FAQs
What is equestrian vaulting?
Vaulting is a unique sport combining dance and gymnastics on a moving horse. It's a wonderful way to develop coordination, balance, strength, and creativity while working in harmony with the horse.
Who can vault?
Anyone! Vaulting is not just for those who want to compete, but is for anyone to enjoy, whether for the love of our equine partners, as a recreational activity, a strength and conditioning sport, or for the love of competition.
Is it like trick riding or circus riding?
No. Vaulting is always done in a very controlled environment— in a fully enclosed arena in a consistent, large circle, in soft footing, with the horse attached to a "longe" line and controlled by a trainer (called a longeur). The horse, longeur and vaulter work as a team, with the longeur controlling the horse, the horse performing at a continuous gait. The vaulter performs a series of gymnastics and dance moves on the horse as it moves in its circle.
What kinds of horses are used for vaulting?
Many different breeds and sizes of horses can be used for vaulting. The best vaulting horses are calm, strong, fit and kind, with a consistent gait.
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.
What if you don't own a horse?
No problem. Since vaulting is a team sport as well as an individual one, the club provides and trains the horses. All vaulters have the opportunity to be involved with the care of the horse - without the expense of owning one.
At what age can you start vaulting?
Vaulters can start as pre-schoolers and continue through adulthood. Vaulting is a sport divided mostly by skill level, not by age, so anyone can participate. Topaz Vaulters offers vaulting for age 7 to adult.
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.
What are some of the skills that vaulting helps develop?
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. Topaz Vaulters also performs periodic “Fall Clinics” where vaulters are trained in the appropriate actions to take during a fall.
What will I learn first?
Vaulting basics are first taught through a variety of exercises and drills, learned on the practice barrel, and then moved to the horse, first at walk, and then on to other gaits as the vaulter develops balance, coordination, and strength.
What are the Vaulting Levels?
With the exception of Tiny Tots (6 & under), all other vaulters are grouped by skill level rather than age. Vaulting is taught at the walk first, moving to trot based on the vaulter’s strength, coordination and balance. Advanced vaulters perform at the canter. The Coaches will help determine the right level for all vaulters. To move up a level vaulters also perform a fitness test.
Adults not wanting to compete at recognized AVA/USEF levels may choose to vault in “Masters” classes instead, which are restricted to vaulters 18 & over.
Information about the vaulting levels and competition rules is available at https://www.americanvaulting.org/.
What are the “Gaits”?
Horses are asked to carry vaulters at three different gaits.
What are the expectations for practices?
What does a typical practice entail?
Practice includes several key aspects of vaulting which might or might not be performed at every lesson. First is warm-up, agility and movement training to prepare the vaulters for the activities on the barrel and work on strength and coordination. Second is barrel work allowing vaulters to improve their current skills, try new moves, and run drills. This is the place for vaulters to make mistakes without injuring our equine partners. Third is the application of the skills learned on the barrel to the horse. Fourth is the stretch and/or strength training to improve flexibility and assist the vaulter's general skill development.
There are times when weather, horse soundness, or other issues cause us to practice on barrels instead of the horse.
What is a vaulting barrel?
A vaulting barrel is practice equipment. It simulates the size and shape of a horse's body and the surcingle. It is important for warm-up, practice, and attempting new moves. It allows vaulters to receptively practice skills without overusing the horse. The barrel is an irreplaceable training tool that is used by walk to WEG level vaulters and extensively with clinicians.
What should I do between practices to improve my vaulting?
Conditioning! Push ups, hand stands, hand stand push ups against a wall, leg lifts, plank exercises, squats, holding a chair position against a wall, and any other core exercises are all helpful for your vaulting.
Practice your freestyle to your music. You need to practice counting your moves (4 counts for any held move), and know where in the music you should be at any place in your freestyle. Although you likely won’t have your own barrel at home to practice on, use a bench or even the couch to replicate your moves.
Vaulting is a unique sport combining dance and gymnastics on a moving horse. It's a wonderful way to develop coordination, balance, strength, and creativity while working in harmony with the horse.
Who can vault?
Anyone! Vaulting is not just for those who want to compete, but is for anyone to enjoy, whether for the love of our equine partners, as a recreational activity, a strength and conditioning sport, or for the love of competition.
Is it like trick riding or circus riding?
