Ahead of the 2026 World Championships in Aachen, British Paralympic and European para dressage medallists have called for increased awareness and spectatorship to highlight the sport as an elite discipline. Riders like Mari Durward-Akhurst and Sophie Wells emphasise the need for better visibility to inspire others and address challenges such as low entries. British Dressage affirms its commitment to promoting para events equally with able-bodied competitions.
Britain has long led in para dressage, securing medals at major international events since the discipline's introduction at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics. However, Paralympic and European medallist Mari Durward-Akhurst argues that more effort is needed to raise awareness domestically. She has set a personal goal this year to boost the sport's visibility, using social media to spark discussions.
"When I do public speaking many people still say they haven’t heard of para dressage or don’t know anything about it, including some horsey people," Durward-Akhurst told Horse & Hound. "It’s such a fantastic sport, but it’s not talked about that much alongside dressage and I think it should be spoken about as the elite sport it is."
Durward-Akhurst seeks more spectators at competitions, countering perceptions that para events, such as grade one walk tests, might seem unexciting. She cited the 2019 European Championships in Rotterdam, where para dressage alongside showjumping and able-bodied dressage drew large crowds, with attendees expressing interest in returning. Greater exposure could benefit horses by acclimatising them to crowds before championships and help para riders secure sponsors and owners, amid ongoing concerns.
Challenges persist, including organisers' worries over rising costs and insufficient entries. "We don’t always have the numbers; I went to a qualifier recently and I was the only grade one – so the organisers will think, ‘Why run para classes?’" Durward-Akhurst said. She hopes increased attendance might encourage hosting at larger events or para displays.
Paralympic medallist Sophie Wells supports this, noting the sport's inspirational value. "There’s so much the general public can take from the sport – but it’s having the platform to do it and get people interested," she said. "We want to get the sport out there, we’ve got people that have amazing and inspiring stories and can be role models. If no one’s watching, you don’t get into that public space and then the younger generation or people at home who maybe have a disability and don’t think anything is possible don’t see what can be achieved and what some of our riders overcome."
Olympic dressage rider Spencer Wilton, who became technical advisor to the British para team last year and attended the Europeans in Ermelo, highlighted the lack of personal stories about para riders. "I think in para dressage we’re maybe lacking riders’ stories – people know all about the Whitakers or Laura Collett for example," he told Horse & Hound. "People love to get to know riders, they become personalities and characters, and I think this could be a good way to get more people interested."
At Hartpury, which hosts para fixtures with able-bodied events, organiser Kathryn Cadoux-Hudson noted spectator challenges due to live streaming and suggested explaining grade differences. "Having more awareness and understanding could help with interest," she said.
British Dressage communications manager Camille Peters stated the organisation is "deeply committed" to para sport. Major national para events, except the National Championships, are free, promoted via newsletters and live streams. Para receives equal digital coverage when run alongside non-disabled classes and features prominently in BD's magazine. "We provide extensive live coverage on our website and social media during major championships, where senior, para and youth teams are treated equally," Peters said. This parity will apply at the 2026 World Championships in Aachen. BD has expanded pathways for non-visible disabilities through partnerships with Virtus and SportExcel, promoting accessibility for all.
