Vaulting can be defined as ‘gymnastics on a cantering horse‘. It is a graceful sport, and it is no wonder that it's popularity is growing rapidly.

The sport has existed for almost as long as man and horse have been partners. In fact it's origins can be traced back to the Bronze Age through cave drawings depicting representations of artistic riding.

Gymnastics on horseback was used as a training method for refining equestrian skills from Roman times up to the 1920’s, when, for a brief time, vaulting was an Olympic Sport, performed by soldiers, under the title of ‘Artistic Riding‘. With the decline of the importance of the horse to the military, interest in vaulting also diminished, and for a long time it was regarded as a children's pastime, to be practised while they were waiting to develop enough for ‘serious‘ riding.

Vaulting began it's comeback in Germany in 1958 when the first rules for vaulting competition were established. Subsequently other countries became interested and involvement increased.

The first International meetings took place in 1978 and the first International Rules for vaulting were published in 1983.

1984 saw Vaulting paraded as a demonstration sport at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Since then has the sport been recognised by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), and the first World Championships were held in Switzerland in 1986. This means that vaulting is now an internationally accepted discipline in its own right, which opens the horizon for such events as European and World Championships.

Up to 18 nations presently participate in International Competitions comprising Individual (male and female), pas-de-deux routines (2 vaulters performing as a pair ) and team events.

In Britain the sport is organised by British Equestrian Vaulting, who can be contacted on 01203 463027