FEATURE REVIEWS Everything You Need to Know About the Most Popular in the U.S.

When looking for a new surcingle, ’hen it comes to choosing the right surcingle for your vaulters and club, there are remember there are many diferent many factors to consider. How does this surcingle ft my (s)? How much does styles as well as several diferent it cost? Is this surcingle good for compulsories? Freestyle? Team? Is it better for designers. Here are some key terms W advanced vaulters? Beginning vaulters? What do I need to know before I buy it? for handle shape that generally apply across all brands and makers: Surcingles are a big investment, so obviously it’s important to choose the best surcingle for NEUTRAL GRIP: the vaulter, horse, and lunger alike. The surcingles detailed here are among the most popular A curved handle shape allowing the models in the United States. Read on to discover which surcingle is best for you and your club. vaulter to hold with "neutral" wrists and inspired by parallel bar grip from gymnastics, this design enables stronger holds in handstands and protects vaulters’ wrists. ROUND SURCINGLE PRICE RANGE: $300 and up L-HANDLE: Named for its 90-degree bend, these handles make an "L" shape when ’his surcingle has been the standard looked at from a bird’s eye view. Many in vaulting since the 1960s and has people also refer to this as a standard Tremained a popular option for beginning “square” handle. clubs due to its low price point. S-HANDLE: Pros: Named for its curvy shape, it is similar Inexpensive option for beginning vaulters to the L-handle but instead features a and clubs - Starting as low as $300, this smooth curving bend, like the letter “S”. surcingle is an easy investment for a new club. Cons: SURCINGLE RETAILERS: Challenging for larger vaulters- Due to the small handle size, this surcingle presents WHERE TO BUY challenges to vaulters over 100 pounds. Lensing S, World Champion Challenging for more advanced vaulters- Voltigier Gurt: www.voltigiergurt.de Without the neutral grip, round handles are quite limiting. This surcingle is ideal for trot Pegasus Vaulting Supply: www.pvsupply.net and beginning canter vaulters, but not for Kristensen L, LV, and LD vaulters at the bronze level and above. Kristensen Vaulting Supply: Challenging for swings and handstands- Owen/VaultingPhotos.com of Lynne courtesy Photo www.vaulting-supply.dk Because there is no neutral grip, this surcingle is especially challenging for swings and Pegasus Vaulting Supply: www.pvsupply.net handstands on top of the handles. Skyline Equine: www.skylineequine.com Things to Think About: Round Growing clubs and growing vaulters- Vaulters quickly outgrow this surcingle, but Pegasus Vaulting Supply: www.pvsupply.net it’s always a great choice for beginners. For a Skyline Equine: www.skylineequine.com surcingle a vaulter can grow with, opt for a Voltigier Gurt: www.voltigiergurt.de Lensing or a Kristensen. Kristensen Vaulting Supply: www.vaulting-supply.dk 6 EQUESTRIANVAULTING | Volume 45, Issue 2 KRISTENSEN L SURCINGLE PRICE RANGE: $1800 and up Made by Meineke ’ith the original “square” handles Cons: designed by renowned lunger and Handles tip back on some - This Wtrainer Lasse Kristensen, this surcingle surcingle tends to tip back slightly on some sits low on the horse to create a , versatile horses, especially those with tall withers. platform for vaulting. With both neutral and This makes handstands on the handles forward grip positions, this surcingle is great for (especially swings to handstand) somewhat compulsories and freestyle alike. With smaller challenging. handles than the other Kristensen and Lensing Design slightly less sturdy than LV and LD surcingle models, the L is a great option for models- Because this is an older design, it is beginners, younger vaulters, and teams. less sturdy than the LV and LD designs. Pros: Hard handles- The handles are very lightly Great for swings and fight exercises- padded, making stands in the handles This surcingle’s neutral grip makes forward painful. Shin guards recommended, swings easier. especially on older models! Great for freestyle- The surcingle’s low Things to Think About: center of gravity makes it sturdy even in the Easy to fnd used- Many of the top clubs most challenging of freestyle moves. are switching out their old Kristensen L Power - Newer models feature a power surcingles for Lensing S or Kristensen LD girth. surcigles. Newer clubs might be able to fnd Photo courtesy of Lynne Owen/VaultingPhotos.com of Lynne courtesy Photo Sliding side - Newer models feature a good deal on used Kristensen L surcingles sliding . in the interim!

