Even if many laypeople don't want to believe it, riding is not just a sport for horses, but also for people. This applies to all forms of riding and especially when the riders perform acrobatic exercises on horseback. This is exactly what 17 children and young people aged between six and 17 are training in two vaulting groups at the Rodheim-Bieber Riding and Driving Club.
In simple terms, vaulting is a combination of riding, gymnastics and acrobatics. The athletes perform numerous gymnastic elements that are familiar to television viewers from the floor, parallel bars, high bar or balance beam. But only on a horse that is led in a circle on a lunge line and - depending on the level of training of the athletes - performs all three gaits, i.e. walk, trot and canter. This is exactly what makes it so exciting. Because a technically clean standing balance, for example, is already a challenge on the gymnastics floor or the balance beam. If the standing surface also moves, it becomes really demanding. What's more, vaulting is not just an individual sport. Up to three athletes have space on the back of a horse and use their bodies to create some breathtaking figures.
From light to heavy
However, the animal competition partner is not really suitable for practising all the different tricks. This is because the didactic principle of "from light to heavy" also applies to vaulting. This is precisely why the young vaulters of the Rodheim-Bieber Riding and Driving Club need a vaulting frame. This piece of equipment is similar to the classic leather-covered vaulting frame from the school gym, has the same handles and loops as the harness on the live horse, but in contrast is absolutely stable. "It is much easier for the children and young people to learn the movements and positions, some of which are already quite complex, on the bucking horse - simply because there is no wobbling of the horse's back. This aid also minimises the risk of injury," explains youth manager Sarah Geller.
As the group's coach, she contacted "Spiel' Dein Spiel" via the special website with the request for this important training aid. With this campaign, Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG) supports clubs, institutions and projects that enable children and young people to develop their sporting skills and fulfil their urge to exercise.
The promise that SWG would donate the urgently needed vaulting frame was not long in coming. "It's really amazing what the children, some of whom are still young, can do on horseback," says Stephanie Orlik, who is responsible for sponsorship at SWG. "We are always happy to support such eagerness to train."
The vaulting horse is an important prerequisite for the development of the young athletes. It enables them to keep trying out new things. The equipment thus lays the foundation for the club's sporting success.
By the way: The Rodheim-Bieber Riding and Driving Club is not only involved in vaulting. Dressage, show jumping and western riding are also part of the programme of the club, which has been in existence since 1961.
Further information on "Spiel' Dein Spiel" and applications: www.swg-spieldeinspiel.de
Caption SDS_RuF_Rodheim-Bieber_1.jpg:
From left: Training horse Napoleon, youth supervisor Sarah Geller and Sybille Kramer, 1st chairwoman and managing director of the club, are delighted with the new vaulting buck from Stadtwerke Gießen. Stephanie Orlik, responsible for sponsorship at SWG, handed over the training aid at the beginning of January.
Caption SDS_RuF_Rodheim-Bieber_2.jpg:
A stationary vaulting frame helps to learn the various figures and exercises.