Equestrian vaulting
Encyclopedia
Equestrian vaulting, or simply Vaulting (fr: Voltige de: Voltigieren), is most often described as gymnastics
and dance on horseback and, like these disciplines, it can be practised as a non-competitive art/performance or as a competitive sport. Vaulting has been an equestrian act at the circus
from its early days. It is open to both males and females. It is one of seven equestrian disciplines recognized by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports
(Fédération équestre internationale or FEI), along with dressage
, driving
, endurance
, eventing
, reining
and jumping
(two of which are also paraequestrian disciplines). Therapeutic or Interactive vaulting is also used as an activity for children and adults who may have balance, attention, gross motor skill, or social deficits.
Vaulting has many enthusiasts worldwide, particularly in Europe and other parts of the Western world. In German-speaking countries such as Germany
, Austria
and Switzerland
, it is often practised as part of basic equestrian
training; vaulters and teams from these countries are highly ranked and very competitive on the world stage. Vaulting is also well established in France
, Belgium
, Sweden
, the UK, the US, and the Netherlands
, and is growing in Brazil
, Australia
, New Zealand
, Russia
, South Africa
and other countries. More recently, equestrian vaulting is also gaining interest in non-western countries, such as India
.
. Those, however, who believed that vaulting originated in Central Asia associated the discipline to traditional practices that were performed by ancient Iranian tribes, collectively known as the Scythians, in the steppes of Eurasia. It is believed that the nomadic Scythian/Iranian tribes influenced their Turkic neighbors to the east into practicing the art form as well. This is thought to have influenced the Turkmen tribes into forming their own version of vaulting, known as "djigitovka", which is slightly similar to modern-day vaulting, but a lot more dangerous. In any case, people have been performing acrobatic and dance-like movements on the backs of moving horses for more than 2,000 years. The first known depiction of vaulting is a stone painting, dated at around 1500 BC, of Scandinavian riders standing on horses.
Renaissance and Middle Ages history include numerous references to vaulting or similar activities, and it seems that present-day gymnastics performed on the vaulting horse developed from equestrian vaulting, allowing concentration on the gymnastics without the horse. The present name of the art comes from the French "La Voltige," which it acquired during the Renaissance, when it was a form of riding drill and agility exercise for knights and noblemen, and also used as a symbol of status. Vaulting was later used to help cavalry troops increase their abilities on the horse, and the troops began by working on a wooden horse before advancing to a live, moving mount. Napoleon created units of Voltigeurs
, élite light mounted skirmishers, in 1804, and the name was later used for light infantry such as the Voltigeurs Canadiens and the Voltigeurs de Québec
.
Modern vaulting developed in post-war Germany as part of set of exercises for improving general riding. Cavalry officers introduced the art at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp as "Artistic Riding," although it was not continued in the Games. Vaulting is still much more popular in Europe, where it is still included in dressage training, than it is in other parts of the world, though vaulting is expanding in Australia, Brazil, Canada, and, since 1966, in the United States.
In 1983, vaulting became one of the disciplines recognized by the FEI. European Championships were first held in Ebreichsdorf
, Austria in 1984, and the first FEI World Vaulting Championships were held in Bulle
, Switzerland in 1986. Vaulting was included in the World Equestrian Games
in Stockholm
in 1990
and in all subsequent editions of the games: The Hague
, 1994
; Rome
, 1998
; Jerez de la Frontera
, 2002
; Aachen
, 2006
; and Lexington, Kentucky
, 2010
. It was demonstrated as an art at the 1996 Atlanta Games and at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, USA. It has been included in the Inter Africa Cup since 2006.
The first World Cup Vaulting competition was held in Leipzig
on 29–30 April 2011.
, which has been carefully trained, moves in a 15-metre circle and is controlled by a lunger (or "longeur").
Vaulting competitions consist of compulsory exercises and choreographed freestyle exercises done to music. There are six compulsory exercises: basic seat, flag, mill, scissors, stand and flank, in addition to the mount 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 also carry, lift, or even toss another vaulter in the air. Judging is based on technique, performance, form, difficulty, balance, security, and consideration of the horse; the horse is also scored.
Vaulting horses are not saddled, but wear a surcingle (or a roller) and a thick back pad. The surcingle has special handles which aid the vaulter in performing certain moves as well as leather loops called "cossack stirrups". The horse wears a bridle and side reins. The lunge line is usually attached to the inside bit ring.
