www.americanvaulting.org 1 For the Love of the Ride You love to ride. Everyday if it’s possible. They do, too. Their legs carry you through training, or hours on the trail. So check their legs daily, treat early and reverse joint damage to keep on riding. Rely on the proven treatment.
Go to www.FortheLoveoftheRide.com and tell us about your love of the ride.
Every Stride Counts
“Official Joint Therapy” of USDF and “Official Joint Therapy” of USEF
There are no known contraindications to the use of intramuscular Adequan® i.m. brand Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan in horses. Studies have not been conducted to establish safety in breeding horses. WARNING: Do not use in horses intended for human consumption. Not for use in humans. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children. Caution: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. Each 5 mL contains 500 mg Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan. Brief Summary Indications: For the intramuscular treatment of non-infectious degenerative and/or traumatic joint dysfunction and associated lameness of the carpal and hock joints in horses. SEE PRODUCT PACKAGE INSERT FOR FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION. Adequan® is a registered trademark of Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ©LUITPOLD PHARMACEUTICALS, INC., Animal Health Division, Shirley, NY 11967.AHD 9560-6, lss. 3/10 EVM
2 EquestrianVaultinG | Summer 2010 Equestrian Vaulting Columns 5 From the President Sheri Benjamin 6 16 11 Coaching Corner Standing Out Nancy Stevens-Brown 14 Horse Smarts On Quiet, Supple, and Obedient: Frequently Asked Questions Yossi Martonovich 18 Just for Vaulters Core is More! Megan Benjamin and Stacey Burnett 25 Through the Eyes of the Judges 22 28 The Ins and Outs of Composition Suzanne Detol Features 6 Men's Vaulting: The Extreme Equestrian Sport Sheri Benjamin HcertiorseMansFiedHiP For the Love of the Ride 10 AVA Recognizes Life and Longtime Members You love to ride. Everyday if it’s possible. They do, too. Their legs carry you through training, or 16 Places Travelled Upside Down associati n hours on the trail. So check their legs daily, treat early and reverse joint damage to keep on riding. Rely on the proven treatment. 21 The Truth About Spandex 22 Vaulter Verbatim Go to www.FortheLoveoftheRide.com How Did You Discover Vaulting? and tell us about your love of the ride. 24 Guys in Vaulting What do you do when you're NOT vaulting? 27 The Road to WEG "A" Teams in Action Every Stride Counts 28 Uniforms Through the AVA's 40-year history, uniforms have changed–a lot! Follow our trip down vaulting uniform attention tra ners & memory lane. riding instructors: Become a CHA Certified Instructor Today! “Official Joint Therapy” of USDF and “Official Joint Therapy” of USEF MeMbers receive access to: AVA/USEF 2009 Men's Gold Vaulting • Description and Photo on
There are no known contraindications to the use of intramuscular Adequan® i.m. brand Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan in horses. ver: Champion Kenny Geisler, 29, www.CHAinstructors.com online database Studies have not been conducted to establish safety in breeding horses. WARNING: Do not use in horses intended for human o vaulting with Highwater Bay, owned • Online and print advertising opportunities for your business consumption. Not for use in humans. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children. Caution: Federal law restricts this • Educational material, riding apparel & sponsored discounts drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. Each 5 mL contains 500 mg Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan. Brief Summary ur c
o by Jill Palmer. Indications: For the intramuscular treatment of non-infectious degenerative and/or traumatic joint dysfunction and associated • Discounts on insurance rates! lameness of the carpal and hock joints in horses. SEE PRODUCT PACKAGE INSERT FOR FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION. On Photo courtesy of Lynne Owen Photography www.CHA-ahse.org • 800-399-0138 Adequan® is a registered trademark of Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ©LUITPOLD PHARMACEUTICALS, INC., Animal Health Division, Shirley, NY 11967.AHD 9560-6, lss. 3/10 EVM
www.americanvaulting.org 3 Equestrian Vaulting Equestrian Equestrian Vaulting magazine is the official publication of the American Vaulting Association. Vaulting Comments/suggestions/questions are welcome to [email protected]. For information on advertising rates, how to submit editorial content and more, go to www.americanvaulting.org/contactus/. American Vaulting Association Directory For address changes: www.americanvaulting.org/members memberservices/ and click 2010 AVA VOLUNTEER BOARD OF DIRECTORS on “Membership Updates” to make the change. If you are having problems receiving Executive Board Members your issues, or wish additional copies contact the AVA National Office (323-654-0800, fax President: Sheri Benjamin, 408-872-1562, [email protected] 323-654-4306 or [email protected]). No part of this publication may be Executive VP: Kelley Holly, 707-665-9281, [email protected] reproduced either in whole or part without written permission. Copyright by American Treasurer: Jodi Rinard, 303-931-7072, [email protected] Vaulting Association 2010. Equestrian Vaulting magazine is published quarterly: spring, Secretary: Robin Bowman, 303-978-1084, [email protected] summer, fall and winter, and is designed by Red Hen Design (redhendesignart.com). Thanks VP Competitions: Linda Bibbler, 650-851-7751, [email protected] VP Development: Rick VanVranken, 609-442-1892, [email protected] to our editors, photographers and proofers: Megan Benjamin, Sheri Benjamin, Stacey Burnett, VP Membership: Julie Divita, 650-464-4887, [email protected] Suzanne Detol, Julie Divita, Eillen and Mike Jassowski, Yossi Martonovich, J. Ashton Moore, Lynne Owen, Nancy Stevens-Brown, and Katharina Woodman. Board Members Jessica Ballenger, Kim Beisecker, Megan Benjamin, Carol Beutler, Bill Brown, Craig Coburn, Merry Cole, Suzanne Detol, Priscilla G. Faulkner, Sydney Frankel, N VAU Rick Hawthorne, Virginia Hawthorne, Cambry Kaylor, Yossi Martonovich, Amy McCune, CA L AMERICAN VAULTING I T R I N E Marianne Rose, Patti Skipton, Bob Weber G
M A ASSOCIATION Regional Supervisors AA A 8205 Santa Monica Blvd. #1-288 Region I: Connie Geisler, 909-861-1564, [email protected] S N S O OCIATI West Hollywood, CA Region II: Carolyn Conner, 415-897-8486, [email protected] 90046-5912 Region III: Penny Maydak, 503-703-9177, [email protected] Region IV: Noel Martonovich, 303-277-0356, [email protected] Region IX: Elizabeth Brigham, 301-983-9795, [email protected] Region X: Jane Egger, 269-782-3206, [email protected] VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE CHAIRS AND SPECIAL PROGRAM DIRECTORS 2011 Annual Convention: Connie Geisler, 909-861-1564, [email protected] Barrel Initiative: Open Bylaws: Craig Coburn, 323-654-0800, [email protected] Coaching Certification Initiative: Nancy Stevens-Brown, 831-476-5901, [email protected] Competition Awards: Carol Beutler, 650-366-7527, [email protected] Competitions Secretary: Suzanne Detol, 503-357-9651, [email protected] Friendship Team: Priscilla G. Faulkner, 770-786-7283, [email protected] Grants: Jan Garrod 408-741-1191, [email protected] Grievance: Bill Brown 831-476-5901, [email protected] Historian: Nancy Stevens-Brown 831-476-5901, [email protected] Horses: Yossi Martonovich 303-277-0356, [email protected] Insurance: Kim Beisecker 540-231-6527, [email protected] Medal Test Secretary: Suzanne Detol, 503-357-9651, [email protected] Nationals 2011: Linda Bibbler, 650-851-7751, [email protected] and Marianne Rose, 408-867-1789, [email protected] National High Point: Open Pony Club Partnership Committee: Beth Whillock, 651-482-0649, [email protected] Publications: Jan Weber, 978-448-4193, [email protected] Safety: Bob Weber, [email protected] Technical Advisor for Therapeutic Vaulting: Rick/Virginia Hawthorne, 818-302-0153, [email protected] Technical Committee Chair: Kelley Holly, 707-665-9281, [email protected] Trade Shows: Jan Weber, 978-448-4193, [email protected] Vaulter Fitness Initiative: Megan Benjamin, [email protected] Volunteer Recognition: Carol Beutler, 650-366-7527, [email protected] Website: Eileen Jassowski, 530-621-4911, [email protected] AVA NATIONAL OFFICE Craig Coburn, National OfficeM anager 8205 Santa Monica Blvd., #1-288, West Hollywood, CA 90046-5912 e-mail: [email protected] Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to noon PST• Ph: 323-654-0800, Fax: 323-654-4306 www.americanvaulting.org
