Thank you to Bretta DeLuca for putting together this excellent overview of what to expect at a vaulting competition!

The Stabling Area

This is where the horses live during the show. The stall area is not open to the public. Close by there is an area where the clubs can meet up, prepare and hang out - vaulting is a very social sport!

The Warm-Up Area

This is where the lungers warm up the horses and the coaches warm up the vaulters.

The Competition Arenas

The main competition arenas are round and have two gates, one in and one out. At the in-gate is the gatekeeper or whipper-in who makes sure everyone is ready on time at at the in gate on time. 

Sitting at raised tables are the Judges. Sitting with the Judge are the Scribes, who take notes for the Judge, and a timer, who times. Sitting at another table are the Announcer and the Music people.

The Barrel

The barrel is the practice equipment for vaulters. It simulates the size and shape of the horse and surcingle but not the movement. The barrel is important for warm-up, practice and to work out new moves before trying them on the horse. There are also Barrel Classes in competition. They are run the same way as the horse classes except minus the horse, and plus the barrel. Compulsories (see "The Performance") are not judged on the barrel.

The Clubs

Each vaulter belongs to a club. Each club will have many vaulters of different levels. A club may have more than one vaulter competing in a level.

The Equipment

The horse wears a bridle or cavesson on his head for communication and control. Fastened to the this is the long lunge line, which is held at the other end by the lunger. The lunger also holds the whip. The whip is not used to punish the horse but is for communication. Also fastened to the bridle or cavesson are side reins, which help guide the horse. The side reins are connected at the other end to the surcingle, which is a leather band that attaches around the horse. The surcingle has grips, which are handles for holding onto and stirrups which hang down either side for the vaulter to put his foot in for some moves. Under the surcingle is a thick pad to protect the horse's back.

The Attire

Vaulters wear an outfit that allows the judge to see how they are using their bodies. It is usually very fitted and stretchy to allow for the gymnastic movements required. Usually all club members wear matching outfits. Vaulters must have their hair kept tidy and no jewelry, as either would be a distraction from their performance and a potential safety hazard. Vaulters wear special soft shoes to allow movement and grip but which also have a sole tough enough for landing safely on the ground. For the Freestyle some vaulters wear a uniform which matches their music.

The Vaulting Divisions

In Provincial and National competitions the Divisions of vaulting are as follows (from easiest to most challenging): 

Walk: Fundamentals, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Trot: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Canter: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, 1*, 2* and 3*.

FUNdamentals is a non-competitive class for vaulters just starting out.

A CVI is an International competition. CVI 1*, 2* and 3* are equivalent to National 1*, 2* and 3*. 

A Green Horse Class is non-competitive for a horse that is in the early stages of training.

The Performance

The vaulters run in with their lunger and horse. They line up before the judge and bow. The lunger sends the horse out and around on the circle. When the judge rings the bell the first vaulter begins by raising their arm to cue the music. 

Compulsories are a series of required movements. Every vaulter performs the same movements in the same order.

The Freestyle is an artistic performance which is designed by the individual vaulter and their coach to showcase their best abilities. It is performed to carefully selected music. The Freestyle must be one minute long. If the vaulter goes overtime the judge will ring the bell and the vaulter must dismount.

The Technical Test is like a freestyle but must include a series of predetermined moves.

After the performances the vaulters, lunger and horse line up before the judge again, bow and run out together.

Occasionally you will see an extra person in the arena. This is a booster who helps the smaller vaulters to mount (get on the horse). The booster is often an older, more experienced vaulter. The sport of Vaulting is proud of its very supportive community spirit. The atmosphere at a vaulting show is always very friendly and fun and you will often see a club share their horse with another club in need.

Pairs and Teams

Some classes are for more than one vaulter. Pairs are two vaulters performing together. A Team is 6 vaulters. Team movements can be performed by one, two or three vaulters on the horse at one time.

The Music

Music is very important in vaulting. Each piece of Freestyle music is chosen for its rhythm, which must match the horse's gait, and its expression. A Vaulter will choose music that they feel expresses a character in their Freestyle so you will hear many different styles and moods of music. Run In music is played when the club enters and leaves the ring.

Compulsory music is in the background and is often the same piece for all members in a club.

The Scoring

In Compulsories each move receives a score out of 10 then the final score is calculated by dividing.

The Freestyle tests are scored with 25% assigned to the Horse Score, 50% assigned to the Technique Score (Divisions A, and AA are further divided with 70% assigned to Performance and 30% assigned to Difficulty), and 25% assigned to the Artistic Score.

The final score is the combination of all Compulsory and Freestyle (and Technical Test) scores.

The Horses

…aren't they wonderful? Vaulting horses can be of any breed but it is common to see draft breeds like Percherons and also Warmbloods. Breeding and appearance are less important than calmness, good balance, good movement, tolerance, patience and good old horse sense. After a horse has shown he has the temperament and personality needed for vaulting he is trained very carefully for the safety of the vaulters. Vaulters love their horses and you will see many expressions of this very special relationship.