Vaulting horses typically move on the left rein (counterclockwise), but in some competitions the horse canters in the other direction. Two-phase classes of competition also work the horse to the right. While many European teams do not work to the right, many American vaulting clubs work to the right believing this benefits the horse and the vaulter.
The premier Vaulting competitions are the biannual World and Continental Championships and the World Equestrian Games (WEG) held every four years. In many countries, vaulting associations organise and sponsor national, regional and local events every year. In 2011 there were at least twenty-four countries with such organisations.
The compulsories are performed in succession in the above order, without pause or dismounts. In addition, the mount onto the horse is also scored. At the walk, the Ground Jump is omitted.
In the team competition, each member of the team performs the required movements. Each vaulter in turn performs the first three moves and then dismounts, and after everyone has done the first three, each in turn does the last three moves.
.Unitards are normally made of nylon-spandex composition (80% nylon, 20% spandex), as that composition is the most optimal in giving the unitards a formfitting characteristic.
Unitards are worn by men, women, individuals, pairs and team members throughout all competitive (i.e. officially sanctioned) vaulting events. They are to be adhered to, specifically, during the compulsories.
During freestyles, however, the vaulters are given some extra freedom to experiment (i.e. slightly alter) with their standardized uniforms. Some vaulters appear in theme-based costumes, skirts + leggings, etc. Nevertheless, it is still encouraged that the vaulters continue adhering to the strict uniform guidelines normally expected of them during compulsories, even though freestyles offer 'extra freedom with experimentation'. This is because judges also give a score on the vaulter's presentation, and if the vaulter's uniform obstructs the judge's view of certain movements, then it will negatively affect the final score for the vaulter. Therefore it is advised that vaulters wear standardized vaulting unitards in freestyles as well, just as they strictly do so during compulsories.
Compulsories, unlike freestyles, offer no leeway for uniform experimentation.
Vaulting is also used on a therapeutic level in some instances. People with disabilities can often benefit from interacting with the horse and team members, and by doing simple movements with the help of "spotters." Also, vaulting is often seen on a recreational level, through vaulting "demonstrations," and occasionally in local parades.
Gymnastics
Gymnastics is a sport involving performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance. Internationally, all of the gymnastic sports are governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique with each country having its own national governing body...
and dance on horseback and, like these disciplines, it can be practised as a non-competitive art/performance or as a competitive sport. Vaulting has been an equestrian act at the circus
Circus
A circus is commonly a travelling company of performers that may include clowns, acrobats, trained animals, trapeze acts, musicians, hoopers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, unicyclists and other stunt-oriented artists...
from its early days. It is open to both males and females. It is one of seven equestrian disciplines recognized by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports
International Federation for Equestrian Sports
The Fédération Équestre Internationale or in English, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports, is the international governing body of equestrian sports. It recognizes ten international disciplines...
(Fédération équestre internationale or FEI), along with dressage
Dressage
Dressage is a competitive equestrian sport, defined by the International Equestrian Federation as "the highest expression of horse training." Competitions are held at all levels from amateur to the World Equestrian Games...
, driving
Driving (horse)
Driving, when applied to horses, ponies, mules, or donkeys, is a broad term for hitching equines to a wagon, carriage, cart, sleigh, or other horse-drawn vehicle by means of a harness and working them in this way...
, endurance
Endurance riding
Endurance riding is an equestrian sport based on controlled long-distance races. It is one of the international competitions recognized by the FEI. There are endurance rides worldwide....
, eventing
Eventing
Eventing is an equestrian event comprising dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. This event has its roots in a comprehensive cavalry test requiring mastery of several types of riding...
, reining
Reining
Reining is a western riding competition for horses where the riders guide the horses through a precise pattern of circles, spins, and stops. All work is done at the lope and gallop; the fastest of the horse gaits...
and jumping
Show jumping
Show jumping, also known as "stadium jumping," "open jumping," or "jumpers," is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes commonly are seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics...
(two of which are also paraequestrian disciplines). Therapeutic or Interactive vaulting is also used as an activity for children and adults who may have balance, attention, gross motor skill, or social deficits.
