FEI announces para-equestrian nations for Rio 2016

Thirty nations have been confirmed for para-equestrian dressage. 24 Mar 2016

Joann Formosa won individual gold in grade Ib at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, securing Australia’s first gold medal since Sydney. Australia is one of 14 nations to secure a team Para-Equestrian Dressage slot at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

ⒸFEI/Liz Gregg

By FEI

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has announced the 30 nations that will go for medals at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, where para-equestrian dressage will celebrate 20 years in the Paralympic Movement.

Uruguay will be sending their first para-equestrian dressage athlete to the Paralympics. Five will debut at the Olympic Games, where 43 nations earned qualification to Rio.

“We are thrilled to be welcoming new nations to the Olympic and Paralympic equestrian family and to have 43 flags at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and 30 for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.

“It’s a testament to the increasing global appeal and universality of our sport to see equestrianism represented at the top level in so many countries. The Olympic and Paralympic Games are the pinnacle of our sport and we are looking forward to absolutely top class equestrian action during both Games.”

The Rio 2016 para-equestrian dressage action kicks off on 11 September for what promises to be the largest celebration yet of high-performance sport for people with an impairment, where athletes will target individual medals across grades Ia, Ib, II, III and IV, as well as team medals.

The full list of qualified Paralympic nations with summaries are below:

Para-Equestrian Dressage - maximum 78 starters

30 nations: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay, USA.

14 teams: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, USA.

2 nations can field composite teams: France (4 individual slots) and Russia (3 individual slots).

15 nations represented by individuals only: Argentina, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Latvia, Mexico, Portugal, Slovakia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay.

All documents on the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games qualification process can be accessed at the FEI’s website.