by Bretta DeLuca

THE WARM-UP ARENA
This is where the lungers warm up the horses and the coaches warm up the vaulters.

THE MAIN ARENA
The main competition arena holds a circle and has two gates, one in and one out. At the in gate is the whipper-in who makes sure everyone is ready to go on time. Sitting at a raised table is the judge. Sitting with the judge are the scribe, who takes notes for the judge, a scorer, who does the math and a timer who…times. Sitting at a separate 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 on his head for communication and control. Fastened to the bridle 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 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 certain 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.

THE VAULTING LEVELS
The competitive levels of vaulting are as follows (from easiest to most challenging): Demo Class, Walk D, Walk C, Walk B, Trot D, Trot C, Trot B, Canter D, Canter C, Canter B, Canter A. A typical horse has 4 gaits - walk, trot, canter and gallop. Vaulting is performed at three of those gaits. A gallop is very fast and bumpy so is not conducive to vaulting. Vaulters begin at the walk and work their way up through trot to canter. In each gait there are 3 levels: D is the easiest then they increase in difficulty to C and B. In canter there is also A. Canter A is the highest level of vaulting and this is what is performed at the international competitions. At most local competitions you will see every level of vaulting from Walk D to Canter A. A Demo Class is a non-competitive class for vaulters just starting out. A Green Horse Class is for a horse that is in the early stages of training.

THE PERFORMANCE
The vaulters run in with their club, lunger and horse. They line up before the judge and bow then the vaulters stand off to one side. The lunger sends the horse out and around on the circle. When the judge rings the bell the first vaulter begins. There are two performances from each vaulter. One is called Compulsories. Each level has a series of required movements. Each vaulter performs the same movements in the same order. This may or may not be accompanied by background music. The second performance is the Freestyle. This is a performance designed by the individual vaulter and their coach to showcase their abilities in their level. 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. In the lower levels the Compulsories and the Freestyle are performed one after another. In the higher levels they are performed at different times. After all the vaulters in the arena have performed, they line up before the judge again, bow and run out together. Occasionally you will see an extra person in the arena. This is an assistant who helps the smaller vaulters to mount (get on the horse). The assistant 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 you will sometimes see a club share their horse with another club in need.

PAS DE DUEX AND TEAMS
Some classes are for more than one vaulter. A Pas de Deux (Doubles) is a team of two vaulters performing together. A Team is 4 or more vaulters. Team movements can be performed by one, two or three vaulters on the horse at one time. Pas de Deux and Team performances are longer than individual ones. Pas de Deux pairs do not perform compulsories but Teams do.

THE MUSIC
Music is very important in vaulting. Each piece of Freestyle music is chosen for its rhythm, which must match the horse's, and its expression. A Vaulter will choose music that they feel expresses themselves in their Freestyle so you will hear many different styles and moods of music. Some clubs use Run In music when they enter and leave the ring. Compulsory music 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 is marked on degree of difficulty, composition and performance. The horse also receives a score that is factored into the vaulter's final total.

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.