How to Perform Horse Vaulting

Horse vaulting is the highly competitive sport of performing difficult vaulting moves on the back of a moving horse. The sport requires grace and precision required, and the high degree of ritual and ceremony give the audience a show that borders on the theatrical. Follow these steps to do horse vaulting.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Get comfortable on a horse. To perform horse vaulting you must interpret a horse's movements and rhythms without hesitating to think. You should be an experienced rider who has spent invested much time riding the same horse to learn its personality, gait and quirks.

2. Bring your gymnastics up to speed. In vaulting, your gymnastic skills are as important as the equestrian talents. You should be able to do handstands, headstands and complex balancing moves on the ground before attempting them on a horse.

3. Understand the routine. The core of horse vaulting is a rigid exercise structure in which each exercise is graded on a scale of 1 to 10. The exercises include mount, riding seat, flag, mill and dismount. You should be expert at all of these moves to compete in horse vaulting.

4. Finding a trainer and training facility. To advance in the competitive sport and stay safe while you're doing it, you should find an experienced trainer who can help you along the way. Contact the American Vaulting Association to find a coach who can help you to perform horse vaulting with skill, safety and style.

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