What is Vaulting?

Vaulting can best be described as ‘gymnastics on a moving horse’. The horse is controlled by a lunger and moves in a 15-metre circle. Most exercises are performed at canter, although practising difficult manoeuvres and some fun classes are done at walk.

The horse wears a bridle, with the lunge line usually attached direct to the inside bit ring, and a specially designed roller with two large handles either side of the withers. The roller is used to keep a large back pad in position and the handles enable the vaulters to mount and carry out various exercises on the horse with a great feeling of security.

With a qualified teacher and lunger, vaulting helps build up balance and confidence on the horse, as well as general athletic ability. You don’t need to be able to ride to vault, but vaulting can greatly improve your riding skills. Vaulting is an all-year-round sport, an indoor or outdoor arena is used for working on the horse, along side the barrel or ‘practice horse’. 

Being part of a vaulting group is a lot of fun. With the use of music vaulters can work as a team, but there is also the opportunity for vaulters to perform individually as well as pairs or trios. The competition season typically runs from March to October.