General

Is prior experience with horses or gymnastics necessary?
No prior related experience is required to vault — we teach it all! Vaulters who have backgrounds in riding, gymnastics, and/or dance, however, do tend advance through skills more quickly when they first start vaulting.

What are the benefits of vaulting?
Not only does vaulting develop physical skills such as coordination, balance, strength, and flexibility, it also develops teamwork, trust, creativity, and responsibility. Vaulting can also significantly help a rider improve their confidence while riding and harmony with the horse.

Is vaulting the same as horseback riding?
While vaulting is also an equestrian sport, it’s not the same as horseback riding. In vaulting, an instructor is in control of the horse at all times, allowing the vaulter to move around the horse and perform vaulting skills safely. Vaulting is an excellent sport for a child to learn before horseback riding, or as a complement to horseback riding, since it encourages body awareness and the development of a respectful and harmonious relationship with the horse. In some European countries, all children learn to vault before they learn to ride!

How old does my child need to be to start vaulting?
We accept students as young as 5 years old in our Tiny Tots class. 

Can boys vault?
Yes! Boys can vault recreationally or competitively. Both men and women compete in vaulting on the regional, national, and international level. While individual competition is separated into men’s and women’s divisions, the technical standards are the same. Men and women also often compete together in pairs and team divisions.

Is vaulting safe?
Vaulting is safer than most other equestrian sports. This is primarily because in vaulting, a staff trainer on the ground (the lunger) controls the horse instead of the person on the horse. Vaulting horses are well trained, and some of the first things that vaulters learn are safety drills for dismounting. For more safety information visit: https://www.americanvaulting.org/safety/

Why don’t vaulters wear helmets?
Helmets do not improve vaulter safety, and actually pose safety risks to athletes, so no helmets are permitted when vaulting. Head injuries are extremely rare in vaulting as a result of the close attention paid to safety — vaulting is only performed on well-trained horses in a controlled environment with soft footing, and vaulters learn how to bail correctly and safely early in their vaulting training. Some resources that explain vaulting safety and the “no helmets” rules are available here and here. All students are required to wear helmets when on horseback in every scenario other than vaulting.

Intro to Vaulting Sessions

Can a vaulter sign up for multiple sessions?
Vaulters are welcome to sign up for multiple sessions.

Do you offer summer camps?
No, we do not offer any camps. All summer intro sessions have class once per week; vaulters can sign up for multiple classes in the same session if they want to vault more!

Competitive Program

Do vaulters have to try out for the competitive program?
No, vaulters do not have to try out to join the competitive program. Our competitive program is open to vaulters ages 8+ of all skill and experience levels — all that is required is a desire to vault year-round and a commitment to club activities. Vaulters in the Canter program are required to compete. The Walk/Trot (beginner) program is competition-optional.

Are vaulters in the competitive program required to attend competitions?
Vaulters in the Walk/Trot (beginner) program are not required to compete. Many competitive opportunities are available to vaulters in this group should they want to compete. Vaulters in the Canter program are expected to attend at least three competitions every year.

What if I don’t own a horse?
No problem! While some vaulters do own their own horse, the vaulting club has horses for our vaulters to train and compete with. The cost and care of our horses is shared by the entire team, making vaulting more financially accessible than other equestrian sports.

How does a vaulter join the program?
If interested in the competitive program, please send an email to [email protected].