FEI Vaulting Committee: Emma Seely, 408-868-9476, [email protected] FEI Athlete Council Vaulting Representative: Megan Benjamin, 408-605-8447, [email protected] USEF Board Members: Sheri Benjamin, 408-872-1562, [email protected] Linda Bibbler, 650-851-7751, [email protected] USEF Board/Elected Athlete's: Devon Maitozo, 818-429-2115, [email protected] USEF Director of Vaulting: Pam Lane, 908-326-1153, [email protected] USEF Vaulting High Perf. Comm. Chair: Linda Bibbler, 650-851-7751, [email protected] www.grettawear.com USEF Vaulting Technical Committee Co-Chairs: Craig Coburn, 323-654-0800, [email protected]; Vault into Summer with Suzanne Detol 503-357-9651, [email protected] GrettaWear! USEF Youth Council Member: Annalise VanVranken, 609-002-6277, [email protected] 4 EquestrianVaultinG | Summer 2010 From the President
The Power of Dialogue
About six months into my journey as AVA president, it occurred to me that “A dialogue is more than something huge was missing from our organization: dialogue. I know many of us—board members, committee members, officers—are two monologues.” consistently on the phone and meeting with one another. But vaulting has --Max M. Kampelman thousands of participants in the United States, and I’m concerned that I’m having too few conversations with too few people in the vaulting world, and that, even more worrisome, there seemed to be no real method for everyone to metaphorically “talk amongst yourselves!” I hate when that happens. Merriam-Webster describes “dialogue” as an exchange of ideas and opinions, and the AVA needs many more opportunities for dialogue. Building a strong and cohesive organization calls for the best ideas—and a robust dialogue among its members about what is “best” and why, and perhaps an acknowledgment that there are several “best” ways to solve any particular challenge we find ourselves facing—as coaches, vaulting parents, vaulters, trainers, judges or AVA volunteers. To that end, here’s what we’re doing to take the next step in ensuring dialogue in our organization: • First, I’m in the midst of visiting every AVA region in the United States this year. For large regions (like Region X, which spans 14 states and three time zones), I hope to visit multiple parts of the region over the next year or so. Driving my daughter’s car back from college last month, I was definitely thinking of the AVA as I crossed 10 states in four days, and thinking to myself “no wonder it’s more difficult to build vaulting in the U.S. than in Germany!” (The area of Germany is roughly 138,000 square miles—slightly smaller than Montana, BTW.) If you recognize me at one of these events, and I don’t know you (and especially if you do!)—come say hi! • Second, we are working hard to segue our monologue (one way) communication vehicles, like the new Equestrian Vaulting magazine, the AVA Blast, the website and more, into more two-way communication organization-wide. To that end, the AVA Forums have been reorganized and are now up and working on the members-only website, with all members having the capability to start a topic, or to comment on a topic. Specifically for EV magazine, we will now have a Forum topic opened for each magazine article, so that members may comment, ask questions or give additional information or advice about any particular article. And as AVA president I’ve also started a special section in the Forum where you can ask me about anything. I’m pretty sure I don’t have all the answers, but the first step is understanding the question! • Third, I encourage all members to email me or give me a call or talk to me in person ([email protected] or 408-872-1562) at ANY time, on ANY topic. If you have an idea, I may refer you to the VP responsible for that particular area (or you can look at our AVA Directory on page 4 to see those area responsibilities yourself). I’m chagrined to say I don’t know all our AVA members by sight, so I’m tickled pink when I’m at a vaulting event and someone I don’t know comes up, introduces herself/ himself, and starts in conversation. I’d love to hear your thoughts, and tell you some of mine, but until the Star Trek Vulcan Mind Meld works in real life, we’ll have to just communicate the old fashioned way!
Sheri Benjamin AVA President
Photo courtesy of Lynne Owen Photography www.americanvaulting.org 5 Men's Vaulting: Feature The Extreme Equestrian Sport
By Sheri Benjamin
Nicholas Cox at a Riding Academy practice
hroughout its 40-year history, the AVA has had its share of great male vaulters, and in the next decade, Tthe organization's goal is to revitalize the sport for men across the United States. To successfully interest, engage and develop more guys, Nancy Stevens-Brown, former coach of perhaps “We need to work to the most successful group of men in vaulting history throughout the 1970s and 80s, believes that men’s change the image vaulting needs to Go Extreme, and she’s not afraid to say so. “The unisex spandex ‘dancing on horseback’ image of vaulting doesn’t work for guys,” says Nancy, the of guys in vaulting.” longtime coach at Timberline Vaulters when it won multiple men’s (and women’s and team) titles over the decades. “Men’s vaulting needs to be extreme—all adrenaline, and aerial and acrobatic!” “We need to work to change the image of guys in vaulting,” confirms Erik Martonovich, arguably the “guy’s guy” of American vaulting. “We’re missing the boat by not marketing vaulting to the Western side
6 EquestrianVaultinG | Summer 2010 Coaching the Guys: 15 Hot Tips!
8. Do lots of quick moving exercises, with not a lot of repeats. (Kim Beisecker) 9. Make practices look more like the sports training they’re used to and less like something “sissy” such as ballet, dance or cheer. (Frank Pace) 10. With choreography, get them to be a cool character or show power and confidence in their positions.(Devon Maitozo) Kaleb Patterson 11. Choose your battles carefully: standing still in line in practice and 1. Encourage very young boys—two-and-a-half or three—to join spending a lot of time stretching may not encourage boys to join your “for boys only” novice program. Get them hooked before and continue vaulting. (Kim Beisecker) they can start soccer! (Rick Hawthorne) 12. Design programs for boys that reflect their basic nature for a bit of 2. Guys like physical contact, challenge and rough play. They love to chaos. For every compulsory we do we must let them also goof “crash and burn.” Rolling in the dirt is fun for boys and cannot be around and go rogue! For every pointed toe we want we need to discouraged! I used to score bad landings and give the highest let them also jump off kawabunga style! Form follows function; score to the boys who “crashed” the best. These same boys grew get them in and you can create form as they mature. to be men who would dismount from the highest place and land (Nancy Stevens-Brown) perfectly! (Nancy Stevens-Brown) 13. Show them other vaulting guys out there whom they can look up 3. Have a stronger male presence there: in a perfect world an to and aspire to be like. (Devon Maitozo) all-male class with a male coach or lunger! (Tom Pritchett) 14. For our boys’ classes, we do a lot of fun boys-only jokes. They need to 4. Have at least one exercise that you know will be more successful be part of a cool boys’ club. Coaches gotta have fun with their boys! with the boys than the girls. (Kim Beisecker) You can’t be proper all the time. (Rick Hawthorne) 5. Work with their ego. Tell them they can be 15. Don’t make them wear spandex! national champions. I don’t tell them how, I just There are many other choices: tell them that they can. (Rick Hawthorne) gymnastics pants, close-fitting jeans, 6. Get them standing fast (they can usually do this sweats, Under Armour, etc. for practice, well sooner than girls), and give them roles where demos and competitions. (Kenny Geisler, being strong is a quality for which they’re valued. Todd Griffiths, Erik Martonovich) (Devon Maitozo) 7. Compare vaulting to other cool horse stuff— whether the old Western cavalry or trick riding. They’ll get the difference and still think vaulting is cool. (Erik Martonovich) Nicholas Cox at a Riding Academy practice
of the horse world, and by not pushing the image of guys vaulting like guys--doing cool tricks and really daring moves.” Erik has some credibility on the subject; his Big Horse Productions company, based in Las Vegas, is known for “breaking the mold in equine entertainment” at dozens of equestrian venues across the nation, including some of the largest Western riding events. Letting Boys Be Boys “If we want guys in the sport we need to cater to the guys!” says Rick Hawthorne, co-founder of the 30-year-old Valley View Vaulters, which has always included half a dozen boys at any given time. Above: Josiah has a barrel o' fun at the Na Hoku o Waimea Vaulting Club in Hawaii. Right: Matthew Shubert of Vaulters Del Sol.
www.americanvaulting.org 7 “Men’s vaulting needs to be extreme—all adrenaline, and aerial and acrobatic!”
