I want to learn how to vault.

[Daffy Dilly]

I'm fed up of not being able to vault. Not that it's a vital skill or anything, I just want to be able to, especially as I want to do some mounted games. :p

Any tips? He's 14.2 and I'm 5'5, if that makes a difference. I am willing to hit the floor a few times if I have to, just not in public, so I need to get good at it. ;)

[leviskipperette]

yeah let me know too, whats the magic secret? i cant jump on my 14.2 and im 5'3. id just find it handy for when i have to get down then get back up when im riding bareback.

[WandowenRedFx]

i can vault .... :rolleyes: coz i did mounted games and we got into the state finals!

[choseycheeks]

I learned to vault on a 16hh horse! Just keep trying! I do mounted games for eglinton so i had to learn! Just won the Prince Phillip cup. Go Eggy!

[WandowenRedFx]

hey i did prince phillip games too! but for australia

[choseycheeks]

Is the state finals like The Prince Phillip cup? How did you do when you competed?

[Captain Equidan]

I suggest you find a copy of the first episode of 'The Queens Cavalry' from BBC1 recently. That will teach you all you need to know!

[hApPiNeSs]

with great difficulty :o

i actually found that putting a saddle on a hedge and trying to leap up at that helped, mainly because i could not inflict any injury to the horse. :o

what is the actaul technique for vaulting? i kind of leap and struggle in mid air - but there must be a better way of doing it?

[notpoodle]

when you do actual vaulting (as in the sport), there is a technique for getting on (i used to do vaulting when i was little). the horse is on the lunge cantering in a circle, you run/bounce alongside the horse and then proceed to bounce onto the horse whilst holding on the the vaulting girth thing's handles. its not about pulling yourself up as such, but more about using your bouncey energy.

julia
x

[Captain Equidan]

Momentum when the horse is moving.

People tent to want to vault onto the horse all in one movement. This is where they become stuck, or in a pile on the floor.

Hold onto the Pommel with left hand and cantle with right. Bend your legs and spring up, landing with your belly/Upper legs on the saddle. If you do this right, like the Cpl on Queens Cavalry said, you could stay there all day. Then all you gotta do is swing your right leg over.

Dont attempt to jump up and swing your leg over in one go - screams failure unless you were an athletic/gymnastic child.

[notpoodle]

i find that if i try to get on mine (12.3hh :rolleyes: ) from a standstill i end up lying across her back and dont seem to be able to swing my leg across :o

julia
x

[xXSundanceBayXx]

start by getting someone to hold your horse and take a run up. when you get to your horse put your hands onto his back and spring up, bend your knees and pull yourself up with your arms. once you can do this well try it from a stand still. :)

[notpoodle]

it all sounds a might painful for the horse :rolleyes:

julia
x

[Daffy Dilly]

I can get partway across his back, then I slip off. I suspect that with something to grab onto it'd be easier. If I could stand him on a hill and run down towards him I could probably get the hang of the getting on bit, and would then have to practise it on the flat and when he's moving.

I think I'm going to end up very muddy :p