Achievement Programs

Canadian drivers are invited to participate in the EC Combined Driving Achievement Awards program. This program recognizes drivers at all levels that have consistently performed to a high standard at EC/PTSO recognized combined driving events.

Criteria & Info

• Drivers may earn one Achievement Award per level. Scores may be earned with more than one turnout.
• Drivers must be current EC Sport Licence Holders in good standing and hold the appropriate sport licence for the level in which they are participating. An EC Sport Licence must be maintained for every year in which scores are accumulated, and for the year the award application is submitted.
• Scores from shows prior to obtaining and maintaining an EC Sport Licence will not count towards awards. Drivers must be in good standing prior to earning any scores they wish to submit.
• Applicants must be Canadian citizens or have Landed Immigrant status.

Combined Driving Achievement Awards are offered for the following levels:

Drivers may apply for Achievement Awards in one of two ways:

• After achieving the required three results, access the online portal and fill in the required information. Applications will be automatically forwarded to EC and the EC Driving Committee for review and processing.
• Download and print the results submission form. Drivers should keep ongoing records and mail the forms once complete to EC for processing.

Participants are encouraged to obtain copies of final results (photographs or copies of final event score sheets) and submit them with their applications. Hard copies can be mailed in with the application form, or can be uploaded online through the portal.

EC recognizes the annual achievements of riders and horse’s exceptional competition seasons through the point standings. The available standings are as follows:

• Junior Standings
  • National
  • International
  • Novice
• Senior Standings
  • National
  • International
  • Novice
• Horse Standings
  • International
  • Novice
  • National Best Condition Standings

Para dressage provides athletes with a physical or visual impairment the opportunity to compete against other athletes with similar abilities. Athletes are classified and given a “Grade” based on their functional ability and are then judged on their riding skill against other athletes of the same Grade. There are five (5) Grades of competitions in para-dressage: Grade I represents the more severely impaired athletes and Grade V represents the least severely impaired.

At each Grade, athletes may receive approval to use specific compensating aids during competition, which will be listed on the athlete’s classification profile. The purpose of compensating aids (sometimes known as adaptive tack or specialized equipment) is to level the competitive playing field. Examples of compensating aids include rubber bands to stirrups or two whips. While compensating aids are varied and can be unique to an athlete, they should never provide an advantage.

Many para dressage athletes also compete alongside dressage competitors in EC sanctioned competitions. All athletes with physical or visual impairment who intend to enter EC Silver and Gold competitions must be classified by an EC Para Equestrian Classifier.

2025 Classification Hubs

Ottawa Ontario Para Dressage Classification Hub

When: May 29 & 30, 2025
Where: Ottawa Dressage Festival, Wesley Clover Parks, 401 Corkstown Rd, Ottawa, ON K2H 8T1
Cost: $150 if actively competing / $225 if not
Registration Deadline: May 8, 2025

De Winton, Alberta Para Dressage Classification Hub

When: May 23 & 24, 2025
Where: Tilted Tiara Dressage CPEDI – Anderson Ranch – 1405 226 Ave W, De Winton, AB T0L 0X0
Cost: $150 if actively competing / $225 If Not
Registration Deadline: May 1, 2025

Bécancour, Quebec Para Dressage Classification Hub

When: July 11 & 12, 2025
Where: Bécancour Equestrian Complex (Québec), 3625 Rue des Albatros, Bécancour, QC G9H 3Y2
Cost: $150 if actively competing / $225 If Not
Registration Deadline: June 20, 2025

The Equestrian Canada Para Dressage Competition Pathway was developed to provide a structured progression for athletes who want to develop their skills and advance through the levels of competition. The framework provides a road map for athletes who wish to compete in para dressage at any level, from grassroots to international competition. The pathway indicates which tests should be performed at each stage of the pathway and when athletes need to get classified.

The pathway has four phases. Athletes set their own competition goals and progress at their own speed through the pathway. While some athletes may progress through all four phases to elite competition, others may choose to remain in a phase indefinitely.

The four phases are:

1. Introduction to sport: Foundational stage for athletes new to para dressage. Introduces athletes to the sport, while developing basic skills and fostering the love of competition. Prepares athletes for national level competitions in a supportive low-pressure environment and provides competitive experience in a structured manner.
2. Talent identification: Supports athletes identified as having the potential to excel. Prepares athletes for international competition. Athletes in this phase are focused on competing at the CPEDI2* level.
3. Development: Helps competent competitors refine their skills, expand their knowledge, and improve their overall performance to compete at the CPEDI3* level.
4. National: Focuses on high performance, elite level competition, including the Paralympic Games and World Championships. Supports athletes with the resources, coaching, and systems necessary to perform at the highest levels of competition on the global stage.

To learn more about the Equestrian Canada Para Dressage Competition Pathway, click here.

The Para Dressage Video Competition Series allows athletes to experience competition conditions in the comfort of their home stable and on a familiar horse.

To participate, riders simply have their performance recorded and submit the video to EC’s online Para-Dressage Video Competition Series Portal.

• Cost: $40 per class

The 2025 dates are as follows:

• April 2025
• May 2025
• September 2025
• October 2025