This means designing programs around “For girls you have the dance, the pretty how boys learn, reflecting their nature horses and the colorful uniforms. For to thrive on more chaos than girls, us guys it’s about tricks, handstands, appealing to the unique male ego, and showing off, and lifting flyers high above not insisting on spandex for competitions a cantering horse,” continues Blake (see related article on page 21), according Dahlgren. “Guys are thinking 'what’s the to longtime coaches of successful boys' next crazy thing I can do on a horse,’ not programs. about whether they’re pointing their toes. As coaches, we need to be OK with Peter and Paul use foam darts from the "Fun Box." “When I was coming up the vaulting ranks, I learned most by trying and being that, and cater to that, if we want to draw challenged,” says Blake Dahlgren, a former even more guys to vaulting.” Men’s National Champion, a key standing Role Models to Look Up To T he Fun Box base in the 2006 WEG silver medal Mt. Tabor Vaulters' Coach Kim Beisecker trains Gold Star Pacesetters' Coach Frank Pace winning Team USA, and now a sales many boys in her program. An educator who and Assistant Coach Tom Pritchett count executive who also coaches at Valley believes that boys learn better when you “let boys on guys spreading the word to other View. “For us, it’s about doing something be boys,” Kim is known for such counterintuitive guys to grow their Burleson, Texas, men’s better than the other guy. That’s how it moves as letting her boys play with Match Box vaulting program. “We have five guys right was vaulting with four boys at Valley View cars on dirt mounds in between their turns on now, with the youngest being 10 and the early in my vaulting career—we fed off the horse (instead of standing quietly in line), and oldest being the dad of one of the girl each other.” she’s also known for her fabulous “Fun Box”—a vaulters—Tom,” says Frank. “Tom is also treasure trove of items she uses specifically to Challenge seems to be a theme in now our lunger, and he’s a big hunk of a work with boys. what makes boys tick. “Boys like to try guy—six foot six inches tall and 220 lbs. challenging things, and vaulting appeals Boys see Tom vault and they get interested Her “Fun Box” includes: to that aspect,” says Diamond Bar Coach and see that vaulting can be about muscles 4 Water balloons Connie Geisler. “They are more likely and strength moves.” (It also doesn’t hurt to want to learn to do a back flip than 4 Water balloon vests that Frank is a Vietnam veteran and Tom is a appreciate the focus on form.” SWAT-trained police officer.) 4 Magnetic darts and targets “Safety for the vaulter and horse are Devon Maitozo, the U.S. male vaulter 4 Elastic straps with handles important, but we must allow ‘boys to who has won the most national (Pilates straps will work) be boys’ and let them just go for it,” says championships and world championship 4 Foam swords and shields educator Kim Beisecker, coach of the Mt. medals, found the sport accidentally, Tabor Vaulters. when he was six, and stayed in it, in part, 4 Ladderballs (two balls with a string that you throw to catch on a ladder rung) 4 Foam balls 4 Obstacle course items 4 Foam airplanes 4 Hurdles (various heights) 4 Slackline medicine balls 4 Bubble makers
For more information on how Mt. Tabor uses the items in the Fun Box, check out the AVA Forum under Guys in Vaulting.
Above: Nick Fujii of Tambourine with Sadie. Right: Darius Steele kicks up his heels!
8 EquestrianVaultinG | Summer 2010 “Men’s vaulting needs to be extreme—all adrenaline, and aerial and acrobatic!”
because of other male vaulters he looked up to. “When I was starting out in the sport, there was a really impressive group of older guys vaulting. I looked up to those great male vaulters of the day and aspired Jade Wentland stands on Jana. to be like them.” Erik Martonovich says he started vaulting because he loved the horses, and stayed in vaulting once he discovered the girls. “Lots of women in spandex was a great attraction once I hit the teenage years,” Erik says. “You could say I started vaulting for the horses, but stayed for the girls.” The adage “let boys be boys” is a clarion call as we continue to work to recruit, engage and sustain guys in vaulting programs across the U.S. Vaulting can Above: Sequoia Thomas, Lazy River Vaulters, practices his one-armed be a great way to introduce young boys, teens and adult handstand in between goes. men to horses and our unique “extreme” sport—and Below: Malik Finney bases a vaulter at the Cedar Lodge Camp. turn them into equestrians for life! Interested in discussing this article with others in our vaulting community? Do you have a question, a comment, or an alternate point of view? Let’s “talk”! Go to the AVA members-only website, click on Forums (your same user name and password) and then find the section for Equestrian Vaulting magazine. Click on the article title and join in or start a dialogue with other members about what you just read!
Colton Palmer on his horse Hudson.
www.americanvaulting.org 9 The American Vaulting Association thanks and recognizes the following ladies and gentlemen AVA Recognizes for their long-time membership in our growing organization. Congratulations especially to our Life members and to those who have hit the quadruple, Long Time Members triple and double decade marks!
Life members J. Ashton Moore (AVA Founder) Vicki Anderholt, Independent Judy Balogy Catherine Lassesen Elizabeth Searle (AVA Founder) Hannah Boyd, Rockin’ L & DV RanchA Megan Benjamin Merrill Leffmann Georgia King (Life Member) Rosie BrownA, LoneN Star Vaulters U Sheri Benjamin Penny Maydak Naomi Takemoto (Life Member) MarthaC Cantrill, Independent L Carol Beutler J. Ashton Moore ITed Dapper, Mt. Tabor Vaulters T Eva Bryer Linda Neimeier R I Kitchy Burdette Kerry Noble Saacha Deamborossio, Above and Beyond Vaulters N E Meg Fletcher, Welsh Rabbit Vaulting Club Ann Burns Gail Ostendorf Eric Garcia, Tambourine Vaulters CraigG B. Coburn Lynne Owen M Dan Gleason, Northwind Vaulters Joy Coburn Julie Paoli Christine Appel-Bucierka, Topaz Vaulters Danelle Grove, Phoenix Vaulting Club Jamie Cooper Cynthia Scott Paul
A Kitchy Burdette, Pegasus Vaulters Megan Grove, Phoenix Vaulting Club Nicole D’Auriol Patricia L. Reschar Joy Coburn, Circle of Friends Shannon Hoke, Tambourine Vaulters Suzanne Detol Shawn Ricci Rick Hawthorne, Valley View Vaulters Mathew Martonovich, Golden Gate Vaulters Lucinda Faulkner Terry A. Sampson Virginia Hawthorne, Valley View Vaulters Jessie Price, Independent Priscilla B. Faulkner Deborah Schade Isabelle Parker, Woodside VaultersAA Venece A. Reed, Oak Hills VaultersAPriscilla G. Faulkner Elizabeth F. Searle S Morgan Rogers, Mt. Eden Vaulting Club NCapri-Mara Fillmore Vicki Smith S O Colette N. Garrison Adrienne Stang O TI Rusty Griner Nancy Stevens-Brown Many thanksC to ourI Life,A Benefactor Catherine Hill Naomi Takemoto and Contributing AVA Members! Roy (Rusty) Hill Eric Weber Jessica Ballenger, Mt. Eden Vaulting Club Sarah Hill Jan Weber Kaitlyn Beisecker, Mt. Tabor Vaulters Kelley Holly Robert Weber Ginger Dohmen, Mt. Rainier Vaulters Benefactor member Randall Inouye Nina Wiger Jane Egger, Agape Vaulters Ruth Collins Lorraine Javadi Jennifer Williams Priscilla G. Faulkner, Falconwood Vaulters Teresa Keville Ute Wirth Deborah Schade, Independent Contributing members Georgia King Paul Caskey Carole Dwinell
10 EquestrianVaultinG | Summer 2010 Coachingcorner standing out By Nancy Stevens-Brown
tanding on two feet is the hallmark of being human. So it’s no surprise Sthat from Iron Age petroglyphs to an entrepreneur in Florida who offers “Horse Surfing,” anecdotes of people standing on horses could fill a big book. Next to sitting astride, the stand is the most often depicted vaulting move. Examples include a classic painting of a Native American standing proudly while pointing the way for a band of early pioneers, countless pictures of farmers and farm girls grinning while standing up on the backs of their trusty plow horses, stories of Ulysses S. Grant galloping through farm fields while standing on his horse, Abraham Lincoln writing to a friend that he couldn’t believe “how women could dance so beautifully on horseback!”, countless parades where boys stood on their ponies to impress their friends, and outstanding cavalry riders worldwide standing to display balance, teamwork and bravado! The Horse, Of Course Developing a correct and stylish compulsory stand requires a well-schooled horse that tracks in a perfect circle with a consistent tempo and gait. Trustworthy and steady with a rhythmic way of going, a well-disciplined horse provides the vaulter with a safe opportunity to practice this noble compulsory exercise. The Basics Perfect Seat = Perfect Stand Great stands come from great seats. By first carefully developing a centered and Photo courtesy of Primo Ponies Photography harmonious basic seat with correct posture and alignment (you should be able to draw F.A.C.E.’s Devon Maitozo demonstrates an ideal stand. He was awarded a “10” for this compulsory exercise at a straight line downward from ears through Garrod’s Spring Classic this past May. shoulders, hips to heels), a vaulter is already half way to a winning stand. The “ideal” Stand Zen 101 compulsory stand is virtually identical to the To achieve this harmony it is important allow the vaulter to release any tension. Before perfect basic seat. Upright and secure, the that the vaulter remains relaxed. If there is they vault onto the horse, a few fun “shake it seat and stand should glide harmoniously any tension in the hips, knees or ankles, the out” loosening exercises (wiggling their hips, and effortlessly on the horse with no hint of harmony and balance will be disrupted. So, wrists, arms and shoulders) will prepare them stiffness, tenseness or insecurity. first focus on breathing and relaxation, to to flow with the horse’s forward movement.
