About the sport

The Sport of Vaulting had its beginnings in early Roman times when the annual Roman games consisted of chariot and horse races as well as acrobatic displays on cantering horses. During the Middle Ages Knights practised jumping onto horses and performing elegant exercises were performed on horseback, hence the vaulting horse and pommel horse of modern day gymnastics.

Vaulting was included in the Olympic Games at Antwerp in 1920 as "Artist Riding". Modern vaulting was first developed in Germany in 1940 and the first International rules were developed in 1983. In 1986 the first world championships were held and it continues to be a very popular sport in Europe and its appeal is slowly reaching the other continents. Vaulting was also a part of the Equestrian Games at Stockholm in 1990. It was about this time that the sport was introduced to Australia.

Vaulting combines the physical abilities of coordination, balance, flexibility and strength along with the artistic abilities of grace and style into a sport requiring a great deal of team cooperation and trust. The appeal of vaulting is that not every vaulter needs a horse.

The horse is a highly specialised animal, and all team members soon learn the responsibilities and duties of horse care as well as participating in a rewarding and developing sport. Another appeal of the sport of vaulting is that it is a truly integrated sport catering for the needs of able bodied and disabled athletes in recreation and competition.

Age is also no barrier children starting from age 5 up