For their first passage onto French territory, the European Para-dressage Championships were welcomed to Deauvilles’  « Pôle International du Cheval » by Handi Equi’ Compet. Taking place from the 17^th to the 20^th of September 2015  riders from the every corner of the continent were gathered.

On the eve of the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio, this competition will be THE meeting for the best European competitors in this discipline. Riders like José Letartre (FR – Grade III) double bronze winning rider at the last European Championships in Herning, Sophie Wells (GBR – Grade IV) who picked up silver at the 2014 World Equestrian Games or Pepo Puch (AUT – Grade Ib) who currently holds the World paralympic Champion title, participated amongst many others.

These championships were the occasion, for the regulars, to defend their titles, notably those accumulated during previous international competitions, and for the challengers to distinguish themselves.

The classes that make up this competition take place over three days and is divided into five categories depending on the riders impairment Grade: from Grade Ia (the athletes presenting the most severe impairment) to Grade IV (those with the least severe). In the hope of taking one of the eleven titles seen brought into play, the sportsmen and women will confront each other in the following classes: the « Team Test », a preliminary test, the « Individual Championship », an individual imposed test and the « Freestyle » on a musical composition of their choice. Thus an individual title is coveted in each grade on Saturday and Sunday, as well as a Team title at the end of the Nations Cup (Team Test + Individual Championship).

Possessing solid experience in running international para-equestrian events, such as the Deauville CPEDI^***, the Handi Equi’ Compet association has seen itself conferred the organization of this years’ European Para-dressage Championships by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI). Since its’ creation in 2007, this association has worked very hard to promote and develop top level para-equestrianism in France by means of two disciplines : para-dressage and para-showjumping.