Article & photos by LaCresha Kolba
Murfreesboro, Tenn., hosted the American Vaulting Association National Championships August 5 – 7, 2016. It had been 18 years since the AVA had hosted a National in Tenn. 150 vaulters, 50 horses, their coaches and lungers from California, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington filled the arenas with a lively competitive spirit.
Equine vaulting is an event which consists of participants completing a series of maneuvers with the flair and grace of a gymnast, all the while on the back of a moving horse. These movements combine stretch, balance, coordination and timing in synchronization of the harmony of the horse. The lunger is equally important , as he or she maintains the consistent stride of the horse for the competitor throughout the duration of the competitor’s performance.
The horses used in vaulting competition traditionally have a dressage background. However, personality and temperament are major deciding factors. Competitors hauled their own horses to use throughout the weekend, although, many clubs brought extra horses along to share with other vaulters.
Participants who ranged from beginner to World Champions, and anywhere from 4 years old to adults, competed in front of four judges: Craig Coburn (FEI 4*) from Washington, Kelly Holly (USEF R) from California, Kendel Edmunds (USEF R) from Washington, and Valerie Carter (AVA Apprentice) from New Mexico. To make it to this level of competition, these vaulters had to have participated in a minimum of three AVA, USEF and/or REI recognized competitions, with at least one competition from the vaulter’s home region.
The judges observe the movements in competition, which are based on degree of difficulty (DOD). The DOD consists of the height of the horse, complication of movement, and change in direction (forward, backward, sideways, across) while on the moving horse. Scoring is also based on the placement of the vaulter on the horse, i.e., neck, croup, inside, outside, and jumps.
If vaulting is something which sounds intriguing, it is easy to get started; the biggest aspect is desire. While it is common for competitors to have a background in gymnastics, it is not required. Many of those who compete in vaulting simply enjoy the relationship between the team members and the horse.
For more information about vaulting, please visit the American Vaulting Association at: https://www.americanvaulting.org. There are several vaulting clubs in Tennessee: In Step Vaulters, Cedar Hill, TN; Monroe County Vaulting Club, Madisonville, TN; Transition Vaulters, Bulls Gap, TN; and Volunteer Vaulting, Kingston, TN.
Murfreesboro, Tenn., hosted the American Vaulting Association National Championships August 5 – 7, 2016. It had been 18 years since the AVA had hosted a National in Tenn. 150 vaulters, 50 horses, their coaches and lungers from California, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington filled the arenas with a lively competitive spirit.
Equine vaulting is an event which consists of participants completing a series of maneuvers with the flair and grace of a gymnast, all the while on the back of a moving horse. These movements combine stretch, balance, coordination and timing in synchronization of the harmony of the horse. The lunger is equally important , as he or she maintains the consistent stride of the horse for the competitor throughout the duration of the competitor’s performance.
The horses used in vaulting competition traditionally have a dressage background. However, personality and temperament are major deciding factors. Competitors hauled their own horses to use throughout the weekend, although, many clubs brought extra horses along to share with other vaulters.
Participants who ranged from beginner to World Champions, and anywhere from 4 years old to adults, competed in front of four judges: Craig Coburn (FEI 4*) from Washington, Kelly Holly (USEF R) from California, Kendel Edmunds (USEF R) from Washington, and Valerie Carter (AVA Apprentice) from New Mexico. To make it to this level of competition, these vaulters had to have participated in a minimum of three AVA, USEF and/or REI recognized competitions, with at least one competition from the vaulter’s home region.
The judges observe the movements in competition, which are based on degree of difficulty (DOD). The DOD consists of the height of the horse, complication of movement, and change in direction (forward, backward, sideways, across) while on the moving horse. Scoring is also based on the placement of the vaulter on the horse, i.e., neck, croup, inside, outside, and jumps.
If vaulting is something which sounds intriguing, it is easy to get started; the biggest aspect is desire. While it is common for competitors to have a background in gymnastics, it is not required. Many of those who compete in vaulting simply enjoy the relationship between the team members and the horse.
For more information about vaulting, please visit the American Vaulting Association at: https://www.americanvaulting.org. There are several vaulting clubs in Tennessee: In Step Vaulters, Cedar Hill, TN; Monroe County Vaulting Club, Madisonville, TN; Transition Vaulters, Bulls Gap, TN; and Volunteer Vaulting, Kingston, TN.
