Equestrian Vaulting is for everyone!
If you love horses, dance, gymnastics and fun, equestrian vaulting wants you! It's a wonderful way to develop coordination, balance, strength, and creativity while working in harmony with the horse.
Who can vault?
Anyone! Vaulting programs are not for only competitive teams. One of the beauties of this terrific sport is that vaulters can be pre-schoolers or adults—and any age in between!
Do the horses like to vault?
Yes. Chosen specifically for their disposition, vaulting horses are also in excellent physical shape, and are given lots of love and attention by their trainers and their vaulters.
Is vaulting a team or individual sport?
Both! Vaulters may participate individually, in pairs, or as part of a team. In team competition, up to three members of the team are on the horse at once, doing a variety of moves.
Is vaulting safe?
Yes. Many factors contribute to the safety of our sport including the fact that the horse is controlled at all times by an experienced, trained longeur. Vaulters are taught to condition their bodies with stretching and strengthening exercises, and are also taught safe mounts and dismounts at all levels. Also, most exercises are learned on a stationary apparatus, called a vaulting barrel, before they are performed on the horse.
What are some of the skills that vaulting helps develop?
Coordination,balance, strength , creativity.
In addition, vaulting teaches a whole set of "soft skills" that can't be overlooked—
Teamwork: Vaulters learn to work together with both the horse and longeur; and in team competition, with each other as well.
Responsibility: Vaulters are responsible for a variety of horse duties each lesson (depending on vaulter age and level).
Trust: Vaulters learn to trust their longeur, their horse, and, most importantly, each other. As vaulters mature in the sport, trust in their teammates also grows.
Self confidence: How does one not have self confidence when you can stand on the back of a moving horse!
Do I have to know how to ride a horse to begin vaulting?
No, you don't need to be able to ride to vault, but vaulting can greatly improve your riding skills.