A PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN VAULTING ASSOCIATION

No. 52 A.V.A., P.O. Box 1307, San Juan Bautista, California 95045 February 1978

World champion individual,Scott MacDonald, of theHarlequin Vaulters, LosAngeles: U.S. Team,Coach J. Ashton Moore, andPepito, the Darmstadt horse,which carried the U.S.vaulters to victory.

CALENDAR OF VAULTING ACTIVITIES

February 18 Cal Poly Competition/ Bronze Medal 'ExamApril 2 Garrod Farms Competition (Recognized)

Information: Contact Jane Garrod22600 Mt. EdenSaratoga, California(408) 867-9527

July 26-29 Instructors, Judges Clinic, ForumOsierleaP.O. Box 1307San Juan Bautista, California 95045

July 29 Judge's ForumOsierleaOpen to Spectators

August 10-13 National Vaulting FestBolada Park, California

Please send dates of all A . V . A . activities (plus information regarding allunrecognized playdays, competitions, etc.) to the Editor at least two monthsprior to the event to al low adequate time for publication.

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ANNUAL MEETING AN OVERWHELMING SUCCESS

January 6,7 & 8th marked the dates for the A.V.A. Annual Meeting, which washeld once again at the Santa Cruz Holiday Inn. Because of additional informationto consider, as well as the planning of the upcoming 1979 U.S.-hosted InternationalCompetition, the meeting was extended to three days this year, which proved veryprofitable in a number of ways.

As a result of the committee meetings you can expect within the next year tosee (l) a comprehensive booklet regarding everything necessary to start a new team,from insurance considerations, to barrel specifications, to people available toassist in the formative stages; (2) a booklet on putting on competitions; (3) decalsand membership cards for all registered vaulters; plus (4) a new, revised A.V.A.Rulebook, to mention' just some of what was accomplished.

The dates (August 10-13) were selected for the 1978 National Fest, as well asthe location (Bolada Park, again) and the hosting team (Pt. Reyes).

Much information was gleaned regarding the upcoming International Competition,which, it appears, will be a gargantuan task, with the U.S. responsible for providingfor 75 Europeans (housing, horses for competition, entertainment, etc.), in additionto actually running the entire competition, in conjunction with the 1979 Nationals.

The meetings were on a definite upbeat, with much hope for continued growth thisyear in the A.V.A.

The details of the Meeting for Sustaining Members will be discussed in theupcoming March issue, when the Newsletter will include the Minutes (Official Record!)of the week-end's activities.

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RAWHIDE RANCH VAULTING TEAM

Vaulting, Introduced to Rawhide Ranch, several years ago, has met with immensepopularity in the past year, and has now become a regular part of the ranch program.Rawhide Ranch is a camp where children age's 7 to 16 can learn to ride, show, andcare for horses and other livestock. It was in the camp program that vaulting firstgot its successful start.

At the beginning of camp, each camper is given a couple of basic vaulting classesto introduce him to vaulting and as preparation for riding. Those campers who are newto horses are started with simple exercises on the longe line, while more experiencedriders proceed with the compulsory exercises. Vaulting has helped many campers over-come their fears, while developing balance and co-ordination. As the week progresses,vaulting is held as an elective for those who want to continue with it.

Camp runs.for twelve weeks during the summer, one week at Christmas and Easter,and certain weekends. Since its start, the vaulting program has expanded. We nowhave our own vaulting arena, two vaulting barrels with a protective roof, two surcinglesand about six horses broke to vault. Unfortunately, several of these horses arebroodmares, so we use them mostly during the summer months. Last summer, we gavevaulting classes five days a week, four to six classes per day, with ten to fifteencampers per class. On the last night of each camp, we hold a horse show, which includestwo levels of vaulting competition. The following morning is a Rodeo and vaultingexhibition for the parents to watch before the campers leave.

The camp program has three levels of vaulting. The beginning vaultermust beable to perform the six compulsory exercises, several emergency dismounts and otherbasics at the trot, before achieving the second level. At the second level, the vaulterbegins work at the canter, learns to longe and assist in teaching the beginners. Hemust also pass a written test, perform all the compulsory and certain kur exercises atthe canter, with good form and elevation, before going on to the third level. At thepresent, there are about twenty second level vaulters who 'are working toward the thirdlevel award.