No. Vaulting is always done in a very controlled environment— in a fully enclosed arena in a consistent, large circle, in soft footing, with the horse attached to a "longe" line and controlled by a trainer (called a longeur). The horse, longeur and vaulter work as a team, with the longeur controlling the horse, the horse performing at a continuous gait. The vaulter performs a series of gymnastics and dance moves on the horse as it moves in its circle.
What kinds of horses are used for vaulting?
Many different breeds and sizes of horses can be used for vaulting. The best vaulting horses are calm, strong, fit and kind, with a consistent gait.
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.
What if you don't own a horse?
No problem. Since vaulting is a team sport as well as an individual one, the club provides and trains the horses. All vaulters have the opportunity to be involved with the care of the horse - without the expense of owning one.
At what age can you start vaulting?
Vaulters can start as pre-schoolers and continue through adulthood. Vaulting is a sport divided mostly by skill level, not by age, so anyone can participate. Topaz Vaulters offers vaulting for age 7 to adult.
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.
What are some of the skills that vaulting helps develop?
- Coordination
- Balance
- Strength
Creativity
- Teamwork
- Responsibility
- Trust
- Self confidence
- Leadership
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. Topaz Vaulters also performs periodic “Fall Clinics” where vaulters are trained in the appropriate actions to take during a fall.
What will I learn first?
Vaulting basics are first taught through a variety of exercises and drills, learned on the practice barrel, and then moved to the horse, first at walk, and then on to other gaits as the vaulter develops balance, coordination, and strength.
What are the Vaulting Levels?
With the exception of Tiny Tots (6 & under), all other vaulters are grouped by skill level rather than age. Vaulting is taught at the walk first, moving to trot based on the vaulter’s strength, coordination and balance. Advanced vaulters perform at the canter. The Coaches will help determine the right level for all vaulters. To move up a level vaulters also perform a fitness test.
Adults not wanting to compete at recognized AVA/USEF levels may choose to vault in “Masters” classes instead, which are restricted to vaulters 18 & over.
Information about the vaulting levels and competition rules is available at https://www.americanvaulting.org/.
What are the “Gaits”?
Horses are asked to carry vaulters at three different gaits.
- Walk – slowest gait. Footfall is slow and each foot hits the ground separately creating a “4-beat” gait.
- Trot - is slightly faster than a walk. The footfall pattern is diagonal pairs hitting the ground at the same time causing it to be a “2-beat” gait.
- Canter – is the fastest gait used in vaulting. The footfall pattern makes it a rocking, 3- beat gait.
What are the expectations for practices?
- Arrive on time, stay for the full practice and help with chores
- Be ready to pitch in and help out with grooming the horses before and after practice.
- Ask questions of your coaches when terms are used that you don’t understand.
- If you are not sure what you need to do next, ask a coach or one of the older, more advanced vaulters.
- Be supportive of your team members.
- Use encouragement to help others when they may be having a tough time learning a new move.
- Be careful around the horses. Although the vaulting horses are well trained, they are still large animals. Be aware of your surroundings. Do not just “hang out” behind a horse.
- Ask the longuers, coaches or more experienced vaulters to help you at any time you are unsure of how to work with a horse or the equipment.
What does a typical practice entail?
Practice includes several key aspects of vaulting which might or might not be performed at every lesson. First is warm-up, agility and movement training to prepare the vaulters for the activities on the barrel and work on strength and coordination. Second is barrel work allowing vaulters to improve their current skills, try new moves, and run drills. This is the place for vaulters to make mistakes without injuring our equine partners. Third is the application of the skills learned on the barrel to the horse. Fourth is the stretch and/or strength training to improve flexibility and assist the vaulter's general skill development.
There are times when weather, horse soundness, or other issues cause us to practice on barrels instead of the horse.
What is a vaulting barrel?
A vaulting barrel is practice equipment. It simulates the size and shape of a horse's body and the surcingle. It is important for warm-up, practice, and attempting new moves. It allows vaulters to receptively practice skills without overusing the horse. The barrel is an irreplaceable training tool that is used by walk to WEG level vaulters and extensively with clinicians.
What should I do between practices to improve my vaulting?
Conditioning! Push ups, hand stands, hand stand push ups against a wall, leg lifts, plank exercises, squats, holding a chair position against a wall, and any other core exercises are all helpful for your vaulting.
Practice your freestyle to your music. You need to practice counting your moves (4 counts for any held move), and know where in the music you should be at any place in your freestyle. Although you likely won’t have your own barrel at home to practice on, use a bench or even the couch to replicate your moves.