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About Vaulting
Vaulting is a relatively
new sport to Australia, but it is long established in Europe and North
America. Vaulting began in Australia with the mounted police.
Vaulting is gymnastics on horseback and combines the skills of both
gymnastics and horsemanship. It provides for both individual and also
for team participation in sport. A period of vaulting improves a riders
seat, balance, rhythm and coordination as well as their confidence on
the horse. In many clubs in Europe a period of vaulting is a
prerequisite to riding.
Vaulting is one of the most spectacular, and at the same time safest, of
the equestrian sports. It is an ancient sport dating back to the Minoan
period demonstrating flexibility and mobility whilst on horseback. This
was particularly important when horses were widely used in conflicts
(horses were active in war through to the end of WWII ). There are a
large number of competitors in North America and Europe with over 50,000
vaulters in Germany alone. In competition (similar to skating and
gymnastics) there are compulsory routines as well as freestyle and it is
all performed to music, so musical interpretation is also important.
It is an internationally competed sport and its competitions include
World Championships every two years, European Championships in the
alternate years and the World Equestrian Games which are held every four
years. In 1930's vaulting was also an Olympic discipline and has been
demonstrated at the last two Olympics.
Success in vaulting requires the training not only of the competitor but
also of the horse. The execution of the more difficult vaulting
movements requires high levels of agility and rhythm as well as
strength. The moves are practised on the floor and on a barrel before
being transferred to the horse. At the higher level, movements on the
horse are executed at the canter and for this to be done successfully
the vaulter must not only be in control of their own rhythm but must
also interpret and predict the rhythm and capabilities of the horse. In
order to withstand the rigours of competition, and of regular practice,
which is essential for improvement, both the vaulter and the horse need
to be fit. In addition, it is important for a group or team of vaulters
to have more than one horse available for practise and use.
Vaulting, although not one of the Olympic sports (in the Olympics
currently there is a limit of 3 equestrian sports) is one of the 6
official international FEI sports. Australia has been represented at
each of the World and European championships since 1994.
Source: National Equestrian Centre
At the moment Vaulting Clubs are active in NSW, ACT, SA and QLD. If you
wish to get more information about Vaulting please contact us:
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