A fairly new program at Rawhide is the Christian Day School which began lastSeptember. The twelve students range from second grade to high school age and studythe same academic subjects as in public school. The school's physical education classesare a little different, however, as they alternate between riding, vaulting and rodeoclasses.

Continued page 4

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Double Tailor Seat, as shown by thLompoc 4-H Vaulters at the 1977 NaVaulting Fest. This was Lompoc'sfirst appearance at a national fesyet another team in the ever-swellranks of the A.V.A.

Rawhide Ranch, continued from page 3

An important part of Rawhide Ranch is Rawhide Vocational College, a two yearChristian school that trains college students to handle horses, livestock and campchildren. Vaulting is a well loved by the college students as the campers, and isnow offered as an elective class twice a week. There are currently fifteen studentsinvolved in this class.

Mr. Clarence Chown, the owner and director of Rawhide Ranch, is a great supporterof vaulting. He loaned us his vaulting book, rented various films so we could seeother teams work, and arranged for Miss Jeanin Vore to give us special vaulting classesWe are very grateful to Mr. Chown, Jeanine and the many other who have helped us. Al-though we only recently began work at the canter, we hope to attend some clinics andcompetitions this year. Being a part of the A.V.A. will keep us in touch with othervaulters, so we'll look forward to meeting some of you!

The Whidby Island Vaulters performing at the 1977A.V.A. National Vaulting Fest. Pictured are aDouble Mill (left) and Double Stand (right).

UNIT TEACHING AIDS

by Lauri Ober

In teaching vaulters, right from the start, I have found It advantaneous toencourage the youngsters to reach out for definite goals beyond their immediategrasp, to keep pushing each to diversify, to broaden ability levels. To facili-

system of "Units", described below, designed to guidein the many aspects of vaulting.

__ ... „ ._., as a vaulter completes the requirements for each given"Unit", he can then receive recognition either in the form of a small medal orperhaps a certificate, given by the vaulting club or by the coach.

By setting up a checklist for each vaulter, the child can refer back to it atany time to measure his progress as he aims for new goals.

In setting up the actual "Units", obviously not all possibilities have beenenumerated.

grasp, to keep pushingtate this, I have devised avaulters toward achievement

Based on a checklist,

asThis list below has worked successfully for my vaulters,a guideline, or altered to meet the individual needs of a

and can begiven teamfollowed

club.For my vaulters, requirements on the horse have been checked off as a given

exercise was successfully performed at a canter with reasonable security and form.I have felt it important to set the standards high, to maximize the importance ofevery new achievement.

I. HORSE CAREA. Equipment-cleaning

-adjustmentB. General Health RequirementsC. Complete Preparation for Competition

1. Braiding2. Clipping3. Wrapping legs4. Thorough grooming

II. EMERGENCY PROCEDUREA. Mastery of Following Techniques

or

VII. SILVER LEVEL

VIII. GOLD LEVEL

IX.

X

1. Dismount-Forward Roll2. Dismount-Back Roll3. Knees Off4. Feet Off5. Off Double (Top & Back)

I I I

I V .

B. Safety Precautions

GROUND WORK *A. 1 % Minute IndividualB. 3 Minute Team Kur

Kur

BARREL WORK *A. 1 % Minute Individual KurB. 5 Minute Team Kur

V. BRONZE LEVEL

VI. MOUNTSA. 5 of Following 11; 8 for Honor Status

1. Scissors On2. Cross-scissors on3. Mount to Knees4. Mount to Feet5. Mount to Flag6. Mount to Swan7. Outside Sideseat8. Inside Sideseat9. Inside of Neck10. Outside of Neck11. Mount to Roll Up Position

KURA. 1 h Minute Individual KurB. Team Kur *DISMOUNTSA. 6 of Following 15, 10 for Honor

