1 or 2 whips, Devonshire boots, Andersen stirrups
Profile 22 : both arms slightly impaired or missing below the elbow; but able to hold the reins with or without a prosthesis; The point system is used to assess whether rider is entitled to start in IPEC competitions
Profile 23 : one leg slightly impaired or missing below the knee (50% or less left of the lower leg), can usually run
Profile 24 : one arm slightly impaired, can hold reins with one hand, point system is used to assess whether a rider is entitled to start in IPEC competitions
Profile 26 : low impairment of all 4 limbs
26b : impairment of strength and reach
Handgrip, elastic bands on the handle, 1 or 2 whips, only need to say goodbye, Devonshire boots, Andersen stirrups
literature
- Klüwer, C. The specific effects of the horse in the areas of therapeutic riding, 2005
- Rules of Riding and Driving; German Equestrian Association, Volume 1, 2005
- Horse riding as a sport for the disabled; German Board of Trustees for Therapeutic Riding, 1998
- Susanne Stoldt: Construction of normality and self-images of adult riders with a physical or sensory disability, Tönning 2006, ISBN 3899594711
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Para-dressage sport on the website of the German Board of Trustees for Therapeutic Riding (DKThR)
- ↑ C. Klüwer, The specific effects of the horse, pp. 5–11, special edition of the DKThR, 2005
- ↑ a b c Gundula Lüdtke , national trainer of the Swiss Para-Riders, Brandenburg Prevention and Rehabilitation Association e. V. D-16818 Radensleben
- ^ A b c Franz-Martin Stankus , former national trainer of the German Parareiter, D-23730 Altenkrempe / Sibstin
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i FEI - Para Equestrian Classification Manual ( Memento of the original from March 13, 2017 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ EM in Gothenburg also season highlight for para-dressage riders , Uta Helkenberg / German Equestrian Association , February 28, 2017, accessed on March 12, 2017