www.americanvaulting.org 11 toward the inside for pushed back. Once relaxed and harmonized balance. and ready to stand they should now push the Building Up hips forward under them (rather than trying to lift the chest). By standing up in this way, Once relaxed and the vaulter moves efficiently to a naturally aligned, they may now balanced position. The goal is to have the hips pop to their knees over the feet as quickly as possible and the and hop to their feet, shoulders over the hips. focusing on timing these moves and feeling their Riding On Your Feet hips moving rhythmically As the vaulter becomes comfortable “riding” with the horse. While still the horse on their feet, they can then raise holding on, they should and lower each arm loosely in time with Then on the horse these same exercises to count the strides as the energy of the horse the gait. When this becomes easy, they can supple the vaulter can be done while seated flows up through their ankles and knees to softly hold their arms out to their side in the and kneeling. The vaulter should now also the hips. In this position the vaulter can rock correct compulsory position. Since the vaulter strive to time their relaxation moves with the rhythmically slightly left and right to check that has already mastered this pose in basic seat rhythm of their horse. there is no tension or stiffness in either leg. they should easily put the proper “finish” on Front and Center Now, they may release first one hand and then the stand. For the best balance it remains the other to build confidence in letting go of important that the vaulter practice correct The compulsory stand requires forward the grips. As they let go they should breathe posture (self carriage) with their eyes forward alignment that mirrors the direction of the out and wiggle the arm, shoulder and wrist to and chin up. horse. The vaulter’s hips, knees and feet should further release tension. face forward with their tailbone centered Basic Help over the horse’s backbone. At the canter the On the Rise For a vaulter who is fearful, a second vaulter vaulter will also appear to be slightly leaning For humans, natural balance comes when the can be on the horse in basic seat to provide to the inside of the circle in order to fully align hips are centered over their feet, yet when encouragement, spotting and support. The with the horse, which will naturally be leaning the vaulter is holding the grips, the hips are base is best seated on the neck in reverse so
technical talk: The biomechanics of the stand with Fei "o" judge J. ashton Moore
The stand is an essential vaulting move, both in the compulsory • The vaulter’s upper body is a solid unit (solid core) with the exercises, in its purest sense, as well as in its many variations in center of mass (behind the navel) somewhat behind the seat the freestyle event. Here, AVA Founder and FEI "O" Judge J. Ashton bones. Moore explains, in a technical manner, the stand. • The vaulter’s spine (not frontline) is stretched up and he stand is a nearly vertical position of the upper body while straightened. The thorax must not be rotated upward, nor standing on two feet, with the sagittal plane tangential to the center of mass hanging in front of the seat bones (rear T the circle, with arms in a stretched position, absorbing the end sticking out behind). motion of the horse’s body correctly. • A plumb line dropped from the vaulter’s shoulders should fall The principles that govern the posture and security of the stand very slightly behind the hip joint. This is functionally a slight are not unique to vaulting. They apply in most related sports - "lean-back," but is visually nearly imperceptible. gymnastics, skating, dance. • The scapular stabilizers (muscles of the upper back that hold The stand is called a “static exercise,” but it is, of course, a dynamic the shoulder blades flat) must be engaged. exercise in the sense that it requires constant movement in order to • The shoulder blades (triangular in shape) should be flattened keep a “relatively” static position in relation to the (moving) horse. against the thorax (ribcage) with the bottoms near each This is called “unstable balance” or “labile balance.” other, and the tops spread apart. This is best accomplished Starting at the bottom and working up.... by stretching the points of the shoulders downward and outward, rather than forcing them backward. • The feet should be flat on the horse’s back. • The latissimus dorsi (lats) should be somewhat contracted to • Most judges want to see the feet pointing straight ahead help lower the shoulders and shoulder blades (not splayed out). The Arms • Most judges want to see the knees flex forward, not outward. The arms should be rotated at the shoulder and shoulder blades • Most judges want to see the feet close together. (lats and scapular stabilizers) to keep the shoulder joint low—not • The feet bones and the femurs should point in the same rounded forward, and to cause the elbow joint to point toward the direction. ground - not backward.
12 EquestrianVaultinG | Summer 2010 that they can look the newbie in the eye. But times in a row to improve their requirements for a perfect 10, it’s safe to say basing a stand can also be done successfully timing, harmony and confidence everyone wins when a vaulter experiences the with the base seated forward behind the grips while increasing full control age-old thrill of standing on a horse! letting the new vaulter use their shoulders for of all stages of the stand. Vault On! support. By emphasizing the “whole” Interested in discussing this article with A Complete Series with a slow and careful rise and return, the stand is much others in our vaulting community? Do you The vaulter should be taught that the less likely to have major form or have a question, a comment, or an alternate stand is not an “all or nothing balance issues. point of view? Let’s “talk”! Go to the AVA exercise.” Instead, it has a members-only website, click on Forums beginning (kneeling), Step Lively (your same user name and password) and a middle (the stand) After a few successful turns balancing then find the section for Equestrian Vaulting and then a smooth a stand, the vaulter should now magazine. Click on the article title and join transition back down purposely step around on the in or start a dialogue with other members to the grips. There horse, dancing about what you just read! is a natural tendency to music, to grab for the grips, so encourage a slow, easy About the Author: Since 1981 Nancy Stevens-Brown has and soft transition to and singing or story continuously coached all levels of vaulting, and her Timberline from the grips by having telling until they become Vaulters won countless national championships, individual the vaulter gently let out as naturally relaxed as they AVA medals (including Nancy’s own gold medal) and exciting their breath on the way are when they sit. There international successes. With innovative methods and boundless up and down. The is no end to the games that energy, Nancy encourages every vaulter to recognize and tap into vaulter should may be played to enhance a their individual strengths and creativity to unleash their own practice going stand, and the limitless ways it distinctive style and potential. up and down, can then be transformed into a from knees to spectacular freestyle. Even though feet, several the compulsory stand has clear technical talk: The biomechanics of the stand with Fei "o" judge J. ashton Moore
The elbows should not be locked, but very slightly bent or The Dynamic "softened." The canter has a natural rocking action which the vaulter absorbs A useful tool for getting the arms right is to start the raising of mainly with a longitudinal dynamic, not as much a vertical dynamic the arms by stretching down first, and make the whole raising of (as in trot), and not by trying to squelch the human dynamic. In the the arms an outward stretch, not a raising-only action. As the arm basic seat, that dynamic requires an active arching movement of reaches downward from the side of the vaulter’s body, it should, the vaulter’s back. This changes in the stand. in that moment, begin rotating to bring the elbow forward and The horse’s movement is absorbed in the flexion and extension pointing downward. (opening and closing) of the hips, knees and ankles; this requires This aspect should be practiced on the ground, so valuable horse co-contraction of the quads and hamstrings (co-contraction refers time isn’t wasted learning the move. to the contraction of opposing muscles —muscles on opposite sides of a joint or bone). Co-contraction stabilizes a joint, and The Plane allows for refined movements. The frontal plane (also known as the coronal plane) is an imaginary line/plane that divides the vaulter into a front half and a back half. The back does not move appreciably—the dynamic happens in the (For example, the arms, when extended, are on the frontal plane.) legs—this helps to position and stabilize the center of mass relative The sagittal plane is an imaginary line that divides the vaulter into a to the pelvis (which should not change). left and right half. Getting into the Stand They are perpendicular to each other. The vaulter’s sagittal plane The tricky part of rising into the stand is the beginning (on the feet, should be on a line tangential to the circle (remember high school holding the grips). In principle, the upper body rotates up and back geometry—a tangent is a straight line that touches a circle at one relative to the pelvis. In practice, the vaulter’s pelvis is often raised point). by pushing the hips up - rotating around the shoulder. Before the grips are released, the vaulter should draw the navel toward the Another way to think of this is that the frontal plane (and the arms) lumbar spine, straightening and stretching the lower back and should be parallel to the radius of the circle. Vaulters often think lowering the tailbone and then begin rising into the stand, keeping that they should be rotated in the direction of the bend or turn of the tailbone low and lumbar spine straight, not arched. the circle. This often leads to a very bad de-stabilizing effect—the tendency to twist the frontal plane by swiveling at the waistline.