1. Scissors Off2. Arabesque Off ' -3. Push Off Neck4. Walk Off Croup5. Push Off Croup6. Leapfrog Off7. Split Kick Off8. Corkscrew9. Shoulderstand Off10. Somersault Off Croup11. Somersault Off Neck12. Roll Up Flip Off13. Back Flip Off14. Back Extension Off

Reverse Scissor Arabesque15.XI. BASING

A. 9 of FollowingHonor Status.

14; Original for

Continued page 8

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1. Double Decker2. Bridge3. Jump Through4. Quadruped5. Flip Off6. Arabesque7. Standing Angel8. Supported Handstand9. Deadman-Front

10. Deadman-Back11. Supporting Standing in Rear12. Elevated Flag/Arabesque13. Tower14. Bremen Minstrels

Unit Teaching Aids, continued from page 5

XII. LONGINGA. Knowledge of Horse Carriage, GaitsB. L o n g i n g for Class Si tuat ion

XIII. TRANSFERSA. 5 of Following 8; Original for

Honor Status1. Jump Through-Forward2. Jump Through-Back3. Swing Over4. Dive Through5. A.V.A.-Mover6. A.V.A.-Base7. Down & Up Transfer8. Handstand Transfer

For these units, the vaulter is requiredto write 5 minute kurs (ground, barrel, orhorse-) to be actually performed at teammeeting with abbreviated teams of 4 vaultersThis puts students in touch with the actualproblems of constructing and coordinatingcompetitive kurs. Team members for "Unit"requirements are to be chosen by the indi-vidual vaulters themselves.

What does a Champion Vaulting Horselook like? Here he is, MILKY WAY,the famous East Friesian geldingwhich has carried the Stuttgart RidingClub team five times to the NationalChampionship.

ODDS ENDS

Did you know that Scott MacDonald, recent International Champion, was hired byGarrod Farms, and is now coaching all their vaulting programs? Garrod now alsohas a covered, padded barrel area, specially designed vaulting arena with lightsand springy terrain, and soon will have mechanics.

Look out for a new team out of Westlake Village in Southern California. LillyWalters, Coach of the MacFarland Vaulters, was recently hired'to start a vaultingprogram at Westlake Stables, with the full backing of the management.

Richard Silva, from Hawaii, has moved for the winter to Boulder, Colorado, wherehe is planning to start as many vaulting programs as possible.

Southern California has recently had an organized meeting of all local teamcoaches and other interested parties (from San Diego to Lompoc), with hopes ofunifying efforts for more vaulting activities in the area. Since the majorityof Southern California teams are in the young stages, it was hoped to providemore exposure to competitions for beginning youngsters, while providing shortterm goals for more advanced vaulters. It was decided to have at least onecompetition, recognised or otherwise, every other month.

Lyndee Cox, left, holds Hillary Stimmel in awheelbarrow" as Mrs. Marcie Stimmel, far

right, controls the speed of the horse.

Not 'horsing around': vaultingpromises coordination, rhythmStory and photographs by KAY HORD

When I announced to the people in The Reporter-Telegram office that I would be writing a feature storyon horse vaulting—gymnastics performed on amoving horse—three reactions emerged.

The first reaction consisted of persons movingquietly by quickly across the room.

The second included cute comments like, 'that'swonderful, but isn't it hard to get the horses to holdonto the little poles?"

The third reaction was summarized very nicely by aR-T photographer who, after printing my photos ofMidland's vaulting team in action, asked, "Why arethese people DOING this?"

Several of the team members joined the vaultingteam with the promise of a better life to come, in-cluding improved coordination, rhythm, balance andtiming.

It must work. Even the youngest team member, atseven years of age, thinks nothing of performinggymnastics on the back of a horse as it trots aroundthe arena.

"Vaulting has really helped my riding," saidLyndee Knox, who competes in riding and jumpingcompetition and who recently returned from a com-petition with five ribbons and trophies.

"I don't know. It's just fun," said Erin Hotchkiss."Valerie (Menzel, the coach) doesn't like vaulting,"

ribbed Mrs. Marcie Stimmel, sponsor for the team.

"Oh no. I love it," Valerie replied. Team memberscasually throw around such terms as flank, scissors,flags and double flags, referring to various gym-nanstic tricks.