KRISTENSEN LV SURCINGLE PRICE RANGE: $1850 and up Made by Meineke mix between the classic Kristensen L Cons: surcingle and the new Kristensen LD, Challenging for reverse exercises in the Athe Kristensen LV surcingle sits low handles- The shape of these handles is on the horse, ensuring stability even under somewhat limiting for reverse exercises in the power of a moving vaulter. The LV grips the handles, like reverse stands. allow a variety of hand and foot positions, Break-in time- Some models of this and the surcingle’s versatility makes it great surcingle sport a peak between the grips, for vaulters of all levels. allowing extra room for the horse’s withers. Pros: While this is a great feature, it can be Excellent horse ft- Featuring adjustable uncomfortable until it is fully broken in. padding and a fexible tree, this surcingle fts Less versatile than the LD- While a great nearly every shape and size. surcingle, the handle shape of the Kristensen Power girth- The crank girth system maximizes LV makes it less versatile than the LD. leverage to make girth tightening easier for Things to Think About: humans and easier on horses, minimizing Not all surcingles are created equally- uncomfortable yanking and pulling. Because Meineke hand-makes these Sliding side system- Side reins easily surcingles, not every surcingle is the exact Photo courtesy of Alex Thomas of Alex courtesy Photo slide up and down on a track, making it easy same. While all Kristensen LD surcingles have to make quick adjustments. a similar shape, some may have slightly taller/ Stretching and custom-ftting required- Great for swings and fight exercises- In wider/shorter/narrower handles than another. Meineke ships its surcingles in a narrow box, addition to allowing a neutral grip, the Choose your features wisely- Adjustable so when you receive a new surcingle, it will handles on the Kristensen LV surcingle sit fat padding, sliding side reins, wither peak, look much too narrow to ft on a horse. On a when ftted properly, making handstands power girth, and color are all optional. towel or other soft surface, simply place the easier to hold. Make sure the surcingle you buy has all the surcingle handles down and stretch it wider features you want. until it fts your horse’s shape.

www.americanvaulting.org 7 LENSING WORLD CHAMPION SURCINGLE (C.L. KÜR I) Made by Reitsport Peter Sattlerei, Voltigier Gurt PRICE RANGE: $1850 and up

‘04 & ‘06), Joanne Eccles (Great Britain, ‘10 & Designed to be used on one horse, not ‘12), and Patrick Looser (Switzerland, ‘10), this several- The fipside of this surcingle’s fne surcingle is a great option for athletes looking craftsmanship is that this surcingle is designed to take their vaulting to the next level. with one horse in mind. Switching this Pros: surcingle between horses of diferent shapes Excellent for compulsories- A favorite for and sizes is not recommended. mounts and swings, the wide base allows Challenging for underhand mounts- ample room to balance the perfect handstand, Because of the dual handle design, this surcingle especially for larger, taller vaulters. can be quite challenging for shorter vaulters who Great for freestyle- Featuring both large, are not yet able to perform overhand mounts rounded handles and an L-shaped neutral (mounting with the center of gravity over the top grip, the opportunities are nearly endless! of the surcingle, rather than below it). Great for larger vaulters- With large handles No power girth- This surcingle does not come and sturdy manufacturing, this surcingle is with a crank girth system, though you can designed with larger, stronger vaulters in mind. purchase one from Kristensen Vaulting Supply and have it installed aftermarket. Luckily, the Outstanding craftsmanship- The World billet straps on this surcingle are long and Champion surcingle is built to last, rarely supple, making girth tightening easier. Photo courtesy of Kate Revell/VaultingPhotos.com of Kate courtesy Photo peeling, scufng, or otherwise deteriorating with proper care. No sliding side reins- This surcingle does not reated by world champions for world come with the Kristensen sliding side rein system. Cons: champions, this surcingle is the best Wide center of gravity- The handles on this Things to Think About: of both worlds. Featuring large, round C surcingle sit high and wide, which, while great Horse ft- Make sure to check the ft before handles in addition to an L-shaped neutral for compulsories, can present challenges in purchasing. While this surcingle fts some grip, it provides a sturdy base for compulsories freestyle. Due to this wide center of gravity, horses well, it doesn’t ft all. and myriad options for freestyle. Used by one-legged stands in the handle are especially big-name World Champions like Nicola Ströh challenging and can create surcingle slippage (Germany, ‘04 & ‘08), Kai Vorberg (Germany, on some horse body types.

