HORSES + GYMNASTICS = Vaulting

Vaulting can be an enjoyable equestrian sport on its own or used to improve your riding seat and confidence.

- KAREN MCGEORGE SANDERS

Imagine a backbend … while on a horse … while the horse is moving. Sound impossible? Not if you’re a vaulter!

Vaulting is an equestrian sport involving gymnastics on a moving horse. Flags, mills, scissors, and stands are moves that vaulters perform. While most people have only seen vaulting at a circus, it’s an activity derived from ancient Crete and Rome using bulls and horses. Vaulting today is recognized for teaching coordination, teamwork, balance, strength, and creativity.

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

Before getting on a horse, vaulting positions should be mastered on a mat and a vaulting barrel. When vaulters get proficient, they move to a horse, ensuring the need for a team. To vault on a live horse, you need not only the horse, but a longueur and a coach.

Vaulting judge Mark Griffi this describes the contrast between practicing on stationary equipment versus a living horse as “the difference between working on a dry noodle versus a wet noodle.”

Freedom of movement is critical to vaulters and different from other riding disciplines. Vaulters can’t wear chaps or boots—footwear is socks or gymnastics slippers. Did you notice there was no mention of headgear? Hats and helmets obstruct vision, can snag on the surcingle, and could even hit a teammate when sharing space on a horse.