Gymnastics on horseback

by Sam Wright

You are sitting in a big top arena, the smell of candy floss radiates through the air and you are in awe of the pretty white ponies that trot in a circle while a beautiful girl cartwheels on and off the ponies, stands on their backs and performs tricks that take your breath away.

While we can debate the use of animals in the circus – prancing ponies and pretty girls in leotards dancing on their backs was the first introduction many had to the sport of vaulting – some might not realise that it is in fact a recognised Olympic sport!

History

Vaulting in its simplest form is gymnastics on a moving horse. It began to develop as a competitive sport in the 1950s, but has a rich history. Despite the circus reference, it was also used as a drill for knights and noblemen during the Renaissance. It helped with agility, which is why it was later used in cavalries to train troops.

The troops would begin by working on a wooden horse before attempting the movements on their own live animal, which is similar to current training. Pupils are first taught on a lifted barrel before advancing to the horse.

In 1983, the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) recognised vaulting as an equestrian sport and in 2001, the South African National Equestrian Federation (SANEF) followed suit. After three years, South Africa sent their first vaulter to the World Championships. Isaac Kesebile travelled to Switzerland where he won the Wild Card section of the competition and ended tenth in the small finals.

In 2010, South Africa produced a vaulting team strong enough to qualify for the World Equestrian Games. As previous editions of SA Horseman have reported, the team went on to produce a strong and competitive performance.

Competition

Vaulting offers a range of competitions. One can compete as an individual, in a pair or as a team. There are different levels or grades and much like show jumping or dressage, one moves up these grades after achieving certain scores. Compulsory drills offer a sequence of movements that must be completed. There are also kurs whereby a list of movements is given to each competitor and he or she produces a routine to music incorporating the movements. It is a beauty to watch – each competitor or team chooses a theme and has costumes and music to suit while performing a variety of gymnastic movements.

Men and women compete separately in the individual competitions, but are mixed in team events.

Vaulters always practice on the raised barrel first before moving on to the horse. This ensures accuracy and safety before involving the animal. When performing, the horse is lunged while moves are performed, making the vaulter, horse and longuer a team unit each scored accordingly. The different movements which can be performed include handstands, standing and kneeling on the horse, mounting and dismounting, and carrying or lifting another vaulter. According to the FEI, vaulting requires a competitor with "outstanding physical condition, who is harmonious with the horse and displays strength, coordination, rhythm, suppleness and balance."

Competitors and teams are judged on technique, form, difficulty, balance, security and consideration of the horse.

Getting started

Horse sport is expensive. For anyone looking to compete, it requires a huge capital outlay. The great thing about vaulting is that costs are much lower. One does not need a horse to compete in vaulting. If a potential competitor joins a vaulting club, he or she will be able to use trained horses with professional longuers and coaches.

Clothing for competitions consists of a form fitting leotard and gymnastic shoes. Similar outfits can be worn for practice. For parents who want their children to go horse riding but just cannot afford the expense, vaulting offers a great alternative!

The horse

Vaulting requires a very special horse. Horse selection has nothing to do with bloodlines or good looks. Rather, it is all about the horse's mind. A vaulting horse needs to be even tempered and have a gentle mind.

The horse is expected to lunge on a circle calmly, while vaulters perform their routines. It cannot be spooky or unreliable. It also needs to be able to carry a large amount of weight and not be affected with constant weight changes. It needs to have a wide chest, strong legs and a short thick neck. Many vaulting coaches will tell you that finding the right horse is like finding a needle in a haystack.

Vaulting in South Africa

In 2010, South Africa sent a team to the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. The team consisted of Chelsey Gertenbach, Jasyn Gertenbach, Kayla Gertenbach, Melanie Harcourt Cooke, Bongani Mabandla, Hannah Newman and Zahne Pienaar. After months of training overseas the team finished a respectable ninth of out twelve teams. The true hero of the games was Bongani Mvumvu. If Bongani's name rings a bell it is because in 2003, he was named the PSI/FEI World Children's Dressage Challenge Champion. Despite only being in the saddle for three years, he won the championship in Germany. As a vaulter, he did equally well in Kentucky, qualifying for the Top 15 Male Individual Final – the first South African to do this!

Bongani went on to finish fifteenth and has now been given a leg-up by SANEF and Sports and Recreation South Africa. Bongani was one of the first competitors to be identified for SANEF's scientific support for talent identification and development programme. The programme aims to help young equestrian athletes with access to the best coaches, physiotherapists, sports psychologists and a range of other tools to ensure they have the best preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. There is no doubt that Bongani will go on to do South Africans proud at the games.

Vaulting offers competitors a chance to compete on the international stage without the expense and hassles of flying horses around the world. It truly is a sport for every child, not just an elite few. Riding yards can start up their own vaulting clubs and will receive help for those currently chairing the vaulting committee at SANEF. Barbie Gertenbach – who managed the team that went to the World Equestrian Games – offers various clinics and support for those looking to start up.

For more information on clubs in your area or how to start your own, contact Barbie on 082 453 3522.