Practice for the tricks first is performed on a barrel,then on a stationary horse and finally on the movinghorse. Teammates watch, critique and help whilestunts are being performed. Perfection is the goal.

Vaulting teams work toward bronze, silver and gold-9-

medals by perfecting compulsory and Kur (freestyle)exercises. To receive the bronze medal, a vaultermust earn a score of six on all compulsory exercises.Scoring is on a scale of zero to 10.

For the silver medal, a vaulter must perform all-compulsory and four Kur exercises with a score ofseven or above. Ttje rare gold medalist has performedall compulsory exercises plus six Kur with a score ofeight or above.

Vaulters are scored by an examiner. Midland'svaulting team will perform for an examiner Oct. 31and Nov. 1. Three of the girls will be trying for theirsilver medals, and several team members will beworking for their bronze.

Tina Stimmel has tried for her silver medal before.She was the highest ranking vaulter of those trying forthe silver at the last competition, but she fell a littleshort with a score of 6.5.

"It was a little embarraseing when I forgot how toget off," she said.

"Performing in front of people is really neat," shesaid. "You're nervous, but it feels great."

The Midland team holds performances ap-proximately four times a year. The latest was duringthe South Plains Fair last weekend in Lubbock.

"Right now we're kind of far away from everything,said Mrs. Stimmel. Most of the vaulting teams andcompetitions are in California and Arizona' butthere.'sa new team in San Angelo and one in Lubbock. It won'tbe long before we'll be holding our own competitionsand things out here."

.Vaulting began in Roman times 'as a means oftraining mounted soldiers to ride. While very popularin Europe, especially Germany, the sport is justbeginning to grow in the United States.

The American Vaulting Aasociation is working tohave vaulting reaccepted into the Olympic Games as adivision of gymnastics. The last Olympic vaultingcompetition was held in Antwerp, Belgium in 1924.

Coach James Brooks (229 Glendale Road, Northampton, Massachusetts), of the 4-HHorseless Horse Science Club, travels in a 120-mile radius of North Massachusetts,spreading the good word about vaulting with "Charlie Jinks". Pictured is CindyHamel on said "Charlie Jinks".

I 1 I I I I 1 I I IATTENTIONA list Is being compiled for the A.V.A. Vaulting Information Pamphlet which

will name currently available instructors. The purpose of this list will be toput new groups in contact with possible coaches. If you would like a job instructingor .organizing f.pr a neyi club, please send your name, address, and phone number toRichard B. Sylva, 3100'34th Street, #37-B, Boulder, Colorado 80301, as soon as possible!

COACHES, TAKE HEED!!!

March Issue of A.V.A. Newsletter will be an Issue devoted in large part to thekinds of things various teams do to maintain high morale, to keep their vaultersworking up to potential. Every team at some time must experience a slump. What doyour teams do to minimize those bad times, maximize their progress, encourage unifi-cation of team spirit, and swell their ranks? If each team could submit some infor-mation regarding their way of dealing with th.e above to the A.V.A. Editor, it couldbe compiled for the Newsletter. Please write and support the growth of the Paper!

A.V.A. Newsletter is the official publication of the American Vaulting AssociationAll contributions should be mailed to the Editor, Lauri Ober, 2440 S. Barrington, #108,Los Angeles, California 90064.

Change of Address and other membership information should be sent to:

Adrienne Stang20449 Glen BraeSaratoga, California 95070

Request for medal testing and other medal related information should be directed to:

Edith Cornell148 Whellock RoadWatsonville, California 95076

Team MembershipTeam RegistrationIndividual Vaulters

Sustaining MembersSubscription to A.V.A. News

ANNUAL DUES

$35.007.50 (including insurance)15.0010.00

Tear off the below form to apply for your membership in the A.V.A. Pleasehelp support your National Vaulting Association by joining todayl!!

Name

APPLICATION FOR SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP

Address

Team Affiliation, if

Date of Application Amount enclosed

Mail to: Adrienne Stang, 20449 Glen Brae, Saratoga, California 95070.

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AMERICAN VAULTING ASSOCIATION

P.O. BOX 1307 SAN JUAN BAUTISTA, CA 95045