www.americanvaulting.org 13 Horsesmarts On Quiet, Supple, Obedient: Frequently asked questions By Yossi Martonovich
was very encouraged by the many excellent questions I received discipline to tell the horse (mostly with your hands) to stay calm, and from vaulting enthusiasts in response to my last column in the at the same time tell him (mostly with your legs), to stay very active. ISpring issue of Equestrian Vaulting magazine. AVA members are The more coordinated you are, the simpler it is to keep the horse quiet very interested in learning how to improve training their horses to but active. This is why skilled riding and training is an art. become better vaulting partners. This is basically the same when lungeing a horse. You have to Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and my responses: observe the horse very closely all the time, and be able to interpret Of the three qualities that you mentioned, quiet, his behavior constantly, so you can react to it instantly. Your body supple, and obedient, which one do you consider coordination, together with your voice, need to the message of “Stay to be the most important, and why? calm, but keep working hard,” convey to the horse. This takes skill and a lot of practice. They are all the equally important, in my opinion. In a way, they are dependent on each other and I believe that anyone who wants to become a skilled trainer can do complement each other. For example, while suppleness so. It requires work, the desire to improve your skills, self discipline, of the horse is a physical quality which, with good constant observation and the examination of the results you are training, will keep improving, calmness and obedience are his mental getting with your horse. state of mind. For the horse to develop physically (suppleness) he In your article, under the subtitle Supple, you say needs to be able to listen to you and execute what you are asking him that dressage riding, when it is done well and by to do (obedience). If he is worried, excited, fearful, or upset (not quiet) a skillful rider, will improve the suppleness of the he will not be able to listen to you. He will resist you, and his body will horse. Can you be more specific? be tense and will not develop well either. Simply calling your riding “dressage” (which means At the same time, as the horse becomes more supple, it becomes training in French), and doing certain exercises over easier for him to do the work which you ask him to do. He is less and over again, doesn’t ensure that your horse will resistant to your demands and will submit willingly and calmly to you. progress in his training. This is somewhat like a vaulter While suppleness is developed through exercising the horse, mostly who practices clicks over and over but because they are using faulty with good riding, calmness and obedience can also be developed techniques does not get better results. through lungeing, ground work, and while grooming and during the Unfortunately, the growing popularity of competitive dressage daily routine of caring for the horse. Most of the time the calmer the brings some incorrect information and practices along with it; horse is, the more obedient he can become. And the more obedient because people see it in the show ring, they assume it is correct. As he is, the quieter and more respectful he becomes. in every other endeavor, the true horseman must seek out and study How do you keep the horse quiet and calm, and horsemanship and not fall victim to every passing fad. at the same time make sure that he is active and Also, not everything that is desirable in competitive dressage is not too lazy? Is it possible? desirable or compatible for the vaulting horse. After all, the dressage Yes, it is not only possible but imperative, if you horse has a single person sitting on top of him in good balance with want to have a well trained horse. The extent of it the reins in hand, spurs on their boots; his job is to pay close attention entirely depends on the trainer’s skill level, sensitivity, to what is asked of him by that person. Our horses, on the other hand, equestrian knowledge, and his/her willingness to are supposed to continually rearrange their balance to accommodate improve him/herself. the vaulter on top of them while listening only to the aids of a person standing 15 meters away from them. For example, while riding your horse, every horse person knows that being “heavy” on the reins will make a horse upset, nervous, and Another example of the difference between the training for vaulting anxious, while teaching a horse to be “light” on the reins will calm him horses and the training for dressage horses is the work on transitions down while guiding him to do what you want him to do. The truth (trot-canter-trot), which is important for certain levels in dressage. In is that without developing an excellent seat and balance, the rider’s our sport, it can teach a vaulting horse to break easily from the canter hands will never be independent enough to be light, sensitive and gait into trot, which can be a very bad habit for the vaulting horse. You meaningful to the horse. To keep the horse quiet and active while should train your vaulting horse to strike into canter from the walk or riding, you as the rider need to have the physical skill and mental the stand, as soon as he is able to do it, so he doesn’t acquire the habit of breaking his canter to the trot.
14 EquestrianVaultinG | Summer 2010 When riding and On Quiet, Supple, Obedient: working with a horse, Frequently asked questions guiding him in the most meaningful way for him, he will give you the feeling that he asks you all the time “What would you like me to do now?”
Very often dressage instructors seem to be observing if the horse goes from point to point carrying out an arranged program, instead of how cadenced the horse moves from one point to the other at all gaits. The essence of dressage (training) and Phillipe Karl ; exemplary suppleness, balance, and energy what is often missing in competitions, as well as in the process of training the horse, is the cadence--the ability of the rider to obtain rhythmic Under saddle the horse becomes more and more obedient if you tell movement from the horse. him exactly where to go, and how to go. This obedience under the You can bend your horse and try to do “fancy” moves with him, but if saddle will carry over to the vaulting horse while he is being lunged. they are not done with absolute perfect rhythm, it doesn’t have much Disciplining a horse is not done by jerking and yelling at him, but by value for developing the horse physically as well as mentally. As a consistently guiding him where and how you want him to go. When skilled rider/trainer you should be able to push your horse into the bit riding and working with a horse, guiding him in the most meaningful with your legs and regulate the rhythm of his stride. You feel this, and way for him, he will give you the feeling that he asks you all the time feel the regularity of the vibration of his back. Each stride needs to be “What would you like me to do now?” That’s what you are after! rhythmical. Training really consists of cadencing the horse-- from the Interested in discussing this article with others in our vaulting early breaking period through advanced dressage. community? Do you have a question, a comment, or an alternate On the ground and on the lunge line I get my point of view? Let’s “talk”! Go to the AVA members-only website, horse to be fairly responsive to me, however, click on Forums (your same user name and password) and then find the section for Equestrian Vaulting magazine. Click on the article when riding him, he is not very obedient. He title and join in or start a dialogue with other members about what usually moves faster then I want him to, doesn’t you just read! stop very well, etc. In another words, I feel like I am in a battle with him and don’t have much control. Any suggestions? Ask very little, and make sure that the horse listens to About the Author: Yossi Martonovich has been training horses for dressage and vaulting for more you and does what you ask him to do. Work on your than 30 years. He, along with wife Noel and sons Erik and Matt, founded the Little Spring Academy of own skills as a rider, because lack of skills means lack of Equestrian Arts in Golden, Colorado. Golden Gate Vaulters is part of this successful program. Yossi chairs communication with your horse. Work on improving the AVA’s Horse Committee and is a current board member. your seat, your balance, coordination, and your ability to stay relaxed in the saddle. Make sure that the horse goes exactly where you want him Reference: Karl, P. 2009 Twisted Truths of Modern Dressage: A Search for a Classical Alternative: to go and at the gait and speed that you want him to go. Pay attention Cadmos Verlag Gmbh, Brunsbek,160 p. to his rhythm, his cadence. Each stride needs to be rhythmical.
www.americanvaulting.org 15 16 EquestrianVaultinG | Summer 2010 www.americanvaulting.org 17 Just for Vaulters Core is More! Want to get higher in your scissors? Stronger in your flag? More stable and balanced in your freestyle? Then it’s time for some core exercises! By Megan Benjamin with Stacey Burnett modified
he core consists of the stomach, oblique, and back muscles wrapping around the mid- section of your body and is essential for stabilization, balance, and overall strength. Despite Tbeing the most important muscle group in the body, the core is sometimes neglected among vaulters. The following exercises target the most important parts of the core and are fundamental building blocks to more difficult core exercises. A strong core means a strong you, so in addition to regular practice, try these six core exercises to make your vaulting stronger and more balanced. The only equipment you will need is a medium size physio ball and a hardworking attitude.
