[5] Therapeutic or interactive vaulting is also used as an activity for children and adults who may have balance, attention, gross motor skill or social deficits.

[7] It is believed by some that the origins of vaulting could be traced to the ancient Roman games, where acrobats usually displayed their skills on cantering horses.

The present name of the sport/art comes from the French la voltige, which it acquired during the Renaissance, when it was a form of riding drill and agility exercise for cavalry riders.

[8] Modern vaulting developed in post-war Germany as an initiative to introduce children to equestrian sports.

The vaulting horse moves in a minimum 15-metre diameter circle and is directed by a lunger (or "longeur") who stands in the center.

The components of a freestyle vaulting routine may include mounts and dismounts, handstands, kneeling and standing and aerial moves such jumps, leaps and tumbling skills.

The surcingle has special handles which aid the vaulter in performing certain moves as well as leather loops called "cossack stirrups".

While many European clubs do not compete to the right, they still work at home evenly both directions, believing this benefits the horse and the vaulter.

In many countries, vaulting associations organize and sponsor national, regional and local events every year.

Vaulters perform different compulsory exercises from the following list depending on the category and class they compete in: [12][13] The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) regulates dress codes for competitive vaulting.

Vaulters typically range in age from 7 to 30 years and older, practicing individual and team skills and routines.

The youngest athletes begin at the walk gait and progress to trot, and canter, based on strength, height, and ability to mount and performing on the horse.