Solid Gold: An Evening with Two USA 2024 Olympic Para-Dressage Triple Gold Medalists

The Indiana Dressage Society (IDS) has a history of providing outstanding educational programs for its members and last night (January 20, 2025) was no exception. The webinar was at no cost and open to all USDF members.

The IDS Education Committee originally organized a Webinar/Q&A session with Rebecca Hart (Grade 3 competitor), one of the US Triple Gold Medalists at the 2024 Para-Dressage Olympic Games. We were, however, surprised and excited to learn that Fiona Howard (Grade 2 competitor), the other US Olympic Para-Dressage Triple Gold Medalists would also be joining us for the webinar.

Both Olympic athletes were asked many questions about their sport, their riding background, and their Olympic experience at the Paris games.

One of the first questions asked was an explanation about Para-Dressage and what the differences were from able body Dressage. Rebecca and Fiona first clarified that Para does not mean “paralyzed” but refers to the sport being Parallel to able body dressage. The grading system (grades 1-5) were explained and what potential Para-riders need to do to compete. The first step is to become “Classified”. This requires the potential Para-Dressage rider to be evaluated by certified classifiers who determine the individual’s physical challenges and match those limitations against a set of criteria. Once classified and the compensatory aids that are permitted to be used (i.e. riding with two whips), the competitor may begin their journey competing in Para-Dressage.

When asked where a new Para-Rider must go to begin competing and where to find the Para-Dressage tests, our Olympians pointed out that any USEF/USDF competition may offer Para-Dressage classes. Para-Riders who are Classified need to contact show management and request that Para-Classes be included. Most show manages are more than willing to offer the classes. It was also noted that USEF Dressage Judges (S and R rating) are qualified to judge all Para-Dressage Classes. It was also noted that Para-Riders are permitted to ride in both Pra-Dressage and Traditional Dressage classes during a competition.

The auditors were interested in what a potential Para-Dressage rider should look for when trying to find a suitable horse. The consensus amongst Rebecca and Fiona was the “Brain” Finding a kind horse that is willing and can adapt to the rider’s aids, that may be different from able-bodied riders is important. A horse that is confident and reliable both at home and at competitions is also very important. Finally, the horse should have good gates (walk, trot, and canter). Even if the rider will only be doing walk/trot tests (Grades 1,2, and 3), it is important that the horse utilizes all three gates at home during training. When Rebecca and Fiona look for an FEI horse, their criteria are not any different, however, they want a horse with international quality gaits and an attitude that stands out in the show ring. It was interesting to hear from Fiona that the horse she rode in the Olympics, Diamond Dunes (owned by Dressage Family LLC & Hof Kasselmannan) an 11-year-old Hanoverian stallion, was new to her and that they had only been to 5 other competitions before the Olympic games. Rebecca Hart, a 5-time U.S. Para-Dressage team member, also rode her horse Floratina (owned by Rowan O’Riley) a 16-year-old Hanoverian mare to triple gold.  The U.S. team for the first time since the inception of Olympic Para-Dressage won the Team Gold.

When asked about the difference between Para-Dressage and able-bodied dressage and where to look for coaching, both Rebecca and Fiona pointed out that the basic method of scoring both disciplines is the same. Accuracy of movements, quality of gaits, etc. should be judged by the same standard. The major difference is that in Para-Dressage, judges cannot comment or penalize riders for their seat or position as each rider, with their own disability may have unique ways of riding and communicating with their horse. What matters is the impact of the communication and quality of the performance.  When it comes to training and coaching, it was pointed out that any qualified Instructor/Trainer can help the Para-Dressage rider, however, if the Instructor/Trainer is not familiar with the requirement, the USEF has abundant information on their website. There are several Para-Dressage Centers of Excellence across the country and one can find a listing of these sites as well as a list of Certified Para-Dressage Coaches on the USEF website.

Finally, we asked Rebecca and Fiona to describe their experience at the Paris Olympic and what it was like to compete in the ring in front of the Palace of Versailles.

The consensus was that it was almost overwhelming. Both Rebecca and Fiona stated that they had to work hard to focus and not be distracted by the opulence and electric setting. They were instructed by Michel Assouline, Chef d’Equipe and Team Leader Laureen Johnson, to stay off social media and not pay attention to what the media was saying about the US team. Rebecca pointed out that there is much greater pressure when you are touted to be the number one team and/or individual that others need to beat. The other challenge is that there was a 3-day delay from the Individual tests until the Team Tests. They had to decide how to keep the horses tuned up but not overworked. It was also a challenge keeping their mental focus and not overthinking. To help with this, some of the riders did trail riding through the woods at the palace.   Another interesting comment that Fiona added was that the Olympic Village was amazing. The village was crowded with all different Para-sport discipline athletes. Being in a wheelchair or on crutches was more common than not. The feeling in the Village was comfortable and inviting.

In conclusion, the hour webinar flew-by and I was taken-back by how open and giving these Para-Olympic athletes were. I felt that we were sitting down and talking to old friends. The U.S., the USDF, USEF, and our country should be proud of our Olympic performance but more important how amazing these athletes are and what outstanding representatives they are for our sport and country.

Recap by Ken Levy