"It is a happy talent to know how to play."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Recreational vaulting (RV) is the perfect opportunity to horse around! This playful approach to the FEI equestrian discipline of competitive vaulting is ideal for all levels of riders and anyone who enjoys the idea of being on and around horses.

RV is the Easiest Way to Help a Green Rider Relax!

Recreational Vaulting can be done on a barrel, at the halt, walk, trot or canter. Most students quickly relax and harmonize with the horse, gaining balance and riding competence faster than if they were engaged in a conventional riding lesson.

People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.
-- Dale Carnegie

RV can be Modified for all Ages and Every Level of Rider!

Recreational vaulting sprung from the classic forms of vaulting, so each exercise enhances safety, security and balance while promoting self-esteem and comfort on and around the horse. Though recreational vaulting may be a hobby, it provides the same social and physical benefits as sport vaulting in a non-competitive setting.

RV Students can Focus on Themselves!

The various unique and ingenious vaulting exercises are all designed to be fun and challenging while encouraging harmony and partnership with the horse and rider. Each vaulting movement can easily be adapted to fit the needs and abilities of any level of student. This rapidly builds success, skill and poise which transfers to many other aspects of their life. Since the horse is under the command of the instructor the vaulter is free to focus on his or her own balance, form and control, allowing them to learn faster and more effectively.

"After children practice skills in play, they become ready to utilize these skills in other contexts." ¹

RV Is Fun!

Vaulting is traditionally performed while counting strides, with music, or timed with a stopwatch, quickly turning learning into a game. Putting this playful fun into the fundamentals of riding ensures a safe, rewarding and effective lesson for everyone. ²

"Children can remember more, focus better, and regulate their own behavior better in play than in any other context" ³

Probably the best way to appreciate the delight that RV brings to any equestrian curriculum is to set up a stationary horse (barrel) and observe how quickly students gravitate toward this apparatus to practice. Like sport vaulting RV encourages creativity, making it almost impossible for the teacher or students to ever become bored. For instructors and program directors this is a key benefit, as many students will stick with lessons longer or return to the program session after session because of the positive experience.

RV Allows Students to Share One Horse

Economy is almost always an important consideration and vaulting lets instructors share their school horses with several students at once. Since RV students do not need to own a horse, it allows them the wonderful opportunity to ride and enjoy horses without a major commitment. And since one to twelve students can share a single school horse in the same lesson, the classes become far more cost-effective for everyone.

Though Recreational Vaulting requires some additional training and equipment the reward is better riders, more and happier students, and efficient, economical use of space and horses. This lets trainers reach the largest possible clientele with a proven positive equestrian experience.

As a vaulting clinician and coach for more than 35 years, I discovered early that at the end of a lesson most parents asked their child "Did you have fun?" For the majority of vaulters the answer was always "Yes!" And, because it was fun they kept coming back for more! Recreational Vaulting by its very definition guarantees that lessons will be fun for everyone, (instructor, student, horse and audience.) That is one principal reason why every riding instructor, Pony Club, camp or equine facility should seriously consider offering RV as a part of a well-rounded equestrian program.

1. Bodrova, E., & Leong, D.J. (1999). Play and its role in development and learning: The Vygotskian approach.

2. The National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in State Departments of Education have gone on record stating the importance of play for children.

3. In M. Guddemi, T. Jambor, & A. Skrupskelis (Eds.), Play in a changing society. Little Rock, AR: SECA.