There’s nothing quite like the feeling of standing next to a lunger as the horse you are about to mount is racing around the ring. Whether it is at a walk, trot, or canter doesn’t matter; the excitement is the same. 

You watch as the horse circles around you, dust and dirt flying in the air as its hooves connect with the ground. Heart pounding, you wait in anticipation as the lunger lifts the whip above your head. It’s time.

You race towards the horse, making sure your timing is perfect. Reaching up, you grip the handles on the specially-designed surcingle, count to three in your head, and swing up onto the horse. 

It’s breathtaking.

I have always loved horses for as long as I can remember, but the first time I was actually around a horse was when I learned to vault. I was seven, and I might as well have been handed the moon. 

But what makes this equestrian discipline so special? For that matter, how did it even begin? I’ll answer this and more as we dive into this incredible sport. 

The History of Equestrian Vaulting

Vaulting is one of the oldest known forms of equestrian sport. Commonly referred to as “gymnastics on horseback,” it is believed that vaulting began in ancient Crete with bulls instead of horses. Not long after, vaulting with equine animals emerged at the Roman games. 

There are many mentions of equestrian vaulting throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods, although it looked a lot different than it does today. During these times, knights and noblemen would demonstrate their agility on horseback by performing various stunts, both as practice and for show. 

This is actually where the term ‘vaulting’ originated. The knights and nobles referred to this exercise as “La Voltige.”

Although they had numerous reasons for doing this drill, it greatly aided in the knights’ ability in battle. Due to their increasing balance and confidence on horseback, they were able to better fight while still remaining in their saddle. 

If you think about it, vaulting was actually more true to the definition back then than it is now.  

Vaulting is a verb meaning “leap or spring while supporting or propelling oneself with one or both hands or with the help of a pole.” This was what the knights and noblemen did, but vaulting now is very different. 

The modern-day picture of vaulting emerged in postwar Germany. This discipline was used as a way to introduce German children to their amazing equines. It helped them gain confidence as well as teach them how to balance well and strengthen their cores. 

Vaulting in the US

Although vaulting became an extremely popular sport in Germany after World War II, it was not until the late 1950s that such a discipline became more formally recognized in the U.S. 

Just over fifteen years later, the first official equestrian vaulting competition was held in the United States. 

Competitors were judged in several areas, including their agility, form, strength, balance, coordination, flexibility, execution of the stunts, and the way they moved across the horse’s back. Experienced vaulters will often work between the neck and withers and the croup and hanches throughout their routine. 

There are three categories for competitive vaulting as well: individual, pair, and team. While all are very different, each requires much coordination and, most of all, trust. 

Even as a solo vaulter, a great deal of trust in both your horse and the lunger is required. The vaulter must give up all of their desire to be in control and simply trust. 

In pairs and teams, even more reliance is necessary as there are even more moving components to worry about. But that is also what makes this sport so wonderful. 

Necessary Tack

So, what tack is actually required for this? Is it any different than what is needed for riding? While there are several similarities in tack, there are also a few key pieces of equipment that aren’t so common.

First, a saddle blanket. I know that this isn’t a unique article; however, for vaulting, it is best to buy a thick blanket that is larger than the typical. Next, is a special kind of surcingle. This surcingle has handles, and sometimes includes leather loops that are used for certain vaults. 

Traditionally, a snaffle bridle, which is a broken bit often used for training, is also used for vaulting, and a lunge line is connected to the inner ring. The vaulters and their horses usually ride around in a 15-meter circle.

Surprisingly, helmets are not worn largely because it throws off balance.

The Basics

Okay, so now you know the history, what vaulting is like in the U.S., and what equipment is necessary. But how do you start vaulting? Do you need to have prior horse or gymnastic experience?

The answer is both yes and no. While training in gymnastics is a helpful asset, it is not needed in order to learn how to vault. As far as horse knowledge goes, it is beneficial to not have any skill in horseback riding. 

Why is this, you may be wondering? Well, it goes back to trust. When you ride a horse, the goal as the rider is to be in full control. In vaulting, the vaulter gives up full control to the horse and the lunger. 

If you are already an experienced equestrian, it is often much more difficult to surrender that control after years of being taught otherwise. A vaulter’s job is to simply execute their stunts skillfully and in rhythm with their horse. 

Core strength and flexibility are vital components to equestrian vaulting as well as being able to balance in numerous different positions on your horse without affecting their gait and injuring them. It’s crucial that vaulters learn how to be gentle and soft on the horses no matter what stunt they are performing. 

One of the first steps in learning how to vault is to be in tune to your horse and the cadence of their gait. An exercise that is performed early on in training is to canter around the ring and see if you can let go with one or both hands. Being comfortable doing this is vital.

The first thing I learned (after being taught how to correctly tumble off a horse in case of an emergency) was how to vault on and off the horse. While there are many ways to do this, the most ordinary are the vault on and swing off. 

The vault on is traditionally performed the way I noted in the beginning of this article: you run to the horse, grab the handles, take three steps, then pop on your heels and propel yourself onto the horse. This mainly requires momentum and some strength to pull yourself onto the horse. 

The swing off is barely any different from a normal dismount; you simply swing both your legs up a lot higher than normal, and then slide off whichever side you choose.

Next, let’s talk about some of the stunts performed on the horse. 

First, the Mill. While straddling the horse, you straighten your right leg, toes pointed, and swing it around to the left of the horse’s head. Now, both your legs are next to each other. You now do the same with your left leg, bringing it over the horse’s rump, so you are sitting backwards on your horse. Again, you repeat this process until you are sitting back in your original position. 

The Scissors is another popular vault. This is, in essence, a quicker way to get into a backwards sitting position. You execute this by swinging your legs like you are going to swing off but a lot higher. Then, at the height of your swing, you lean forward on the horse, twist your legs, and land backwards on the horse instead. 

The Stand is probably one of the most well-known. You begin on your knees, then crouch on the horse, and then slowly raise yourself to a standing position. 

My personal favorite vault is the Shoulder Stand. This vault is performed by getting on your knees, pressing your shoulder against the horse’s withers with your face against the neck, and then using your core to propel both feet straight into the air. There is nothing quite like the feeling of executing this stunt. 

Final Thoughts

Although there are many wonderful horse disciplines, I was immediately sold on equestrian vaulting the very first time I saw it performed. It was so beautiful, and I was captured by the skill and ease with which the vaulter executed her stunts. 

Now, you may be wondering, how do I get involved? My best advice would be to look into local clubs that practice equestrian vaulting. It’s extremely important to learn on trained vaulting horses.

What are your thoughts? What do you think about equestrian vaulting? Would you ever want to learn to vault?

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CHECK OUT: Equestrian Vaulting USA

***

About the Author

Ever since she was little, Skye Lore has loved stories. She makes it her goal to do all for the glory of her Heavenly Father, and she strives for her writing to accomplish the same. Although she dabbled in writing at a very young age, she didn’t start taking it seriously until her teenage years. Skye has penned several stories since then, her favorite genre being mystery and equine fiction. Besides writing, Skye loves spending time with her family, friends and pets, horseback riding, playing violin and piano, crocheting, and making jewelry.