DANCING ON HORSEBACK
Ever wondered about the sport of equestrian vaulting? Would you like to get involved? All your questions about this unique discipline are answered below! B Y J E N N W E B ST E R • PH OT O S B Y M E DIA N ORT H
Daniel Klotz-Dedora of Cochrane, AB, has been vaulting his way to international stardom in recent years. Beginning at the age of 10, Klotz-Dedor vaulted for the very first time at an “Introduction to Vaulting” clinic and he was instantly hooked. “For him, it is the perfect combination of his love for horses, gymnastics, acrobatics, music, and dance,” explains his mother, Gabriele Klotz. Now at the age of 14, Daniel loves the variety of training needed for vaulting. Besides flexibility, he loves the strength, acrobatic and gymnastic skills, dance, and of course, the equestrian prowess he garners from his involvement in the sport. Daniel represented Canada in the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) World Championships for Juniors in Le Mans, France in 2021. He made the finals and placed 10th in the male junior class. His next goal is to qualify, get selected, and represent Canada at the FEI World Championships for Juniors in Flyinge, Sweden, in 2023. Currently, Daniel trains in Olds, Alta, with the Meadow Creek Vaulting Club and his coach Jeanine Van Der Sluijs and lunger, Angelique Vick. If you’ve ever wondered what the sport of vaulting is all about, we’ve enlisted the help of Klotz and Van Der Sluijs to explain it all, and point you in the right direction if you want to try it out for yourself. AB BITS What is the sport of vaulting?
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ALBERTA BITS I SUMMER 2022
Vaulting is the performance of gymnastic and dance-like movements to music on a moving horse. People have been performing these movements on the backs of horses for more than 2,000 years. Stone paintings which date back to the Pre-Romanic Ice Period depict horses with persons standing on them. In the Classical Olympics in Greece “Artistic Riding” was part of the competitions. Modern vaulting was developed in postwar Germany as a way to introduce children to equestrian sports. In 1983 vaulting became one of the seven equestrian disciplines recognized by the FEI. Vaulters begin working at a walk, and progress with training from a qualified instructor to be able to execute fantastic freestyle performances at the canter. Vaulters learn to have the agility and athleticism of gymnasts, the grace and expression of dancers, and the balance and feel of equestrians.
KLOTZ AND VAN DER SLUIJS
AB BITS
used?
What equipment is
AND VAN DER SLUIJS The horse wears a bridle or cavesson for communication and control which is fastened to a long lunge line. The lunger holds the lunge line and whip. The whip is not used for punishment but for communication with the horse. Also fastened to the bridle or cavesson are side reins, which help guide the horse. The side reins are connected to the surcingle, which is a leather band with handles that attaches around the horse. Under the
KLOTZ
surcingle is a thick pad, specially made to protect the horse’s back.
Why aren’t helmets worn in vaulting?
AB BITS
KLOTZ AND VAN DER SLUIJS Vaulting must
be conducted a safe distance from walls and other vertical objects; a minimum of 2.5 meters with a consistent circle, and preferably more. Other than mats and safe vaulting barrel(s), the arena should be free of objects that, if fallen on, could injure participants. “Bailout” training of vaulters is practiced to develop protective roll reflexes and must be executed to a level that corresponds with the level of risk that vaulter will experience from the skill selection being trained. Helmets should not be used for vaulting, due to the straps of a helmet being designed and tested not to stretch or break – if this were to happen they would then become a hanging hazard in a vaulting environment for all but the most basic positions, or when multiple people are on the horse. Helmets with break-away straps (if such a thing existed) are not workable; a dislodged helmet from an otherwise minor fall could cause a severe neck injury. No helmet manufacturer today makes a helmet that is designed or certified for vaulting. However, all persons riding a horse (instead of vaulting), must wear a helmet since riding does not occur on a consistent circle on a lunge line. In any vaulting situation where abnormal hazards exist, a helmet must also be used, but vaulting is then limited to only
