Vaulting is run on Thursday afternoons from 4pm to 6pm in the indoor arena, and is $20 for the 2 hours. Equestrian vaulting is most often described as gymnastics and dance on horseback. Vaulting is a relatively new sport to Australia, but it has long been established in Europe and America. It is an ancient sport dating back to the Minoan period
It is an internationally competitive sport. Vaulting is one of the 6 official international FEI (Federation Equestrienne Internationale) sports. It is a World Equestrian Games Sport, (which occurs through out the world every four years), and there is also European Championships every alternate four years.
Vaulting is gymnastics on horseback and combines the skills of both gymnastics and horsemanship. It provides for both individual and 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 equestrian sports.
In competitive vaulting, vaulters compete as individuals, pairs or pas-de-deux, and teams. Beginning vaulters will compete at the walk (and in the US at the trot) but copper-, bronze-, silver-, and gold-medal level vaulters perform on the horse at a canter. The vaulting horse, which has been carefully trained, moves in a 15-metre circle and is controlled by a longeur (or lunger).
Vaulting competitions are comprised of compulsory exercises and choreographed freestyle exercises done to music. There are six compulsories exercises—the mount, basic seat, flag, mill, scissors, stand, flank and dismount. Each exercise is scored on a scale from 0-10. Horses also receive a score and are judged on the quality of their gait.
Vaulters also compete in freestyle (previously known as Kur). The components of a freestyle vaulting routine MAY include mounts and dismounts, handstands, kneeling and standing and aerial moves such flips. Teams will also carry, lifting, and even toss another vaulter in the air. Judging is based on technique, performance, form, difficulty, balance, security, and consideration of the horse—the horse as well as the vaulter earns a score.
In competitions there are compulsory routines as well as freestyle and it is all performed to music, so musical interpretation is also important.
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 practiced 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 rigors of competition, and of regular practice, which is essential for improvement, both the vaulter and 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 practice and use.
| NEGS Vaulting started in April 2008, and now has 20 vaulters. Some are recreational vaulters (just vaulting for fun) and some are competitive vaulters. Since starting NEGS Vaulting has had outstanding success at NSW and Qld State Championships, as well as at the Nationals, where our vaulting horse, King Toblerone (16HH Percheron Gelding), received Best unofficial Vaulting Horse.
The centre has Sarah Venamore (NCAS EFA Level 2, Level 2 Vaulting Judge, Official Lunger), as their coach, and other coaches and lungers are being trained. The centre has already had external training days for other vautlers to train with ours, and we plan to have many more.
An on going vaulting program is provided by NEGS Equestrian from beginners on. You don’t have to be a gymnast or rider to start. The team takes children from 5 years of age. Lessons cost $20 for two hours.
Further information can be obtained from phoning the centre on 67748717.
Our current vaulting horses are:
King Toblerone (Toby)- 16hh Percheron Grey Gelding
Topi - 15.2hh Topiano Gelding
HP Fonzeralli (Fonz) - 17hh Bay Warmblood Gelding
Roanni - 17.2hh Bay Warmblood Gelding
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Vaulting |