Vaulting is a sport that originated in Roman times involving gymnastics and dance performed on the back of a moving horse. It promotes coordination, balance, fitness and teamwork. Competitions involve both compulsory and freestyle routines performed at various skill levels. Successful vaulting requires fitness training as well as regular practice on equipment like barrels to improve skills before mounting a horse. Well-trained horses and specialized equipment are also key to ensuring safety. Presentation and synchronization between vaulters, horses and handlers are judged at competitions.

1. By Kelsey Smith

2. Vaulting is a performance sport in which I partake. It originates from
Roman times and is best described as “gymnastics and dance on
horseback”. Vaulters perform a routine to music on a moving horse
at either walk, trot or canter. This is a fun sport for all ages and skill
levels which promotes co-ordination, balance, physical health, self
esteem and the ability to work within a team environment.
http://equestrianvaulting.com.au/home

3. There are two main categories of performance:
 Compulsories are a set of moves that all vaulters must complete at
competitions before continuing with their individual, partner or team
freestyle routines. There are many different levels to suit different skill
levels, the main ones include A, B, C, D, and E. (A being a very skilled
competition vaulter, through to E being a beginner)
 Freestyle is a sequence of creative dynamic dance/gymnastics moves that
vaulters put together themselves to present as a routine.
Here is a photo of me and my team practising some vaulting.

4. Training and exercising, not only on the horse but also on the
floor is an essential part in keeping fit for this intense and
physically demanding sport.
Fitness exercises may include physical activities such as:
 Building stamina (running, exercise circuits)
 Building muscle strength (sit ups, push ups, squats etc.)
 Stretching to be more flexible
Horse Heaven (RDA) – Strength and balance training

5. Improving skills in vaulting can be achieved using equipment
such as a „barrel‟. This piece of equipment enables vaulters to
practise routines before performing new moves on the horse.
It is a safe way to train and it allows for more creative and
complicated ideas to be executed safely before moving on to
the horse.
Vaulting Barrel

6. Vaulting horses are a key aspect of the sport. They have to
have a good nature, are keen to learn, are calm and don‟t
mind everything that‟s happening around them. This includes
desensitising them to loud crowds, vaulters constantly
moving (gently) over their backs and other distractions. It
takes years of training to get a horse fully prepared for
competition level vaulting.
Horses must keep an even pace when cantering on the lunge
so that vaulters can stay balanced and safe. The horse, lunger
and vaulters must all be in harmony with one another so that
routines can be performed smoothly.

7. We use special equipment for vaulting. A soft pad is placed over the horses
back so that when we stand and do other moves, it‟s gentle on the horse.
We also use a „Vaulting Roller‟ to hold on to and execute particular moves .
Vaulting roller
Pad
Bridle
Lunge Rope
Here is a picture of what a fully equipped vaulting horse will look like

8. Presentation is essential in impressing the judges, especially in
high level competition. Vaulters wear custom made unitards and
must be well presented on competition day. Horses are also
groomed and braided up (tail and mane) as part of team
representation.
Vaulters must wear specially designed vaulting shoes, that have
soft soles which provide grip and are gentle on the horse‟s back.
My team taking a bow in front of the
judges before performing our routine

9. In competitive vaulting everyone must be graded and judged in
their skill level category. Top level vaulters compete as a team
and then as individuals representing their team (and country).
Individuals, pairs and teams are judged on degree of difficulty,
teamwork, rhythm with the horse, music and leotards
(presentation).
Most of the high level competition vaulting takes place over in
the Eastern states of Australia where there are more clubs and
facilities.
Click on the link below to watch the Australian Vaulting Team (FACE) training for competion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzdhSjFcPWg

10. Vaulting in Western Australia is mainly performed through
RDA centres (Riding for the Disabled Association). RDA
provides the opportunity for children with disabilities to take
part in a therapeutic sport where they will improve on hand-
eye coordination as well as learning from the horses and
sharing a common interest with their vaulting peers.
There are integrated teams that include abled and disabled
bodied vaulters competing together. These teams are usually
at lower skill levels of vaulting and are mostly just for fun.
http://www.rdawa.org.au/