Vaulting in Potomac

POTOMAC - Lead by Potomac vaulting clinician Christi Taillefer, local girls have been learning equestrian vaulting during multi-day clinics in June, July and August at local arenas.

Horse Vaulting is an equine sport involving athletics while on the back of a moving horse. It is one of the oldest equestrian sports and can be traced back to Roman games and German riding which included acrobatic displays performed on moving horses. Now there are competitions in certain states in the USA.

"Vaulting, for me, combines two of my favorite sports, gymnastics and horseback riding," said Taillefer.

Taillefer has been vaulting since the age of 16 where she competed for four years in high school. She has vaulted off and on since and given a few lessons to children since most riders start early in life. 

At the beginning of each clinic, Taillefer met with the girls and discussed they have to have strong communication. While a few of the girls have horse experience, vaulting was new to the group. Because this can be scary, Taillefer encouraged the girls to speak up if they were uncomfortable.

The groups are organized tallest to smallest. In team vaulting, taller vaulters act as a base while the smaller riders act as the fliers.

The groups dress for horse balancing action, with leotards, t-shirts, braids, socks and bare feet. Vaulting clothing needs to be comfortable and provide free body movement because certain clothing can restrict stretching and balancing moves. Bare feet or socks give extra grip for the vaulter on the horse.

Clinic participants warm up by running laps and stretching since a lot of conditioning is required for vaulting. Then they learned vaulting moves including Compulsories and Kur. Compulsories are six step moves on the horse or barrel: the riding seat, flag, mill, scissors, stand and the dismount called a flank.

Kur is German meaning 'freestyle moves' and involves a combination of the riders own moves according to their ability on horseback.

The girls practiced individually and as a team on a vaulting barrel before doing the moves on a horse. Taillefer said for team vaulting on horseback, a draft horse is necessary to carry the weight of the riders since draft breeds are heavier, bigger and stronger.

When not riding, the girls trade off longeing Juniper, the clinician's vaulting mare. Longeing is when a horse moves in a circle around a person holding a longe line. The long-er has to be able to work with the horse as well as the vaulter.

The person holding the longe line is vital to the process of the rider balancing and moving on the moving horse. A steady pace is important. The person longeing moves the horse forward with voice and artificial aids to keep the horse moving smoothly at the walk, trot and lope.

Taillefer said a good vaulting horse has to be smooth and trained to allow the vaulter to be all over their body. This allows a person to mount while they are moving as well as dismount.

Some of the parents had no idea what vaulting was and were happily surprised at how comfortable their children were horseback. The adults concur that it has been a valuable experience for their children.

Lyza Zupan participated for the first time during the August clinic.

"It is really fun when we get to do doubles," she said. Doubles are when participants are together on the horse. Zupan said she would love to vault again someday, and that her favorite move on horseback is when she lays off to one side when the horse is moving.

Third time participant Iyla MacDonald would also like to vault again. Her favorite part of vaulting is loping.

"I have gotten less scared about falling off or getting kicked and I can feel that I am more balanced on a horse," MacDonald said.

"It is fun and unique but also a sport that allows everyone a freedom to try moves all based on your own abilities," Taillefer said. "You can go as far as you want to go."

For more information on vaulting and future clinics contact Taillefer at taillefer.christi@gmail.com