Supine Stabilization Start seated with your feet flexed out in front of you and your hands directly under your shoulders. Squeeze your glutes and lift your hips off the floor while looking up at the ceiling. Your body should make a straight line from head to toe. Hold for 20-60 seconds. This exercise is great for second half of scissors. Modified: Bend your knees or move your body up and down 15-30 times instead modified of holding. Challenge: Try alternate knee tucks! (Be comfortable holding supine stabilization for 60 seconds first!) modified
challenge
18 3EquestrianVaultinG | Summer 2010 Side Stabilization Draw-ins with Ball Squeeze Align your elbow under your shoulder and lift by Lie on your back with your knees bent and your arms down at your sides with your palms pushing your hip away from the floor, maintaining a facing the sky. Place a medium sized rubber ball between your knees. As you inhale, tilt straight line with your body. Remember to suck in your your pelvis under while sucking down your bellybutton and squeezing the ball between bellybutton and squeeze your glutes! Hold for 20-60 your knees until your spine is flat on the floor. Hold for 5 seconds and release. Repeat seconds. The muscles targeted in this exercise are 10-20 times. Draw-ins are the foundation of all core exercises and will help improve your essential for mill, scissors, and full 1flank. riding seat, mill, and stand. Modified: Try it on your knees instead! Modified: Forget the Challenge: Try knee tucks! (Be comfortable holding ball! side stabilization for 60 seconds first!) Challenge: Try elevating your feet off challenge the floor, but maintain the pelvic tilt! challenge 2 Plank (Prone Stabilization) Physio Ball Knee Tucks Align your elbows under your shoulders Place the top of your feet on a medium sized with your forearms and fingers apart. physio ball in a pushup position. While sucking Lift your body so it is horizontal with in your bellybutton, slowly draw your knees the floor. There should be resistance toward you, making sure your hips stay even between your elbows and the balls with your shoulders. Return to the pushup of your feet. Keep your shoulders in position and repeat 10-20 times. This is a more a neutral position (not sunken in or advanced core exercise that will help your blocked out) and squeeze your glutes balance and posture. modified while sucking in your bellybutton. Hold Modified:Practice walking out into the for 20-60 seconds. The plank helps build pushup position without allowing the middle core strength essential for both dynamic of your body to sag down. and static vaulting. Challenge: Try individual leg tucks. (Be Modified:Try it on your knees instead! comfortable with a minimum of 2 sets of 20 Challenge: Try alternating leg raises regular knee tucks first!) (Be comfortable holding plank for 60 seconds first!) challenge
continued 4 www.americanvaulting.org5 19 Kneeling Physio Ball Balance Carefully place your hands and knees on a medium sized physio ball. Extend your hips forward and take one hand off the ball at a time while maintaining balance. Get a Volunteering: spotter if you feel uncomfortable. Keep your bellybutton drawn in and squeeze your glutes, constantly pushing your hips forward. Hold for 20-60 seconds. This exercise is A Rewarding and Fun Road great for balance. to the AVA’s Success! Modified:Try a box instead of a free kneel. The AVA is actively looking for volunteers to assist with projects Challenge: Add a light medicine ball and move and on committees at the national level, to help spread the word it up and down. (Be comfortable with a 60 and grow vaulting programs across the United States. If you’re second hold first!) interested in helping our sport, and can spare even a few hours, we need your talents!
modified “AVE volunteer jobs come in all shapes and sizes,” says AVA President Sheri Benjamin. From large, continuing jobs (AVA Vaulting Store Manager) to smaller, more project-oriented jobs with a specific timeframe and hours commitment (some of our research projects, for example), there’s an AVA job that fits your skill set, your timeframe and your available volunteer hours. “And one of the biggest pluses of volunteering at the national level is that you get to work with wonderful and interesting vaulting parents, coaches and athletes from across the United States,” says Sheri. For more information on open volunteer jobs, go to www. americanvaulting.org, click on Membership, and then click on Get Involved. Your Photos Wanted The American Vaulting Association encourages vaulting enthusiasts to share their photos for publication in upcoming issues of Equestrian Vaulting magazine, and on the website as well! We welcome the following types of photos: • Vaulting in action shots: both recreational vaulting photos and competition photos. • Day in the Life of Vaulting shots: photos showing vaulters, coaches, judges, lungers, parents in photos other than those above. • “Artsy” shots: silhouette shots, ultra close-ups, of anything having to do with vaulting.
challenge • Photos that represent our sport as an activity (both recreational and competitive) for all ages, that’s safe, fun, exciting, and team-oriented. 6 We want photos of both sexes and all ages! We want photos About the Authors: Megan Benjamin is a recent graduate from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. A Mt. Eden of beginners, intermediate and advanced vaulters! We want Vaulting Club member, she is the 2006 World Equestrian Games Women’s Vaulting Champion, and a member photos from small clubs and big clubs, and from every region! of the AVA Board of Directors. Stacey Page Burnett (pictured above) is a Certified Personal Trainer based out of (Sometimes we do not have a good geographic representation the San Francisco Bay Area. She has been training vaulters and riders of varying fitness levels since 2005. of our vaulters in each issue, and this is mostly because we do For further information on how you or your vaulters/riders may become more fit, contact her not receive photos that meet our requirements from that region.) at [email protected]. For a complete list of our photo criteria, go to www. americanvaulting.org, click on Membership, then click on Get Involved.
20 EquestrianVaultinG | Summer 2010 “If I’m not in full-body spandex the The Truth About judges will give me a lower score!” Spandex Is full body spandex a requirement for competitive vaulting in the United States? he truth is this, full-body spandex is simply a fashion,” says FEI "O" Judge Suzanne Detol, who has been judging AVA-level vaulting “T competitions for more than 20 years. “There was a time in the 70s and 80s where women wore skirts and the men wore gymnastics pants, and today the fad is full-body spandex. But the AVA/USEF/FEI rules never specify this type of attire for competition-wear for females or males.” So, what is the rule? AVA: At the AVA level, in Article 111.9 (page 37) in the current AVA Rulebook, the rule simply states “The dress of the vaulters must be suitable to equestrian sport. (See FEI Rules for Vaulting.)” USEF: At the USEF level (VA110.8) the rule states exactly the same thing: “The dress of the vaulters must be suitable to equestrian sport. (See FEI Rules for Vaulting.)” FEI: And at the FEI level—what about this “FEI Rules for Vaulting” document? The current FEI Rules for Vaulting Events (7th edition, effective January 1, 2009) states the following, in full, regarding “Dress” (their word for competition-wear):
Article 715 DRESS Archives. Club Vaulting Eden Mt. of Courtesy Photo 715.2: Performance “Everyone else is In the 70s and 80s, skirts for the women and gymnastics 715.2.3 Dress of Team, Individual or wearing spandex so pants for the men were the fashion. Pas-de-Deux vaulters must not hinder the movement of the I guess I have to too.” vaulter or the safe interaction Spandex 101 between vaulters during the performance. Dress must in no way • Spandex is a man-made fiber (segmented compromise the safety of either vaulter or horse. polyurethane) able to stretch at least 100 percent and 715.2.4 Dress must not conceal the form and line of the vaulter’s body snap back like natural rubber. during the performance in order not to hinder the judging of the • It was created in the late 1950s by E.I. du Pont de exercises. Nemours & Company, Inc. 715.2.5 In keeping with the General Regulations, dress must not give the effect of nudity. • The name “spandex” is an anagram of the word 715.2.6 Dress must be formfitting and all articles of clothing, or parts “expands.” thereof, must remain attached to the vaulter’s body at all times. • Spandex’ flexibility, abrasion resistance, strength Accessories (not limited to but including belts, masks, jewelry) and and resistance to deterioration by body oils and props (not limited to but including hats, capes, canes, gadgets) are perspiration are better than rubber. strictly forbidden in the arena. • Spandex is used in competitive swimwear, cycling 715.2.7 Only soft soled shoes are permitted. shorts, wrestling singlets, rowing unisuits, wetsuits, 715.2.8 Trousers must be secured to the foot and skirts may only be worn ski pants, speed skating suits, and, of course, vaulting over tights or leggings. uniforms. 715.2.9 Failure to comply with any of the above will incur a deduction • American political satirist and comedian Stephen from Composition score. See Guidelines. Colbert appeared on the December 2009 cover of Bottom line? Follow the rules outlined above, and make sure your freestyle uniform Sports Illustrated in full-body speed skating spandex. is relevant to your routine’s theme (see the Through the Eyes of the Judges column • Lycra is a brand name for spandex, and the registered discussing the composition score on page 25). Your uniform, whether it’s a skirt trademark for Lycra is owned by Dupont. (with tights or leggings, of course), a closely fitting trouser and shirt, or full body spandex, is a key component to your successful vaulting performance.
www.americanvaulting.org 21 Alex Schaubhut Lone Star Vaulters Manchaca, TX I’ve been a gymnast all my life. One day I went on a trail ride and started riding backward. A woman saw and told me I should try vaulting. After a few days of searching I found an old club in my town and they gave me a couple lessons. They introduced me to Rosie Brown, my coach for almost five years now!