Vaulting has many enthusiasts worldwide, particularly in Europe and other parts of the Western world. In German-speaking countries such as Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
and Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, it is often practised as part of basic equestrian
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
training; vaulters and teams from these countries are highly ranked and very competitive on the world stage. Vaulting is also well established in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, the UK, the US, and the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, and is growing in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and other countries. More recently, equestrian vaulting is also gaining interest in non-western countries, such as India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
History
Generally speaking, theories concerning the origins of equestrian vaulting seem to trace the discipline's beginnings to either Europe or Central Asia. Those who believe equestrian vaulting originated in Europe seem to trace the discipline back to the Roman era and Ancient Greece. Some believe vaulting was first observed in the Roman games, which included acrobatic displays on cantering horses. Others, however, believed vaulting had its roots in bull-leaping of ancient CreteAncient Crete
The term Ancient Crete refers to the civilization that existed on the island of Crete, just south of Greece, in the Mediterranean Sea. From around 3000–1100 B.C., inhabitants known as Minoans controlled the island of Crete and ruled the island autonomously...
. Those, however, who believed that vaulting originated in Central Asia associated the discipline to traditional practices that were performed by ancient Iranian tribes, collectively known as the Scythians, in the steppes of Eurasia. It is believed that the nomadic Scythian/Iranian tribes influenced their Turkic neighbors to the east into practicing the art form as well. This is thought to have influenced the Turkmen tribes into forming their own version of vaulting, known as "djigitovka", which is slightly similar to modern-day vaulting, but a lot more dangerous. In any case, people have been performing acrobatic and dance-like movements on the backs of moving horses for more than 2,000 years. The first known depiction of vaulting is a stone painting, dated at around 1500 BC, of Scandinavian riders standing on horses.
Renaissance and Middle Ages history include numerous references to vaulting or similar activities, and it seems that present-day gymnastics performed on the vaulting horse developed from equestrian vaulting, allowing concentration on the gymnastics without the horse. The present name of the art comes from the French "La Voltige," which it acquired during the Renaissance, when it was a form of riding drill and agility exercise for knights and noblemen, and also used as a symbol of status. Vaulting was later used to help cavalry troops increase their abilities on the horse, and the troops began by working on a wooden horse before advancing to a live, moving mount. Napoleon created units of Voltigeurs
Voltigeurs
The Voltigeurs were French military skirmish units created in 1804 by Emperor Napoleon I.-Etymology:Voltigeurs hold their name from their originally conceived role of cavalry-transported skirmishers: the voltigeurs were intended to jump onto the croup of cavalry horses in order to advance more...
, élite light mounted skirmishers, in 1804, and the name was later used for light infantry such as the Voltigeurs Canadiens and the Voltigeurs de Québec
Les Voltigeurs de Québec
Les Voltigeurs de Québec is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. The name of the regiment commemorates another older French-Canadian militia light infantry unit, the Canadian Voltigeurs...
.
Modern vaulting developed in post-war Germany as part of set of exercises for improving general riding. Cavalry officers introduced the art at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp as "Artistic Riding," although it was not continued in the Games. Vaulting is still much more popular in Europe, where it is still included in dressage training, than it is in other parts of the world, though vaulting is expanding in Australia, Brazil, Canada, and, since 1966, in the United States.
In 1983, vaulting became one of the disciplines recognized by the FEI. European Championships were first held in Ebreichsdorf
Ebreichsdorf
Ebreichsdorf is a town in the district of Baden in Lower Austria in Austria....
, Austria in 1984, and the first FEI World Vaulting Championships were held in Bulle
Bulle
Bulle is a municipality in the district of Gruyère in the canton of Fribourg in Switzerland. In January 2006 Bulle incorporated the formerly independent municipality of La Tour-de-Trême.-History:...
, Switzerland in 1986. Vaulting was included in the World Equestrian Games
World Equestrian Games
The FEI World Equestrian Games are the major international championships for equestrianism, and administered by the Fédération Equestre Internationale . The games have been held every four years, halfway between sets of consecutive Summer Olympic Games, since 1990...
in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
in 1990
1990 FEI World Equestrian Games
The 1990 FEI World Equestrian Games were held in Stockholm, Sweden from July 24 to August 5, 1990. They were the first edition of the games which are held every four years and run by the FEI.-Events:13 events in 6 disciplines were held in Stockholm....
and in all subsequent editions of the games: The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
, 1994
1994 FEI World Equestrian Games
The 1994 FEI World Equestrian Games were held in The Hague, Netherlands from July 27 to August 7, 1994. They were the second edition of the games which are held every four years and run by the FEI.-Events:13 events in 6 disciplines were held in The Hague....
; Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, 1998
1998 FEI World Equestrian Games
The 1998 FEI World Equestrian Games were held in Rome, Italy from October 1 to October 11, 1998. They were the 3rd edition of the games which are held every four years and run by the FEI.-Events:11 events in 5 disciplines were held in Rome.-Medal count:...
; Jerez de la Frontera
Jerez de la Frontera
Jerez de la Frontera is a municipality in the province of Cádiz in the autonomous community of Andalusia, in southwestern Spain, situated midway between the sea and the mountains. , the city, the largest in the province, had 208,896 inhabitants; it is the fifth largest in Andalusia...
, 2002
2002 FEI World Equestrian Games
The 2002 FEI World Equestrian Games were held in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain from September 10 to September 22, 2002. They were the 4th edition of the games which are held every four years and run by the FEI.- Venue :...
; Aachen
Aachen
Aachen has historically been a spa town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Aachen was a favoured residence of Charlemagne, and the place of coronation of the Kings of Germany. Geographically, Aachen is the westernmost town of Germany, located along its borders with Belgium and the Netherlands, ...
, 2006
2006 FEI World Equestrian Games
The 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games were held in Aachen, Germany from August 20 to September 3, 2006. They were the 5th edition of the games which are held every four years and run by the FEI. It was held in the Soers, a district of Aachen...
; and Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
, 2010
2010 FEI World Equestrian Games
The 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games were held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky from September 25 to October 10, 2010. This was the sixth edition of the games, which are held every four years and run by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports...
. It was demonstrated as an art at the 1996 Atlanta Games and at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, USA. It has been included in the Inter Africa Cup since 2006.
The first World Cup Vaulting competition was held in Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
on 29–30 April 2011.
Competitive vaulting
In competitive vaulting, vaulters compete as individuals, pairs (or pas-de-deux), and teams. Beginning vaulters compete 'at the walk' (or in US terms, 'at the trot') but copper-, bronze-, silver-, and gold-medal level vaulters perform on the horse at a canter. The vaulting horseHorse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
, which has been carefully trained, moves in a 15-metre circle and is controlled by a lunger (or "longeur").
Vaulting competitions consist of compulsory exercises and choreographed freestyle exercises done to music. There are six compulsory exercises: basic seat, flag, mill, scissors, stand and flank, in addition to the mount 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 also carry, lift, or even toss another vaulter in the air. Judging is based on technique, performance, form, difficulty, balance, security, and consideration of the horse; the horse is also scored.
Vaulting horses are not saddled, but wear a surcingle (or a roller) and a thick back pad. The surcingle has special handles which aid the vaulter in performing certain moves as well as leather loops called "cossack stirrups". The horse wears a bridle and side reins. The lunge line is usually attached to the inside bit ring.
Vaulting horses typically move on the left rein (counterclockwise), but in some competitions the horse canters in the other direction. Two-phase classes of competition also work the horse to the right. While many European teams do not work to the right, many American vaulting clubs work to the right believing this benefits the horse and the vaulter.
The premier Vaulting competitions are the biannual World and Continental Championships and the World Equestrian Games (WEG) held every four years. In many countries, vaulting associations organise and sponsor national, regional and local events every year. In 2011 there were at least twenty-four countries with such organisations.
Competition Movements
Vaulters perform various movements on the back of the horse. Novice and beginning vaulters may perform at the walk or the trot while higher level vaulters perform at the canter. There are six compulsory exercises in the individual competition that must be performed without dismounting:| Movement | Description |
|---|---|
| Basic Seat | An astride position (the vaulter sits on the horse as a rider would), with the arms held to the side and the hands raised to ear level. Hands should be held with closed fingers and palms facing downward, with the fingers arching slightly upward. Legs are wrapped around the horse's barrel, soles facing rearward, with toes down and feet arched. Vaulter holds this position for four full strides. |
| Flag | From the astride position, the vaulter hops to his or her knees and extends the right leg straight out behind, holding it slightly above his or her head so the leg is parallel to the horse's spine. The other leg should have pressure distributed through the shin and foot, most weight should be on the back of the ankle, to avoid digging the knee into the horse's back. The left arm is then stretched straight forward, at a height nearly that of the right leg. The hand should be held as it is in basic seat (palm down, fingers together). The right foot should be arched and the sole should face skyward. This movement should be held for four full strides after the arm and leg are raised. |
