It is a graded system based on the degree of physical or visual disability and handled at the international level by the FEI.
[6] They defined cerebral palsy as a non-progressive brain legion that results in impairment.
People with cerebral palsy or non-progressive brain damage were eligible for classification by them.
For their classification system, people with spina bifida were not eligible unless they had medical evidence of loco-motor dysfunction.
People with cerebral palsy and epilepsy were eligible provided the condition did not interfere with their ability to compete.
[10] When the sport was undergoing growth in 1995, a classification system was established in order to provide a level playing field for competitors.
[11] At the New York hosted Empire State Games for the Physically Challenged, para-equestrian competition was broken into hearing and vision impaired classifications, amputee classifications, Les Autres, cerebral palsy and spinal cord disabilities.
[14] Because of issues in objectively identifying functionality that plagued the post Barcelona Games, the IPC unveiled plans to develop a new classification system in 2003.
This classification system went into effect in 2007, and defined ten different disability types that were eligible to participate on the Paralympic level.
[15] Going forward, disability sport's major classification body, the International Paralympic Committee, is working on improving classification to be more of an evidence-based system as opposed to a performance-based system so as not to punish elite athletes whose performance makes them appear in a higher class alongside competitors who train less.
Part of the process involves observing the competitor riding and doing a bench press.
For this reason, classifiers do not observe a rider on their horse prior to the bench press to avoid assessing skill at functionality.
[15] During classification, classifiers look at several things including a rider's mobility, strength and coordination.
[20] The classification system in para-equestrian has been criticized by some riders as not fully taking into account disabilities that have fluctuations in a person's regular functional abilities.
"[24] In 2008, BBC Sport defined this classification was "Grade 1: Severely disabled riders with cerebral palsy, les autres and spinal cord injury"[23] In 2011, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) defined this classification as: "Riders compete in four mixed disability groups or ‘grades’, with Grade 1 split into two sub-categories (1a and 1b).
"[25] In 2008, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation defined this classification was "GRADE I: These riders are mainly wheelchair users who have poor trunk balance and/or impaired function in all four limbs or good upper limb control but no trunk balance.
"[27] The Australian Paralympic Committee defined this classification as: "Grade I: Athletes with a physical disability.
"[24] In 2008, BBC Sport defined this classification was "Grade 3: Athletes with reasonable balance and abdominal control including amputees"[23] In 2008, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation defined this classification was "GRADE III: These riders are mainly wheelchair users or people who have severe movement impairment involving the lower half and with mild to good upper limb function, or severe impairment on one side of the body. "
"[27] The Australian Paralympic Committee defined this classification as: "Grade III: Athletes with a physical disability.
"[24] In 2008, BBC Sport defined this classification was "Grade 4: Athletes with good balance, leg movement and coordination including blind athletes"[23] In 2011, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games defined this classification as: "The visually-impaired compete alongside those with a physical disability in Grades 4 and 5 only.
"[27] The Australian Paralympic Committee defined this classification as: "Grade IV: Athletes with a physical disability or vision impairment.
Riders with a vision impairment who compete in this class have total loss of sight in both eyes (B1).
"[28] As of July 2016, the International Paralympic Committee defines Grade 3 on their website as "Athletes in grade III have a severe impairment or deficiency of both upper limbs or a moderate impairment of all four limbs or short stature.
Athletes in grade III are able to walk and generally do not require a wheelchair in daily life.
[15][28] Riders may not use their voice to guide the horse during competition unless their classifier has specifically allowed for this.
"[24] In 2008, BBC Sport defined this classification was "Grade 5: Ambulant athletes (those able to walk independently) with either impaired vision or impaired arm or leg function"[23] In 2011, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games defined this classification as: "The visually-impaired compete alongside those with a physical disability in Grades 4 and 5 only.
"[26] Federation Equestre International defines this classification as "At this level the rider will ride an elementary/medium level test"[27] The Australian Paralympic Committee defined this classification as: "Grade V: Athletes with a physical disability or vision impairment.
"[28] As of July 2016, the International Paralympic Committee defines Grade 5 on their website as "Athletes in Grade V have a mild impairment of range of movement or muscle strength or a deficiency of one limb or mild deficiency of two limbs.
[28] Riders may not use their voice to guide the horse during competition unless their classifier has specifically allowed for this.
[15] This class is for people who use a wheelchair on a daily basis, and have limited trunk functionality and impairments in their upper limbs.