KRISTENSEN LD SURCINGLE PRICE RANGE: $1850 and up Made by Meineke

’he latest surcingle designed by four-time Pros: Great for freestyle- With deep handles as world medalist and renowned lunger Excellent horse ft- Featuring adjustable well as both neutral and forward grips, almost TLasse Kristensen, the Kristensen LD is padding and a fexible tree, this surcingle fts anything is possible with this surcingle. easily one of the best surcingles on the market. nearly every shape and size. Great for team freestyle- Sturdy, easy-to- Designed with the elite equine in mind, the LD Power girth- The crank girth system maximizes stand-in handles, unobtrusive for neck basing, features adjustable Velcro padding on a sturdy, leverage to make girth tightening easier for and great for multiple grips, this surcingle is yet fexible tree. Simply by moving the pads humans and easier on horses, minimizing used by top teams around the world. up or down and by fexing the tree to a wider uncomfortable yanking and pulling. or narrower setting, the LD fts comfortably on All-arounder- This surcingle is great for all just about any horse. The surcingle’s sliding side Sliding side rein system- Side reins easily levels of vaulters performing compulsories, rein system and power girth makes quick side slide up and down on a track, making it easy freestyle, technical test, and team freestyle. rein adjustments and girth tightening easy and to make quick adjustments. Cons: painless. Sturdy even in the most complicated Great for swings and fight exercises- In Break-in time- Some models of this surcingle of down and ups and one-legged stands, the addition to allowing a neutral grip, the handles sport a peak between the grips, allowing extra Kristensen LD surcingle is a great all-around on the Kristensen LD surcingle sit fat when ftted room for the horse’s withers. While this is a surcingle for vaulters of all levels and horses of properly, making handstands easier to hold. great feature, it can be uncomfortable until it almost all sizes. is fully broken in.

8 EQUESTRIANVAULTING | Volume 45, Issue 2 LENSING S SURCINGLE (C.L. KÜR II) PRICE RANGE: $1975 and up Made by Reitsport Peter Sattlerei, Voltigier Gurt

eveloped in cooperation with three- ofers multiple grip options, and is used by top time world and European champion teams around the world. DChristoph Lensing, the Lensing S Handle change system- Some models come surcingle is extremely popular among canter equipped with a handle-change system, vaulters, especially on the elite vaulting circuit. allowing vaulters to switch out the handles The gently curving handle shape allows without changing the base. vaulters to use both forward and neutral grips throughout their compulsories, and the deep, Cons: Y-shaped handle bottom makes complicated Designed to be used on one horse, not freestyle moves, like stands and handstands in several- This surcingle is designed with the handles, signifcantly easier. Used by world one horse in mind. Even though it features champions and beginners alike, many vaulters adjustable Velcro padding, the shape of the of all levels prefer this surcingle. pads is not ideal for all horses. Switching this surcingle between horses of diferent shapes Pros: and sizes is not recommended. Excellent for freestyle- With a gentle S-shape on top, and a deep Y-shape on the bottom, this Higher center of gravity- The Lensing S surcingle provides optimum grip positions and surcingle sits high on the horse. While this is foot holds for complicated freestyle moves. helpful for many moves, it creates a slightly

less sturdy surcingle that can cause soreness Revell/VaultingPhotos.com of Kate courtesy Photo Great for high-level mounts- With a fat and may slip if not tight enough. middle between the two grips, this surcingle purchase one from Kristensen Vaulting Supply has a perfect platform for the right hand in Challenging for reverse swings- Because and have it installed aftermarket. Luckily, the upper level mounts. the handles are quite high, reverse swings billet straps on this surcingle are long and are challenging at frst. With practice, this supple, making girth tightening easier. Great for forward swings and fight becomes a non-issue. exercises- In addition to allowing a neutral No sliding side reins- This surcingle does not grip, the handles on the Lensing S surcingle sit Hard handles- The handles are very lightly come with the Kristensen sliding side rein system. fat when ftted properly, making handstands padded, making stands in the handles painful. Shin guards recommended! Things to Think About: easier to hold. Horse ft- Make sure to check the ft before Great for team vaulting- This surcingle is No power girth- This surcingle does not come purchasing. While this surcingle fts some great for standing in the handles, neck basing, with a crank girth system, though you can horses well, it doesn’t ft all.

Challenging for handstand in the handles- Stretching and custom-ftting required- Many vaulters fnd handstand in the handles Meineke ships its surcingles in a narrow box, challenging or impossible in these handles, so when you receive a new surcingle, it will mainly because of their shape. look much too narrow to ft on a horse. On a Things to Think About: towel or other soft surface, simply place the Not all surcingles are created equally- surcingle handles down and stretch it wider Because Meineke hand-makes these until it fts your horse’s shape. surcingles, not every surcingle is the exact same. While all Kristensen LD surcingles have *Surcingle price ranges include a similar shape, some may have slightly taller/ cost of surcingle only, not including wider/shorter/narrower handles than another. accessories such as side reins, girths, Choose your features wisely- Adjustable or any personalization. Prices may padding, sliding side reins, wither peak, power vary with currency exchange rates girth, and color are all optional. Make sure and choice of distributor. the surcingle you buy has all the features you want. Photo courtesy of Kate Revell/VaultingPhotos.com of Kate courtesy Photo

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