Frequently Asked Questions

What should I bring & wear for the tryouts?

All minor vaulters must bring a parent or guardian to their first tryout / practice to help fill out release and application forms including hold harmless agreements.

Most of our practices are in a covered, but not fully enclosed, arena so it may be hot or cold depending on the weather. Vaulters should dress in layers. As your levels of activities rise and fall you will want to shed your outer layers to keep from getting too hot and put them back on as you get cooler. Your outer layers need to be loose enough and the inner layers stretchy enough to allow a wide range of motion of all limbs. Sweatshirt and athletic warm-up pants over tee shirt and spandex tights work best in cool weather. Add a loose jacket, knit hat and gloves or mittens if it is cold outside. Vaulters should also bring a full water bottle, especially in warmer weather. If you have close fitting soft shoes with a rubbery sole, like aqua-socks, bring them too, otherwise bring a pair of thick socks that can get dirty. As the weather warms up and the outdoor arenas dry out, we may shift some of our activity outdoors, so also bring sunscreen if the forecast is for sunshine.

Parents, guardians and other observers are always welcome and should dress for an outdoor spectator activity. You might wish to bring a folding chair and if it is cold, a blanket. Spectators may also wish to bring a hot or cold drink depending on the weather.

How much does vaulting cost?

Perspective vaulters may participate in one practice with the club for free, provided that vaulter and parents have completed the required releases and application.

As of May 2007 our current club membership fees are $100/month and together with sponsorships cover the club's expenses associated with two practices per week. Fees for fall 2007 and the 2008 season will depend on estimated boarding, facility and equipment costs. Club members are also expected to join the American Vaulting Association [AVA] $40/year.

Our members are also expected to cover their own expenses associated with competitive vaulting. This includes competition entry fees, a share of the horses' show expenses (including entry, hauling and stabling fees), vaulter & parent travel / lodging expenses and required uniforms (shoes, unitard, warm-ups etc).

How do I get to NW Natural Horsemanship Center and where at NWNHC do I find the Cascade Vaulters?

NW Natural Horsemanship Center is located at Patterson Creek Farm near Fall City, WA on SR-202 (across 308th Ave SE from the ball fields). We typically meet in the main arena, which is down the driveway past the house from the main gate.

Depending on available coaching and horse time we may need to limit practice participation to existing club members or we may need to limit tryouts to first arrivals. Also please contact us before coming to a practice as we may not hold practice if we are traveling for competitions and other events.

When do you accept new members?

We allow perspective vaulters to join us during regularly scheduled practices until we reach our target membership levels. If/when we exceed our recruiting goals, we maintain a waiting list of perspective vaulters to fill any vacancies if current members leave.

What is Equestrian Vaulting?

Equestrian Vaulting is a combination of dance and gymnastics preformed to music on a horse at the walk, trot or canter. Along with show jumping, dressage, eventing, driving, endurance and reining, vaulting is one of the seven nationally (USEF) and internationally (FEI) recognized equestrian disciplines.

Are the Cascade Vaulters a vaulting new club?

The Cascade Vaulters club is an offshoot of the Redwing Vaulters in Redmond, WA. Our club was formed in October 2004. We are a parent, volunteer and sponsor supported, non-profit youth organization whose primary goals are to:

Do perspective members need experience in vaulting or gymnastics before trying-out?

No previous experience or specific level of physical fitness is required to join the Cascade Vaulters. Though any experience with gymnastics, dance or horseback riding is helpful. Also general physical fitness and strength will also make vaulting as a beginner easier.

When and where are the National Championships for vaulting?

The 2007 USEF/AVA National Championships will be held August 9 through 12 in Denver, CO. The 2006 USEF/AVA National Championships were held July 27-30 in City of Industry, CA (east of Los Angeles).

When do you practice and perform?

We practice on Saturdays from 9 AM to 11 AM and on Wednesdays from 4 to 6 PM at the NW Natural Horsemanship Center, near Fall City, WA. Performances are usually on a weekend and range from local day outings to full weekend trips to Oregon and British Columbia.

How many vaulters are in your club?

During the 2005 and 2006 seasons our club averaged five to seven active vaulters. We wish to maintain between four and six vaulters per coach and no more than eight vaulters per horse.

Is vaulting a safe sport?

'Yes, vaulting is not only the safest of the equestrian sports, it is documented safer than riding bicycles, playing on playground equipment, and even playing soccer. For more info on vaulting safety visit the American Vaulting Association website.'

What are the age requirements for Vaulting?

There are no set upper or lower age limits for vaulting. Most vaulters are between that ages of seven and twenty five. The world champions tend to be in their early twenties. Vaulters as young as three are often able to compete / preform in "Tiny Tot" classes offered at many fests [competitions].

The Cascade Vaulters evaluate younger perspective members on a case by case basis. Mostly we're looking for commitment and maturity from our youngest competitive members. We're more flexible when evaluating recreational / drop-in members.

Where have you practiced and preformed in the past?

A local family was very supportive of our former club, the Redwing Vaulters. For many years they allowed us to practice in their privately owned arena just off Union Hill Rd. and on their wonderful horses. But for reasons unrelated to vaulting they needed to substantially cut their support in September 2004.

Thus a few former members of the Redwing Vaulters started the Cascade Vaulters that October. We practiced at the Cherry Creek Equestrian Center from December 2004 through June 2005 and at Mecca Equestrian Center from July 2005 through October 2006.

Our club participated in competitions in Oregon, Washington, Colorado and British Columbia during the 2005 and 2006 competitive seasons.

We organized a performance that included several local vaulting clubs at the Bridle Trails State Park Foundation's "Party in the Park" in June 2006. Members of the Redwing Vaulters publicly presented several vaulting demonstrations in recent years including performances at the 2002 Evergreen Classic in Marymore Park and at local fair grounds in Monroe, Puyallup and Enumclaw. We have also performed at regional and national vaulting competitions.

Is there any weight limit?

In the AVA rules, there used to be a 400 pound weight limit for combinations of two and three vaulters in the Team Freestyle competition. However the current rules for Team Freestyle place much more emphasis on the ability of the specific horse and read: "Over weighting or overloading the horse will be penalized". In individual competition, the rules do not explicitly address weight.

Because much of vaulting involves moving and supporting your own body, vaulters who are over weight or obese have to work much harder then more physically fit vaulters. Other clubs have worked successfully with highly motivated overweight and/or obese vaulters, even training them to competitive levels.