Paradressage is a competitive equestrian dressage discipline tailored for athletes with disabilities, governed by precise rules and judging criteria identical to Olympic dressage. Central to the sport is a functional classification system that assigns athletes to one of five grades based on their disability, not ability, with each grade further divided into Novice, Intermediate, and Grand Prix categories reflecting increasing technical difficulty. The sport emphasizes fairness through regulated compensatory aids, graded competition arenas, and specific rules about instructor presence and assistance, ensuring athletes compete under equitable conditions. Judging focuses solely on the execution of the test, quality of gaits, and harmony between horse and rider, making Paradressage a highly demanding sport requiring rigorous technical preparation.

The discipline also highlights the importance of the horse’s quality, temperament, and adaptability, as even athletes competing at a walk face significant technical challenges. The competitive pathway is well-structured, starting from national classification and competitions, supported by training camps and federal programs, and advancing to international FEI events for those who demonstrate skill and consistency. This system fosters development from grassroots levels to elite competitions such as the European and World Championships and the Paralympic Games, promoting both sporting fairness and high-level competition.