What is equestrian vaulting?
Equestrian Vaulting is a combination of dance and gymnastics preformed to music on a horse at the walk, trot or canter. Along with show jumping, dressage, eventing, driving, endurance and reining, vaulting is one of the seven nationally (USEF) and internationally (FEI) recognized equestrian disciplines.
Vaulting is best described as gymnastics on the back of a moving horse which is worked on a circle, under the control of a lunger. It is a unique and growing sport here in New Zealand. Vaulting combines beauty, power, strength, dance and gymnastics all in harmony with the horse. A wonderful way to develop co-ordination, balance, strength and creativity. OPPORTUNITIES: Vaulting is an all year round sport, a covered and outdoor arena is used for working the horses (depending on the weather) along side the barrel (or practice horse) In very bad weather a lot of training is done on specially built barrels or using facilities in a local gym. In fact barrel events are held at most competitions and are ideal for winter time when weather is cold and wet. WHO CAN VAULT? Anyone! Vaulting programs are not only for competitive teams but include Recreational Groups, Pony Clubs, Riding Clubs and are ideal for therapeutic activity for those with disabilities. Vaulting internationally is recognised as
Equestrian vaulting is an equestrian sport which combines dance, gymnastics, and horsemanship. Participants in equestrian vaulting perform a variety of gymnastics moves on the back of a moving horse, either individually or in teams. Vaulting, as it is sometimes called, is practiced all over the world, with German vaulting teams being particularly famous, and a wide variety of horse breeds are used in vaulting. The history of vaulting is ancient, and it may well be one of the oldest equestrian sports. Evidence in art suggests that people have been performing gymnastics on moving horses since at least 1,000 CE, and the Romans integrated a form of vaulting into their cavalry training. Equestrian vaulting continues to be practiced by modern cavalry and mounted law enforcement officers, as a way of making riders confident and secure on their horses and to create a bond between horses and riders. In vaulting, the horse is controlled by a longeur, a person who stands in the middle of the ring
Equestrian Vaulting is best described as gymnastics on horseback. Yes real, live, moving horses! It originated from Roman times, and it is where the pommel horse and vault horse in gymnastics arose. The horse canters or walks in a circle, and the vaulters perform compulsory and freestyle exercises to music. This can either be done individually or in teams. Teams may have 2 or 3 vaulters on the horse at once.
