Good to know...

(Photo: Joop Stokkel, NE top PE rider)
FEI (International Equestrian Federation) has written tests for each level of para-equestrian competition. While the tests are different than U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) dressage tests, the movements included make them roughly comparable to the following USEF levels:

Grades Ia and Ib are equivalent to Intro Level.
Grade II is equivalent to Training Level.
Grade III is equivalent to First Level.
Grade IV is equivalent to Third Level.
Para-equestrian riders can compete in open shows and can use special equipment or compensating aides (a whip in each hand, for example) as allowed by their "dispensation certificate" from the USEF. At open shows, riders with disabilities can choose to ride the standard USEF tests in able-bodied divisions, ride their FEI para-equestrian test as a test of choice, or do both.

Matt Trott

Matt is founder and inspiration for Spirit Open Equestrian Program. I met him 2006 in another Therapeutic Riding program and we started with TR lessons. His attitude, and skills made him improve so much in just a year, to become a solid Para dressage rider with future to compete...after several public presentation of his riding skills, he was ready to go... so with generous help of friends, Whitney, Lynne, Kate and more people who wanted to support Para dressage at that time...he competed in Colorado, and won twice!
His performance provide him invitation to Gladstone,PA National Equestrian Center.
At that time, he rode Morgan mare Charm...and it was promising combination...
Charm has been given away...
Matt and group of friends started Spirit Open Equestrian Program...
Louie, Morgan gelding been given to Spirit Program, so Matt competed at Morven Park VA making solid results, 2007. See it on this video.
After Louie left Spirit, too, we got Infinity, Morgan mare who was a good match for Matt, too....
Spirit Program and myself are proud to present Matt and his story here.

This picture from Morven Park,Equestrian Center, VA, 2009, when Wendy Schugol did great performance of requested tests in Para equestrian discipline shows main idea of vision we share...to celebrate ability and results of our riders. Para dressage is the way to do it.