As the 2026 FEI Vaulting World Championships get underway in Aachen, Germany this week, the discipline of vaulting will take center stage during week one of the championships, from August 13 to August 16. How does vaulting work? Read more below and tune in to cheer on the U.S. Vaulting Team this week in Germany!
Often referred to as gymnastics on horseback, vaulting is one of the oldest known forms of equestrian sport. Originally performed on bulls, this ancient sport can be dated back to Crete and the Roman games, where “artistic riding” was performed. The Roman cavalry adopted these acrobatic performances into their training to develop agility and battle techniques upon horseback. Throughout the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, it became common for Italian and French high-ranking knights and noblemen to learn vaulting or “La Voltige” as part of their required equestrian education. During this time, learning these skills was vital for maintaining social status and only upper-class citizens had access to this education. German theologian Johannes Valentinus Andreae came across La Voltige during his travels to Italy in the 1700s. Fascinated by the innate beauty and grace of the sport, he introduced it to Germany, where it became known as Voltigieren.
Voltigieren evolved into the modern version of vaulting after World War II ended in 1945, as it was used to introduce children to equestrian sport, and it didn’t take long for the practice to spread to neighboring European countries. In the 1950s, it was formally brought over to the United States after Elizabeth Searle of California, was introduced to the sport while visiting Europe. Searle was inspired and believed the United States Pony Club would benefit if they offered vaulting to USPC members. In 1968, she co-founded the American Vaulting Association (AVA) with Jeff Ashton Moore, and the first official vaulting competition held in the United States took place in 1969 at the Santa Cruz County fairgrounds in Watsonville, Calif. Today the AVA, now known as Equestrian Vaulting USA, has more than 141 clubs and 1,200 members across the United States and Canada.
By the 1970s, American vaulters participated in an international exchange with German vaulters, and in 1983 the sport of vaulting was officially recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) in 1983. In 1990, vaulting was included in the inaugural World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, and the first FEI Vaulting World Cup™ Final took place in 2011. Vaulting has grown since its inception and is enjoyed by thousands across the globe for its safety, accessibility, and beauty.
Vaulting routines are a series of gymnastic and dance movements performed by squads (with no more than 3 people on the horse at a time), Pas-de-Deux, (pair), and individuals while on the back of a moving horse, traveling in a circle while attached to a lunge line. Vaulters are judged on their ability to smoothly execute movements, demonstrating harmony with the horse, body control and posture, quality of movement, balance, and flexibility. Vaulters are also evaluated on the technical difficulty and artistic expression associated with freestyle routines to music.
There are three portions of a vaulting routine scored: the lunger, the horse, and the vaulter/s. The vaulter’s performance accounts for 75% while the lunger and horse account for the remaining 25% of the total score.
The horse is judged on rhythm, relaxation, connection, impulsion, straightness, and collection. Having a willing and able horse is equally important to
having a capable lunger, as the lunging counts for 15% of the horse’s score. Responsible for controlling the horse and helping the horse perform correctly, lungers are often experienced riders and vaulters themselves. According to the FEI Vaulting Guidelines of 2026, “lunging should reflect an easy and effortless collaboration and communication between the lunger and the horse.”
Not only is vaulting one of the most unique riding disciplines, but it’s also one of the safest equestrian activities. Learning how to safely mount and dismount is the first thing vaulters learn, often practicing on a mounting barrel before moving to the horse. With safety at the forefront of this discipline, it offers enthusiasts the opportunity to develop coordination, balance, strength, and creativity while working harmoniously with teammates and the horse. This sport remains accessible to all ages, demographic groups, and levels of equestrian sport knowledge, with competition starting at the most introductory level all the way to international 1*, 2*, and 3* levels.
Vaulting continues to showcase the bond and connection between horse and humans, and the 2026 FEI Vaulting World Championships taking place on August 13-16 in Aachen, Germany, will allow spectators to see first-hand the beauty and grace of this sport and discipline.
Competition Information
The competition kicks off with the first group of Compulsory Tests on Thursday, August 13, beginning at 2:30 a.m. ET/6:30 a.m. GMT+2, followed by Technical Tests on Friday, August 14, starting at 2:30 a.m. ET/6:30 a.m. GMT+2, and the first round of Pas de Deux competition beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. GMT+2. Free Tests for the Individual Female, Individual Male, and Squads will take place on Saturday, August 15, at 2:00 a.m. ET/6:00 a.m. GMT+2. Championship competition will conclude on Sunday, August 16, with the Pas de Deux Final at 3:30 a.m. ET/7:30 a.m. GMT+2, followed by the Official Team Competition starting at 6:00 a.m. ET/10:00 p.m. GMT+2.
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