Sports
Equestrian Paralympics 2024 2024: A Full Review of the Paris Games
The Equestrian Paralympics 2024 2024 held in Paris, France, from 3rd to 7th September 2024, were a spectacular celebration of athleticism, grace, and determination. This edition brought together some of the world’s finest para-equestrian athletes to compete in 11 thrilling events. Hosted at a world-class venue in the heart of Paris, the competition showcased the incredible bond between riders and horses, underscored by precision, rhythm, and resilience.
With 76 participants—16 men and 60 women—representing 30 nations, the equestrian events at the Paralympics 2024 were a global affair. The performance levels were high, with records broken, legends reaffirmed, and rising stars unveiled on the grandest stage.
Equestrian Paralympics 2024: Event Overview
| Host City | Dates | Events | Countries | Participants |
| Paris, France 🇫🇷 | 03 – 07 September 2024 | 11 | 30 | 76 (16 men, 60 women) |
This concise overview shows the magnitude and inclusivity of the Equestrian Paralympics 2024 2024, which was not only a major sporting occasion but a cultural celebration of accessibility, equality, and equine excellence.
Medal Standings – Equestrian Paralympics 2024 2024
At the end of the competition, the United States of America 🇺🇸 emerged at the top of the medal standings, securing five gold medals, with stellar performances across multiple grades. The Netherlands 🇳🇱 followed with a solid mix of two golds and four silvers, while Latvia 🇱🇻 and Belgium 🇧🇪 each won two golds.
Here is the full medal standings table:
| Rank | Country | 🥇 Gold | 🥈 Silver | 🥉 Bronze |
| 1 | 🇺🇸 USA | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| 3 | 🇱🇻 Latvia | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | 🇧🇪 Belgium | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | 🇩🇪 Germany | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 5 | 🇬🇧 Great Britain | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| 6 | 🇮🇹 Italy | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 7 | 🇩🇰 Denmark | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Events and Champions of Equestrian Paralympics 2024
The competition in Paris 2024 was divided into ten individual Dressage events and one Mixed Dressage Team event. Athletes competed in five championship grades and five freestyle grades based on their functional profiles, ensuring a fair and competitive field for all participants.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the events and medallists:
Dressage – Championship Grade I
- 🥇 🇱🇻 Rihards Snikus
- 🥈 🇺🇸 Roxanne Trunnell
- 🥉 🇮🇹 Sara Morganti
Dressage – Championship Grade II
- 🥇 🇺🇸 Fiona Howard
- 🥈 🇩🇰 Katrine Kristensen
- 🥉 🇬🇧 Georgia Wilson
Dressage – Championship Grade III
- 🥇 🇺🇸 Rebecca Hart
- 🥈 🇳🇱 Rixt van der Horst
- 🥉 🇬🇧 Natasha Baker
Dressage – Championship Grade IV
- 🥇 🇳🇱 Demi Haerkens
- 🥈 🇳🇱 Sanne Voets
- 🥉 🇩🇪 Anna-Lena Niehues
Dressage – Championship Grade V
- 🥇 🇧🇪 Michele George
- 🥈 🇩🇪 Regine Mispelkamp
- 🥉 🇬🇧 Sophie Wells
Dressage – Freestyle Grade I
- 🥇 🇱🇻 Rihards Snikus
- 🥈 🇮🇹 Sara Morganti
- 🥉 🇬🇧 Mari Durward-Akhurst
Dressage – Freestyle Grade II
- 🥇 🇺🇸 Fiona Howard
- 🥈 🇬🇧 Georgia Wilson
- 🥉 🇩🇪 Heidemarie Dresing
Dressage – Freestyle Grade III
- 🥇 🇺🇸 Rebecca Hart
- 🥈 🇳🇱 Rixt van der Horst
- 🥉 🇬🇧 Natasha Baker
Dressage – Freestyle Grade IV
- 🥇 🇳🇱 Demi Haerkens
- 🥈 🇩🇪 Anna-Lena Niehues
- 🥉 🇺🇸 Kate Shoemaker
Dressage – Freestyle Grade V
- 🥇 🇧🇪 Michele George
- 🥈 🇩🇪 Regine Mispelkamp
- 🥉 🇬🇧 Sophie Wells
Mixed Dressage Team Grade I-V
- 🥇 🇺🇸 United States of America
- 🥈 🇳🇱 Netherlands
- 🥉 🇩🇪 Germany
Highlights of the Equestrian Paralympics 2024
The Equestrian Paralympics 2024 delivered several standout moments:
1. Rihards Snikus 🇱🇻 Dominates Grade I
Latvia’s Rihards Snikus was the only individual to clinch double gold in both the Championship and Freestyle Grade I categories, solidifying his place among para-equestrian legends.
