Riders are graded according to their ability, rather than the ability of the horse. The club grading officer can help individuals decide what grade to join at.
Grades are as follows:
| Grade | Height | Spread |
| Primary | 0.70m | 0.60m |
| Adv. Primary | 0.80m | 0.80m |
| Intermediate | 0.90m | 0.90m |
| Adv. Intermediate | 1m | 1m |
| Open | 1.10m | 1.10m |
| Adv. Open | 1.20m | 1.20m |
Primary and Adv. Primary classes are run using Optimum time to decide placing; competitions in grades above these levels are normally run as jump-off classes against the clock. AIRC rules broadly follow SJI, Dressage Ireland and Eventing Ireland rules, detailed rules can be downloaded from the AIRC website. www.airc.ie.
The website also has a calendar of events, list of all clubs details including secretaries whom you can contact to get more info about an event you are interested in. The website also has a calendar of events, list of all clubs details including secretaries whom you can contact to get more info about an event you are interested in. Dressage tests can also be downloaded from the AIRC website.
