An equestrian sport in which an athlete performs gymnastic and dance movements on the back of a cantering horse on a lunge line.
Origin and rules
Vaulting has roots in Roman games and medieval European cavalry training. Modern competitive vaulting was codified in Germany in the early 20th century and joined the FEI as a fully recognised discipline in 1983.
How it plays
The horse canters in a 15-metre circle controlled by a longeur on the ground. Athletes perform compulsory exercises and a freestyle programme to music, judged on technique, harmony with the horse, and difficulty. Individual, pair, and team events are contested.
Competition
The FEI World Equestrian Games include vaulting, and there is also a standalone World Vaulting Championship. Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the United States, and France dominate. Vaulting featured at the 1920 Olympics as an exhibition but is not on the modern programme.
Find more sports by letter
Vaulting starts with V and ends with G. Browse other sports along the same letter.
Sports that contain a letter from "Vaulting":