What challenges do para-riders face?

Written by Bryanna Tanase

Although para-riders around the world face many challenges in their quest to be involved in sport, I will focus specifically on the USA, as it is the country I ride in and I am most familiar with the state of para-equestrian sports here.

There is still a great deal of stigma around the para-equestrian community. Many people are unsure about riders with disabilities participating in sport, but we know the risks it entails and are prepared to accept them, just like every other rider. Ableism is rampant within equestrian circles, and riders with disabilities are often turned away from lesson programs due to the liability involved, and the unaccommodating and close-minded nature of program staff. There have been many times I have been told to go somewhere else despite my enthusiasm for horses and sport, willingness to learn, and desire to assist with the day to day needs of the barn however I can. If the attitude of the facility staff is not an issue, another roadblock comes in the form of the accessibility of the facility itself. The main issue is that many stables in my area do not have a safe way for me to mount and dismount, but sometimes the accessibility can be so poor that I cannot get to the barn aisles to see the horses. Even if I suggest a solution to these issues that would not be too much of a hassle to implement, I am met with unwillingness to accommodate. Additionally, if we overcome the first two obstacles, there may not be a safe horse in the barn for me to ride. Sometimes, no matter how much the barn staff wants to help, there is no prudent way for me to ride and be engaged in the culture at a barn, so I have to give up on the opportunity and try to find something else. I would like to branch out from therapeutic riding centers to experience an able-bodied dressage barn, but I cannot do that without support from the staff there. I appreciate the few willing souls running able bodied barns that have tried to work with me recently, even if things did not work out in the end. Your support gives me hope that we can change the landscape of the industry and foster open-mindedness

There is also a lack of widespread access to resources and development opportunities for para-equestrians, both because of financial and geographic barriers. There are many clinics and seminars I would like to attend to help myself become a better rider and horsewoman, but they are often 2-4 hours away, and traveling that far is a once in a lifetime possibility. There also needs to be a greater proportion of therapeutic riding centers designated as Centers of Excellence. This way the top-notch programs offered at these facilities can reach a wider audience and inspire more people with disabilities to join in the joy of horses and para-equestrian sport. Financially, many para-equestrians often face greater hardship than their able-bodied counterparts, due to having to customize their equipment or purchase their own lift or sling for mounting, for example. These modifications and tools can be quite costly.