2. Rebecca Hart 🇺🇸 Shines in Grade III
The American champion made a powerful statement with double gold wins in both the Championship and Freestyle Grade III categories, helping the United States secure their top position in the medal tally.
3. Netherlands 🇳🇱: Powerhouse in Grade IV
Demi Haerkens showcased extraordinary talent by sweeping both the Championship and Freestyle Grade IV events. Along with teammate Sanne Voets and consistent team performance, Netherlands maintained a strong overall standing.
4. Michele George 🇧🇪 Adds to Her Legacy
Belgium’s Michele George, a Paralympic veteran, proved her elite status once again by winning both the Championship and Freestyle Grade V titles.
5. Team USA 🇺🇸 Triumphs
Capping off their success, the United States Dressage Team won gold in the Mixed Dressage Team event, confirming their overall dominance at the games.
Importance of Classification in Equestrian Paralympics
The Equestrian Paralympics 2024 continued to emphasize the importance of fair competition through the Grade I-V classification system. Each grade ensures riders with similar physical capabilities compete against one another, maintaining integrity and parity.
- Grade I: Severe impairments affecting all limbs and trunk.
- Grade II: Significant impairments, especially in lower limbs.
- Grade III: Moderate impairment with more upper-body control.
- Grade IV: Impairments in one or two limbs or vision impairment.
- Grade V: Least impairment, including mild coordination or strength issues.
This classification allows athletes of all ability levels to participate and compete for medals fairly.
The Spirit of the Paralympic Movement
The Equestrian Paralympics 2024 2024 perfectly embodied the core values of the Paralympic Movement: courage, determination, inspiration, and equality. The event was a testament to human spirit, as riders overcame physical limitations to deliver beautiful, precise, and emotional performances.
Spectators witnessed moments of raw emotion—tears of joy, close finishes, and breathtaking freestyle routines that left audiences applauding for minutes. Horses too were celebrated as equal partners in performance, trained with patience, skill, and compassion.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Para-Equestrian Sport
As the curtain closes on the Equestrian Paralympics 2024, the global para-equestrian community now looks forward to continued growth in athlete participation, investment in adaptive equestrian programs, and enhanced international cooperation.
With increased exposure from mainstream media and digital platforms, more young riders with disabilities are expected to take up the sport, inspired by champions like Fiona Howard 🇺🇸, Demi Haerkens 🇳🇱, and Rihards Snikus 🇱🇻.
Final Thoughts
The Equestrian Paralympics 2024 2024 in Paris was more than just a sporting event—it was a movement of empowerment. Through passion, partnership, and performance, the riders showcased their excellence, inspiring millions around the world.
In every gallop, trot, and pirouette, the spirit of perseverance prevailed. From established names defending titles to debutants making their mark, the event proved why para-equestrian sport holds a special place in the Paralympic program.
The heart of the sport remains unchanged: a deep connection between rider and horse, a testament to trust, training, and mutual respect. As we celebrate the victories and the unforgettable moments of Equestrian Paralympics 2024, the legacy of Paris will continue to inspire generations to come.
