Discipline - Vaulting
Introduction to Vaulting
Vaulting is a unique and growing sport that combines gymnastics and dance on a moving horse. It's a wonderful way to develop coordination, balance, strength, and creativity while working in harmony with your equine partner.
Some trace the origins of vaulting as a teaching exercise used by the Romans. Others claim it has its roots in the bull dancers of ancient Crete. In either case, people have been performing acrobatic and dance-like movements on the backs of moving horses for more than 2,000 years. The name of the sport comes from the French "La Voltige," which it acquired during the Renaissance, when it was a form of riding drill and agility exercise for knights and noblemen. Modern vaulting was developed in post-war Germany to introduce children to equestrian sports. Today it's one of the ten equestrian disciplines recognized by the Federation Equestré International (FEI) and is part of the World Equestrian Games.
Vaulting is enjoyed as a competitive sport, excellent training for amateur riders, entertainment and as physical therapy for special needs riders.
COMPETITIVE VAULTING
In competitive vaulting, vaulters compete as individuals, pairs or pas-de-deux, and teams. Beginning vaulters will compete at the walk (and in the US at the trot) but upper level vaulters perform on the horse at a canter. The vaulting horse, which has been carefully trained, moves in a 15-metre circle and is controlled by a longeur (or lunger).
Vaulting competitions are comprised of compulsory exercises and choreographed freestyle exercises done to music. There are six compulsories exercises-the mount, riding seat, flag, mill, scissors, stand, flank and dismount. Each exercise is scored on a scale from 0-10. Horse, lunger and vaulter are considered a competitive unit and the performance of each is reflected in the final score.
Vaulters also compete in freestyle (previously known as Kur). The components of a freestyle vaulting routine may include mounts and dismounts, handstands, kneeling, standing and aerial moves such as flips. Teams will also carry, lift, and toss another vaulter in the air. Judging is based on technique, form, difficulty, balance, security, and consideration of the horse and lunger.
Vaulting horses are not saddled but they do wear a surcingle (or a roller) and a thick back pad. The surcingle has special handles that aid the vaulter in performing certain moves as well as leather loops called cossack stirrups. The horse wears a bridle and side reins. The lunge line is usually attached to the inside bit ring.
Vaulting horses typically move on the left rein (counterclockwise), but in certain kinds of competitions the horse will canter in the other direction. Two-phase classes of competition also work the horse to the right. While many European teams do not work to the right, many American vaulting clubs work to the right believing this benefits the horse and the vaulter.
NON-COMPETITIVE VAULTING
In addition to competition, vaulting is also a form of artistry and entertainment. Cavalia, the blockbuster equestrian theatrical show from Canada, includes a vaulting section.
Many people, from adults to very young children, learn to vault just for the fun of it.
THERAPEUTIC VAULTING
Therapeutic or Interactive Vaulting is also used as form of treatment for children and adults who may have balance, attention, motor skill or social deficits.
Special needs vaulters of all ages learn to better themselves both physically and mentally through this unique sport.
THE HORSE
It takes a very special kind of horse to become a vaulting horse; good character and temperament being essential. Draft or draft crosses are popular types of horses for vaulting because of their size and personality. The athletic prowess and skills required of the vaulters can only be exhibited to their full potential if their exists a true complicity between vaulter, horse and lunger as the full expression of the vaulter's talent can only be achieved through the harmonious inter-action between all three.
