Vaulting
Vaulting is gymnastics and dance performed on a moving horse — typically a cantering horse on a longe line. It builds extraordinary balance, coordination, and partnership between vaulter, horse, and longeur.
History
Vaulting has roots in ancient Roman games and bull-leaping in Minoan Crete. Modern competitive vaulting developed in post-war Germany as a way to introduce children to horses safely, and it became an FEI discipline in 1983. Germany remains the dominant vaulting nation.
Training focus
- Core strength, flexibility, and gymnastic skill
- Trust in the longeur and the horse
- Compulsory exercises: mount, basic seat, flag, mill, scissors, stand, flank, and dismount
- Freestyle choreography to music
- Group coordination (squad vaulting)
- Horse training: steady canter on a 15m circle for at least 10 minutes
Common breeds
Gear you'll need
- Vaulting surcingle with handles, foot loops, and a thick padded back pad
- Snaffle bridle with side reins
- Lunging cavesson and 8m longe line
- Indoor arena or 20m fenced circle
- Soft, fitted vaulting suit (no shoes)
- Helmet for training (optional in competition for senior vaulters in some federations)
Competition format
Vaulters perform compulsory and freestyle programmes scored by judges on technique, performance, and horse quality. Categories include individual, pas-de-deux (pairs), and squad (team of 6). Each test is scored 0–10 for each exercise.
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