A GUIDE TO EQUESTRIAN VAULTING

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!

BY JENN WEBSTER • PHOTOS BY MEDIA NORTH

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?

KLOTZ AND VAN DER SLUIJS 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.

AB BITS What equipment is used?

KLOTZ 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 surcingle is a thick pad, specially made to protect the horse’s back.

AB BITS Why aren’t helmets worn in vaulting?

KLOTZ AND VAN DER SLUIJSVaulting 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

Vaulting is the performance of gymnastic and dance-like movements to music on a moving horse.

the most basic skills (the head must not be near any tack) and there must only be one person on the horse.

AB BITS What are some basic movements?

KLOTZ AND VAN DER SLUIJS One of the first movements that a new vaulter will learn, besides sitting on the horse in harmony and balance, is the Kneel. In the Kneel, the vaulter learns how to safely transition from a sitting position to a kneeling position on the horse’s back. The aim is for the vaulter to learn how to balance freely on the horse’s back. This is achieved by remaining relaxed and moving along with the horse’s movements, while also keeping control over their own posture and position. The Mill is a great exercise for new vaulters as well, as it teaches a vaulter how to sit in all directions on the horse while keeping harmony. The aim is to keep good posture and connection with your horse, while passing a leg overtop the surcingle to sit sideways on the horse. You then pick up your next leg to pass over the croup to end up in a reverse seat on the horse. From there you may continue on until you have come fully around to a forward seat (this is performed in more advanced compulsory exercises as well), or you can come back the way you came, depending on your comfort levels of moving around the horse! The first two movements described are part of the compulsory exercises in vaulting. A basic freestyle exercise that a new vaulter would be introduced to is the Arabesque. When the vaulter shows stability and confidence in moving around the horse in both the Kneel and Mill, a vaulter can attempt the Arabesque. The Arabesque is performed by stepping up to both feet from a kneeling position, while continuing to hold the handles. One leg is then extended out behind them, which makes for a very nice shape! The most important part is to keep the knee soft on the leg that is in contact with the horse. This allows the vaulter to continue to feel and adapt to the horse’s movement, and this allows the vaulter to show a great freestyle skill!

Daniel Klotz-Dedora recently contended at the Canada Cup CVI at Thunderbird in Langley, BC. The theme of this year’s event was “The Hunger Games,” Everybody Wants To Rule The World.

AB BITS Can you tell us about the horses in the sport?

KLOTZ AND VAN DER SLUIJS Vaulting horses can be of any breed, but it is common to see warmbloods as well as draft breeds like Percherons and draft breed crosses. Breeding and appearance are less important than calmness, good balance, good movement, tolerance, and patience. After a horse demonstrates it has the temperament and personality needed for vaulting, it is trained very carefully for the safety of the vaulters. AB BITS How do vaulting competitions work?

KLOTZ AND VAN DER SLUIJS The main competition arena is round with two gates. The judges sit on raised tables, with scribes (who take notes for the judges), and the timers who clock the time. Concours de Voltige Internationals (CVIs) are international competitions where vaulters progress through three levels – 1*, 2* and 3*. It is from the upper divisions that a country will select athletes to represent it at

Both the horses and vaulters are judged in equestrian vaulting. The horse is judged on the quality of the gaits, vault-ability, and obedience, and the lunging/presentation of the horse and lunger combined.

the World Championships. In most divisions, a vaulter will perform a compulsory exercise and a freestyle. Compulsories are exercises which all vaulters must perform and are the foundation movements of the sport. They emphasize strength, stretch, timing, and harmony with the horse. In Freestyle, athletes present a unique artistic performance using their own moves choreographed to music. Vaulters showcase their best abilities, demonstrating athleticism, artistic choreography, and harmony with the horse. Disharmony with the horse results in hefty penalties. The Technical Test is only performed in 3*competitions. Vaulters perform a second freestyle that must include five technical exercises. In every test the lunger and the horse are also judged, and they account for 25 per cent of the vaulter’s final score.

AB BITS How is vaulting judged?

KLOTZ AND VAN DER SLUIS Both the horses and vaulters are judged in equestrian vaulting. The horse is judged on the quality of the gaits, vault-ability, and obedience, and the lunging/presentation of the horse and lunger combined. The judges look for rhythm, relaxation, connection, impulsion, straightness, and collection in the horse’s way of moving. The essence of both compulsory moves and freestyle moves is the harmony with the horse, and this is the first assessment the vaulters are judged by in competition. Next, the vaulters are judged on the technical elements in the compulsories, out of a maximum score of 10. In freestyle the vaulters receive scores for both the technical execution and the artistic components. All scores are out of a maximum of 10. In the higher levels the vaulters will get points for their degree of difficulty, whereas the lower and intermediate levels do not – their focus remains on the technical skills and execution. This keeps the vaulters developing in a safe and progressive way.

AB BITS How can a person get involved in vaulting?

KLOTZ AND VAN DER SLUIJS You can find information about vaulting in Alberta through the Vault Canada website. Go to: www.VaultCanada.org/AEVA or you can find the Alberta Equestrian Vaulting Association on Facebook and Instagram. AB