Kathy (Hartman) Thistlethwaite (holding horse) Kristian Roberts Norco Vaulting Club Half Moon Bay Vaulters Norco, CA Half Moon Bay, CA During my first year at Cal Poly, Pomona the college team Cassidy Palmer asked me to come and Primo Ponies Photography did demonstrations for the Sunday horse shows at the try out vaulting. We knew each other W.K. Kellogg Arabian Unit on campus. We were far from through a home schooling program the typical vaulting team—college students (some and had both been doing gymnastics six feet tall!) on 15 hand Arabians, studying Organic for several years. My first competition Chemistry and Vertebrate Zoology at practices. Recently was a California Gold class at the I created the Norco Vaulting Club where my horses are 6’ Woodside Spring Fest. I sure have come tall and my vaulters are all under 15 hands. It’s good to a long way since then! be back.
"How did you discover vaulting?"
Sydney Dexter BrookWood Vaulters, Lake Oswego, OR My grandpa got me riding lessons every year at the hunt club for my birthday. When I turned 10, I went to schedule my next lessons but none were available. At the time, they were starting a vaulting club (Iron Mountain Vaulters), and it looked fun. I decided to try it and instantly fell in love with the sport.
Tom Hogye, Alumni, Ben Lomand, CA I discovered vaulting in 1979 on a dare when a friend and I were headed for a trail ride in Ohio. I discovered competitive vaulting from Dressage and CT Magazine featuring an article titled—“Vaulting—Putting the Man Back in Horsemanship.” These days I’m happy to be a vaulting dad and team photographer!
22 EquestrianVaultinG | Summer 2010 Zina Allred, Oak Hills Vaulters, Salem, UT I had a dream one night about vaulting. I have been around horses most of my life, but never knew about this sport. I thought the dream was about trick riding, but two days later I saw a flyer on a bulletin board advertising a sport called “vaulting.” I called the number and have been vaulting ever since. I’m 31 now and just can’t seem to quit!
Hannah Horsmon, Anja O’Toole Lakeshore Vaulters High Vaultage Three Rivers, MI Clifton Park, NY A YMCA camp across the lake from I grew up in Germany, where when Primo Ponies Photography our house offered vaulting for you’re too little to ride but love Annalise VanVranken youngsters. My mom signed me horses—you vault! My sister, who F.A.C.E. up for the recreational class. After vaulted already, coached a team. Mays Landing, NJ a few months I switched to a more I attached myself to her to be around My sister was taking riding lessons at a local competitive team. The first day I the horses. We have this great thing farm. A vaulting club came to try out one of the visited the team they were vaulting in common and still learn new things stable’s horses and my sister’s riding instructor at the canter. I turned to my mom all the time. Now I live in New York asked if we wanted to try vaulting. We did and and told her, “This is what I want and have a club and vaulting horses within a few years we owned a vaulting horse to do.” of my own! and started a club at our home in New Jersey! vaulter verbatim
Jessica Hogge Francesca and Malu Foley Paradise Vaulters Vaulters Del Sol Hayes, VA Cedar Crest, NM My mom called a riding instructor We were getting pizza and playing outside with our dad, (Suzanne Parodi) for lessons when I got my flipping around his arms. Greta Shyrock, the coach of a brand first horse. She teaches beginners vaulting new vaulting team, made the pizzas at that restaurant. She first so we can understand balance and came outside and told us “You would be perfect for vaulting! what to do if the horse spooks. I was a Come try it out.” We did, and the rest is history. gymnast and a cheerleader, so I felt really comfortable vaulting.
Dena Madden Devon Maitozo Mile High Vaulters F.A.C.E. Fort Lumpton, CO Woodside, CA I discovered vaulting when my daughters’ Pony Vaulting sort of discovered me. Club took a lesson. The girls loved it, and soon My family moved to a ranch all four children were vaulting. I began vaulting in Santa Cruz only to discover therapeutically to try to fix some longstanding back there was a vaulting club on problems, and now I’m competing and working the property where I lived. They toward my Bronze medal. It’s been a slow process asked me to start and I’ve been to develop the strength and skill to compete in this hooked ever since! sport, but I’m hoping to prove it’s never too late to start an athletic career.
www.americanvaulting.org 23 Primo Ponies Photography
Primo Ponies Photography
Primo Ponies Photography
24 EquestrianVaultinG | Summer 2010 Through the Eyes of the Judges the ins and outs of composition By Suzanne Detol, FEI “O” Judge
any of our recognized national events include freestyles that are judged on degree of difficulty, composition, performance and the horse. Degree of difficulty and performance Mare calculated mathematically, with the judge employing a learned, educated and practiced methodology that also involves memorization of the assessed value of a myriad of freestyle exercises. Nonetheless, these are tangible scores. In Individual Gold, Silver and Bronze events, for example, the vaulter can look up the exercises on the FEI website and check the DOD assigned to many of their chosen exercises. They can look at their score sheets, in most instances, to see the performance notes that the judge has written. Again, this should be mathematical and fairly easy to understand and translate. Composition, on the other hand, is the category that is most subjective. There is no easy way to calculate, by looking at the completed score sheet, how the judge arrived at your particular score. If there is time in the competition schedule, the judge may write notes telling you what you were lacking or, vice versa, what you did well in
The closer the vaulter can come to meeting the expectations in all categories, the better the score for composition should be.
composition, but with the time constraints, this is becoming more and more difficult for the judge to do. So, for AVA and USEF recognized competitions, we turn to the Rule Book(s) and read: Composition (x1) 1) use of Space 2) Pace 3) variety
Primo Ponies Photography 4) Development 5) Artistic Merit 6) consideration of the Horse What do those translate to? Use of Space – Did you use all areas of the horse when performing your freestyle? Were you on the neck, on the croup, as well as on the back? Were you Photo courtesy of Primo Ponies Photography Ponies Primo of courtesy Photo 1 facing forward, backward, sideways in several of your moves? Did you perform leaps (if allowed) and ground jumps (again, if allowed)? Pace – Did you include dynamic exercises as well as static exercises? Did you have interesting transitions that helped move you from place to place? Did 2 you have moments when you “presented” your moves and held them—or did you perform only ground jump after ground jump and dynamic after dynamic with no statics to slow the program down? Variety – Did you include as many structure groups into your routine as possible? Strength moves, stretch moves, lying moves, balance moves, leaps, 3 ground jumps, originality—or was your routine made up mainly of flag and/
Rachel Bublitz performs a leap high above her horse. www.americanvaulting.org 25 or arabesque variations with a couple of standing moves —all done Development and artistic merit are areas that need more work facing forward in the center of the horse’s back? and more thought when writing your freestyle. Development is choreography; artistic merit is more presentation and the ability to Development – Did you have a plan when you wrote your really express oneself on the “stage.” freestyle? Does it build in momentum; does it have “wow” moments; does it flow from move to move with a purpose, Consideration of the horse is by far one of the more important 4 or is it a string of static exercises performed one after another aspects of your composition. Choosing several stands in the grips, with no obvious connection and no tie-in between the exercises? when your horse has a very difficult time carrying that exercise, is not something you should do—or at least not more than once Artistic Merit – Does the music fit the exercises, the vaulter for three strides. Hanging exercises are discouraged much for the and the uniform? Is there a theme, and if so, does the vaulter’s same reason; they are difficult on the horse. Potentially, choosing uniform tie in with the music and theme? Does the vaulter the wrong exercises—one with which the horse has trouble—will 5 attempt to interpret, express or “use” the music, or is the music not only affect your composition score, but can also affect the simply something playing in the background? Does the music express horse score and your performance score (if the horse stalls out, the horse’s gait, if possible? for example, and you lose your balance—a domino effect in the Consideration of the Horse – Did the vaulter choose freestyle scores). A stand on the croup, when your horse bucks every exercises that were easy for the horse to carry? Was the vaulter time, is something to avoid. A vaulter should work in partnership light and aware of the horse, as his/her partner—or were the with his/her horse to present the best possible routine. 6 exercises simply performed much as if on a balance beam? Composition is where vaulters can demonstrate their artistry, their All of the above criteria are things that the judge must process in order to originality, and their charisma. It is where many championships come up with a composition score after an individual’s one minute—or are won. At the highest levels of our sport, the top vaulters and a team’s four-minute—freestyle. There are various methodologies and top teams can all achieve a 10 in DOD—and many of them are so various worksheets that the judges use to help them with this score. It is solid in their performance that there are few faults. A well-written still, in my opinion, the most subjective score that we have to calculate. freestyle—especially in team—can determine who is on the The closer the vaulter can come to meeting the expectations above in all podium and who is not. categories, the better the score for composition should be. Good luck this 2010 season! Use of space and pace and variety are fairly easy to understand. They Interested in discussing this should be self-explanatory. article with others in our vaulting community? Do you have a question, a comment, or an alternate point of view? Let’s “talk”! Go to the AVA members-only website, click on Forums (your same user name and password) and then find the section for Equestrian Vaulting magazine. Click on the article title and join in or start a dialogue with other members about what you just read!
