Sisters riders learn vaulting

A transformation took place on Sunday, August 17, at the Black Butte Ranch Stables. Over the course of the day, seven Sisters girls, ranging in age from eight to12 years, learned the elements of equestrian vaulting, a horse sport that combines gymnastics, dance and horsemanship.

Their first attempts at a proper vaulting-style mount, onto a vaulting barrel, were self-conscious and not too graceful. By the afternoon, they were not only mounting the barrel with confidence, but had graduated to the patient Lilly, a nine-year-old Thoroughbred/Percheron cross mare who is a highly trained vaulting horse.

The clinic was offered free of charge by Laura Herman, a student at Lincoln High School in Portland, whose family runs Equine Management, the company supplying the horses to the Black Butte Ranch Stables. Laura is required to do a service project each year as part of her school program. Last year she offered a basic horsemanship camp, and this year shared her sport of choice, equestrian vaulting.

She spent the day cheerfully and patiently explaining, demonstrating and coaching.

Vaulting is included in the Olympics and World Equestrian Games, and is popular in Europe but relatively rare in the U.S. Laura has been working at it for three years, and counts herself fortunate to have Lilly as her mount. Lilly, who stands at 16.1 hands, is also a jumper and does dressage.

Advanced vaulting is done at a canter, with a handler, called a lunger, controlling the horse's speed and cadence. Lilly did her work on Sunday at a peaceful walk, building the confidence of the budding vaulters.

This is an activity suitable for any age and level of experience. One need not be an accomplished rider to participate.

Laura said, "When I started, I wasn't that great a rider. It gave me so much confidence and made me a much better rider."

All but one of the girls participating on Sunday had ridden previously, but when the day concluded with a demonstration of learned skills, it was impossible to pick out the non-rider in the group.

Sandra Herman, Laura's mother and Lilly's lunger for the day, complimented the girls on their helpfulness to each other and their willingness to try new things. A hot day and an afternoon thunderstorm didn't dim their enthusiasm.

Chelsea Tosello, one of the participants, said, "I think vaulting is a really good way to be one with your horse."

The consensus from the rest of the participants was that it was a great day and they were all glad they came. Laura, who hadn't conducted a clinic like this before, didn't know quite what to expect, but was pleased with the outcome.

There's no doubt that if a vaulting coach decides to move to Sisters, there will be girls lining up to learn more.