Vaulting is a sport commonly described as gymnastics ñ or dance on horseback. This year’s National Vaulting championships were held in Denver, and participants performed a variety of exercises on a moving horse ñ at a walk, trot or canter. The sport is a bit esoteric and not many people outside the equestrian world, or within in for that matter, have heard of vaulting. However, it is gaining popularity in the United States. Sheri Benjamin of the American Vaulting Association said the sport pre-dates written history, with cave petroglyphs depicting people standing on the backs of horses. However, the main influence for the sport comes from the cavalry. ìIt was used as a way for men to practice picking up fallen comrades in battle, standing to shoot or using one hand to pick up another soldier,î Benjamin said. ìIt was called artistic riding and was in the 1920 Olympic Games, back when it was still based in the military.îNow, the modern sport is based on exercises for young riders in Germany and other European countries. ìIn Europe, it is the gateway to all equestrian sports,î Benjamin said. Through vaulting, young children learn balance and confidence, which they can later apply to other equestrian sports. Vaulting came to the United States in the mid 1950s, by way of a pony club based in California. Benjamin said the American Vaulting Association was founded a decade later. The sport is most popular in areas where it is warm enough to vault outdoors in the winter or in areas where there are several covered and indoor arenas like California and the East Coast, she said. There are only a few vaulting clubs in Colorado, but championships were held in Colorado because of the central location to the two coasts. ìWe are hoping more centers will add the sport to their programs because it is statistically safer than most ñ such as soccer ñ and it is more affordable since a team has a horse instead of every participant,î Benjamin said. ìSo, if a center decides to add vaulting, they need one horse for an hour’s lesson for six to seven people, instead of one per rider.îOne vaulting competitor, Mitra Pezeshki, is a second generation vaulter. ìI saw a magazine with vaulting; and, at age 10, started taking lessons every week. I really love it,î Pezeshki said. ìI just know my mom did it and liked it, but I don’t really think she influenced me. Vaulting was very different then than now.î Pezeshki’s mother, Eva Bryer, said when she vaulted it was European-centered with few Americans competing, and the degree of difficulty has increased throughout the years.Vaulting is also used as a ministry, with camps and lessons offered to help kids grow spiritually, as well as build confidence. The Warm Beach Vaulters named all of their horses after Bible verses.Locally, Wings Like Eagles is a 501(c) 3 organization out of Monument, Colo. Some of their members were spectators at the championships. Carrie Gray, administrative assistant and coach for Wings Like Eagles, said they use the program as a Christian ministry. ìIt focuses on developing leadership skills in teens and confidence in young kids with special needs, challenging lives and those in military families.î Gray said the program uses vaulting because riding horses develops coordination; it also is a good way to build teamwork.Another vaulting competition will take place Oct. 12 and Oct. 13 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. Several levels of vaulters will compete. The public is welcome to attend, at no charge.
