VAULTING FOR VICTORY

Vaulting is often described as gymnastics on a pony. It involves up to six vaulters performing gymnastic or dance style moves on horseback while the horse walks, trots or canters on the lunge moving in a 15-metre circle. Vaulting is a test of the vaulter’s balance, rhythm and strength, but it’s also loads of fun and a great way to improve your riding.

History

It is thought that vaulting as a sport could be more than 2000 years old! In Ancient Rome, acrobats would show off their skills by leaping over horses’ backs, and throughout history, the ability to vault has been seen as a great skill to acquire. Vaulting was even part of the French soldiers’ training regime in the Middle Ages!

Vaulting grew in popularity as a spectator sport over the years and was often performed at the circus before becoming recognised by the FEI in 1983.

Who can do it?

You don’t have to be a rider to try vaulting, although it does help to have a good understanding of horses. People who enjoy dance, martial arts and gymnastics are very well suited to vaulting.

The moves

At a vaulting competition, each routine is done to music, and there are certain moves that every vaulter must show, as well as a section where they can freestyle! Some of the moves performed include:

• Vault on: In this move, a vaulter must jump onto the horse while he is moving.

• Flag: This is where you kneel on the horse’s back; the vaulter raises one arm towards the horse’s ears and the opposite leg out towards the tail.

• Stand: The vaulter stands up straight on the horse’s back.

• Swing off: In this, the vaulter hangs off the horse’s side in a handstand position.

In team vaulting, the moves can be even more dramatic. In some moves, vaulters are even thrown into the air by their teammates!

The horse

Vaulting horses must be calm and keep a perfect rhythm on the lunge. They wear certain tack to protect their back and allow the vaulter to perform their movements safely. An extra thick backpad is worn underneath a surcingle with cossack stirrups attached. These padded loops sit much higher up on the surcingle than where regular stirrups sit on the saddle. The horse wears a bridle, but no reins are attached because the horse is fully controlled by the person lunging him.

Competition

In 1986, the FEI hosted the first vaulting world championship, and in 1990, vaulting was included at the World Equestrian Games in Stockholm. It was so popular that it has been included in the games ever since.

Competitors can choose to either vault individually or as part of a team, and each move is scored out of 10 by the judges. Judges look for balance, security and form, but it’s not all down to the vaulter – how the horse moves counts for 25% of the total score!

Give it a go!

There are many places in South Africa where you can try vaulting. Usually, you start by practising moves on a wooden horse before trying vaulting on a real horse. From here, you’ll learn everything in walk, and the moves are very simple, to begin with, such as sitting on the backpad and holding your arms out to the side.

Let us know if you decide to give it a go and send us a few pics!

www.tackntogs.co.za

Tel: (011) 468 1824 or 0861 midfeeds Emergency: 082 499 8684 Email: midfeedspty@mweb.co.za Address: 63 Karee Rd, Cr of Main Road, Blue Hills, Kyalami.