About the Author: An AVA judge since 1990, Suzanne Detol became an FEI “O” judge in 2001, and is well respected in the international judging arena. She is on the AVA board of directors, and is the organization’s Medal Test Secretary and Competitions Secretary.
Photo courtesy of Primo Ponies Photography
Camille Swan (left) and Mark Vernacchia both Photo courtesy of Primo Ponies Photography make "good use of space" on the horse.
26 EquestrianVaultinG | Summer 2010 The Road to WEG
Five of America's "A" teams are showing off their best work this 2010 competition season, vying for a spot on Team USA at the World Equestrian Games this coming October.
Right: Mt. Eden Vaulters with Sunny Boy, lunged by Emma Seely. Far Right: Sundae Rush with Sovira, lunged by Ingrid Hamar. Below Left: EPIC with Stanford, lunged by Teresa Keville. Below Center: Woodside Vaulters with Giovanni, lunged by Krista Mack. Below Right: F.A.C.E. Vaulters with Palatine, lunged by Carolyn Bland.
Photos courtesy of Primo Ponies Photography www.americanvaulting.org 27 3
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1. AVA Founder and 2. Leotards without 3. 1981 Gold 4. Team USA 5. Jeanette Boxall, 6. Elaborate braids 7. Rainbow Vaulters’ lunger Elizabeth Searle skirts for the girls, Women’s Champion Representatives 1986 Vaulting World and chevrons were Sonja Hansen, is decked out in formal and gymnastics pants Sydney Stang (flag) (Central Valley Vaulters) Championships silver big in the late 80s and representing the USA riding clothes as she for the boys, were in and a Sundance at the 1988 World medalist, vaults in early 90s, especially at the first World lunges for the vaulters fashion in this 1970's teammate sport Championships wore one of the first with teams. Pictured Equestrian Games in of Kennolyn, who wear Leprechaun Vaulters skirts. full body leotards with custom-designed here are Kerith Stockholm, Sweden, simple white shorts, photo. Note lunger simple vests. Vaulting unitards seen Lemon and Matthew in 1990. Shortly after, shirts and sneakers, Joyce Post's nifty shoes have replaced in 1988. Bossenmeyer of sequins and “show circa 1969. matching uniform. sneakers. Timberline on effects” were banned Woody, winning the from international, National “A” Team and eventually US, Championship. competition.
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8. In 1997, Crystal 9. The WEG 10. In 2008, FACE’s 11. Cassidy Palmer 12. Stage make-up 13. Team uniforms 14. Skirts come back Solarzano and Jon silver-medal winning “The Wall” team sports a jazzy look, and bright prints show get more daring, with full circle, this one on Bergstrom of Sundance F.A.M.E. team showed that uniforms complete with a up in the last few “torn” edges, and Woodside’s Ali Divita Vaulters were among (Free Artists Mt. Eden) can be in complete full-body uniform years, shown here on different colors on in 2009. the first to design their told a story with this sync with the music’s that mimics jazz Mary McCormick. Mt. Eden’s “A” team uniforms to match their Renaissance-era theme. The music was pants and a in 2009. music (Blue Danube), romantic look urban and extreme, cropped top. and to fully incorporate in 2006. the look and hair were their uniform, and their extreme, and the back horse Victor’s uniform, of the teams uniforms with the theme. spelled “The Wall” in what looked like graffiti spray paint. Through the AVA’s 40-year history, uniforms have changed—a lot! Follow our trip down vaulting uniform memory lane. www.americanvaulting.org 29 eventscalendar
July 3-4 July 29-August 1 Region IX Championships USEF/AVA National Championships Lexington, VA Santa Barbara, CA Elizabeth Brigham: [email protected] Linda Bibbler: [email protected] www.americanvaulting.org/Nationals2010 JULY 4-10 Warm Beach Vaulting Camp September 18-19 Stanwood, WA Great Falls & Topaz Vaulters Fall Fest Patti Skipton: [email protected] Frying Pan Park: Herndon, VA Jennifer Williams: July 8-11 [email protected] Region II Championships Grass Valley, CA September 25-October 10 Kelly Holly: World Equestrian Games [email protected] Kentucky Horse Park: Lexington, KY Pam Lane: [email protected] July 9-11 www.alltechfeigames.com CVIO** Aachen Aachen, Germany October 16-17 Pam Lane: [email protected] Harbor View Vaulters OktoberFest Donida Farm: Auburn, WA July 10-11 Lori Robinson: [email protected] Region IV Championships (253) 691-0676 Las Vegas, NM Merry Cole: [email protected] October 23 Mt. Eden’s Halloween Fest July 17-18 Saratoga, CA F.A.C.E.-Off Vaulting Challenge Marianne Rose: El Sueno Equestrian Center: Somis, CA [email protected] Carolyn Bland: [email protected] www.cadenceequestrianevents.com October 23-24 Region IV OktoberFest July 17-18 Castle Rock, CO Region III Championships Noel Martonovich: [email protected] North Plains, OR Suzanne Detol: [email protected] November 6-7 AVA Region I Championships “Vaulting July 19-23 in Vegas III” Cornerstone Vaulting Camp Horseman’s Park: Las Vegas, NV St. Louis, MO Connie Geisler: (909) 861-1564 Cortland Hendrick: [email protected]
VAULTING VERBATIM: Where has vaulting taken you? If vaulting has taken you somewhere interesting (metaphorically or physically!) let us know in 50 words or less! Be sure to include your name, club, city, state and age. Deadline: Aug. 16. Send submissions to editor@ americanvaulting.org. Listen Up! Shhhhh! A quick tip for improving vaulting is to “listen to the sound” of the vaulting on the barrel. If it sounds “clunky”… “bumpy”… “squeaky”… or if there is a noticeable sound of friction the chances are that the vaulter is not well balanced, light and stretched enough. “Quiet” vaulting on the barrel translates to better vaulting on the horse as it indicates that the vaulter is already centered and controlled.
30 EquestrianVaultinG | Summer 2010 Supporting Athletes Promoting International Excellence Building for the Future
Eventing
Dressage
Endurance
Vaulting
Driving Support our Country’s Athletes Show Jumping and their quest Reining to be World Champions
2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games with yourat contribution the to the USET Foundation.
Call or log on to the Foundation website NOW www.uset.org (908) 234-1251
Photo Credits: Vaulting ©R. Weber Photography, Dressage/Show Jumping/Eventing ©SusanJStickle.com/PhelpsSports.com, www.americanvaulting.org 31 Reining ©Andrea Bonaga, Endurance ©Bill McGhee, Driving ©www.hippoevent.at 32 EquestrianVaultinG | Summer 2010