Arcadia Pony Club Riders Vault Into Action with Equestrian Vaulting Clinic

Arcadia Pony Club in NSW recently partnered with Wellington Park Equestrian for an ‘Introduction to Equestrian Vaulting’ clinic to highlight Equestrian Vaulting as one of Pony Club Australia’s ‘disciplines of the month’.

Riders from Arcadia Pony Club and other Zone 23 Clubs, along with some new to pony club riders, attended and all were introduced to Equestrian Vaulting across the many facets of the sport.

Wellington Park Equestrian hosted the clinic, at their specialised vaulting training facility with Ginger Kennett, Australia’s #1 Equestrian Vaulter, placing 16th at the FEI Senior World Championships in July 2024, along with Georgie Kennett, FEI Level 1 Vaulting Coach and Lunger.

Clinic participants learnt:

• What equestrian vaulting is – gymnastics and dance on horses
• The role of the vaulter, horse and lunger combined with the welfare of the horse.
• All the gear and what’s allowed/not allowed
• Whilst most vaulters compete as individuals – the sport is very much focused on the triangular relationship of trust and kindness between the vaulter, lunger and the horse
• Vaulters train many hours a week on mats and barrels and “movie” (mechanical horse) before training moves on the horse
• Vaulting horses are not just “vaulting” horses – they are ridden and cross trained across a range of exercise to assist balance and strength which helps them enjoy their vaulting time
• The preliminary moves and some basic Pas De Deux moves on the barrel and movie
• Vaulting demonstrations from the Wellington Park team.

The participants also met Furst Maximus, stable name ‘Franzi’, who is Ginger’s competition horse – who at 18 hands was way taller than all the vaulters! Franzi was very helpful in showing all the vaulting gear.

The feedback from the clinic has been so positive and we are planning another clinic for the school holidays or early in 2025.