| Mill | From the astride position, the vaulter brings the right leg over the horse's neck. The grips must be ungrasped and retaken as the leg is brought over. The left leg is then brought in a full arc over the croup, again with a change of grips, before the right leg follows it, and the left leg moves over the neck to complete the full turn of the vaulter. The vaulter performs each leg movement in four strides each, completing the Mill movement in sixteen full strides. During the leg passes, the legs should be held perfectly straight, with the toes pointed. When the legs are on the same side of the horse, they should be pressed together.http://web.archive.org/web/20091027095543/http://geocities.com/aussievaulting/kerrie_mill.JPG |
| Scissors | From the astride position, the vaulter swings into a handstand. At the apex, the vaulter's body should be turned to the lunger and the inner leg should be crossed over the outer leg. The vaulter than comes down and lands so that she is facing backward on the horse, toward the tail. The return scissors is then performed, so that the vaulter swings up with the outside leg over the inside leg, and lands facing forward once again. If the vaulter lands hard on the horse's back, they are severely penalized. Scissors is judged on the elevation of the movement. http://www.englishvaultingsquad.co.uk/photos/eng1.jpg |
| Stand | The vaulter moves from the astride position onto the shins and immediately onto both feet, and releases the grips. The vaulter then straightens up with both knees bent, the buttocks tucked forward, and the hands held as they are in basic seat. The vaulter must hold the position for four full strides. http://www.englishvaultingsquad.co.uk/photos/saumur05-a22.jpg |
| Flank | From the astride position, the legs are swung forward to create momentum, before swinging backward, and rolling onto the stomach in an arch, with a full extension of the legs so that the vaulter nearly reaches a handstand. At the apex, the vaulter jackknifes her body and turns the body to the inside, before sliding down into a side seat. The vaulter moves from the side seat with a straighten of the legs, keeping the legs together, bringing her body over the horse's back, and pushes off the handgrips, landing to the outside of the circle facing forward. The vaulter is judged on form, landing, and elevation. You need to be able to eventually swing your entire body over the horse.http://www.vaulting.org.uk/photos/saumur2004.html-Images/11.jpg |
The compulsories are performed in succession in the above order, without pause or dismounts. In addition, the mount onto the horse is also scored. At the walk, the Ground Jump is omitted.
In the team competition, each member of the team performs the required movements. Each vaulter in turn performs the first three moves and then dismounts, and after everyone has done the first three, each in turn does the last three moves.
Dress Code
Competitive equestrian vaulting is regulated by the international federation for equestrian sports (FEI), which ensures that all national and regional bodies adhere to their universal laws. According to FEI rules and regulations, vaulters must wear formfitting uniforms in vaulting events. These uniforms (of formfitting nature) must not hinder the movements of the vaulters or impede with their safety or the horse's safety, and they must also preserve/outline the natural bodily figure of the vaulter. Therefore, accessories are not allowed, and the uniforms are encouraged to have as few attachments to them as possible, in order to protect and amplify the visual bodily form of the vaulter. Therefore, the most accepted standardized forms of formfitting attires used are unitardsUnitard
A unitard is a skin-tight one-piece garment with long legs and sometimes long sleeves. It differs from a leotard in that a leotard does not have long legs. The garment can be considered to be a combination of a leotard and tights...
.Unitards are normally made of nylon-spandex composition (80% nylon, 20% spandex), as that composition is the most optimal in giving the unitards a formfitting characteristic.
Unitards are worn by men, women, individuals, pairs and team members throughout all competitive (i.e. officially sanctioned) vaulting events. They are to be adhered to, specifically, during the compulsories.
During freestyles, however, the vaulters are given some extra freedom to experiment (i.e. slightly alter) with their standardized uniforms. Some vaulters appear in theme-based costumes, skirts + leggings, etc. Nevertheless, it is still encouraged that the vaulters continue adhering to the strict uniform guidelines normally expected of them during compulsories, even though freestyles offer 'extra freedom with experimentation'. This is because judges also give a score on the vaulter's presentation, and if the vaulter's uniform obstructs the judge's view of certain movements, then it will negatively affect the final score for the vaulter. Therefore it is advised that vaulters wear standardized vaulting unitards in freestyles as well, just as they strictly do so during compulsories.
Compulsories, unlike freestyles, offer no leeway for uniform experimentation.
Non-Competitive Vaulting
In addition to competition, vaulting is also a form of artistry and entertainment.Vaulting is also used on a therapeutic level in some instances. People with disabilities can often benefit from interacting with the horse and team members, and by doing simple movements with the help of "spotters." Also, vaulting is often seen on a recreational level, through vaulting "demonstrations," and occasionally in local parades.