Mount Eden Vaulting Club is one of the oldest, largest and most successful vaulting clubs in the USA! At our club in Saratoga, California, you can experience hands-on training with top coaches, gentle horses and state of the art facilities. We offer recreational classes for all ages, and our competitive teams compete at all levels across the United States and at international events.
What is "Vaulting?"
Equestrian Vaulting (Noun. Vault-ing): The art, and sport, of gymnastics and dance moves on the back of, and in concert with, a walking, trotting, or cantering horse. (Synonyms: Happiness. Teamwork. Strength. Fun.)
Vaulting is the safest of the equestrian sports, documented safer than riding bicycles, playing on playground equipment, and even playing soccer, according to the American Vaulting Association (AVA).
Vaulting was brought to the United States from Germany in the 1960s, where it had long been, and still is, considered a prerequisite for riding in that country. That's right-- in Germany children and adults alike learn to vault as their first horse experience! (Today Germany has more than 100,000 vaulters, and over half the German riders holding competitive licenses today were vaulters in their early years.)
Beginning vaulters first learn general and horse safety, and quickly progress to practicing their moves on a vaulting barrel, a stationary padded, metal drum, attached to legs, with a vaulting surcingle (handles) attached. Once vaulters are comfortable with their moves on a barrel, they progress to a horse moving at a walk, oftentimes with a spotter right beside them. As vaulters progress up the ranks, the vaulting gaits change from a walk to a trot, and at the highest level vaulters perform on, and in concert with, a cantering horse.
The "Three Points of Vaulting Safety" is the basis for the sport's superb safety record, and is what differentiates it from other equestrian sports. It directly addresses what research cites as the major factors contributing to equestrian rider injury: 1) rider loss of control 2) riding environment/suitability of the horse 3) rider knowledge about safety.
Today, the program, and our 501(c)(3) non-profit Mt. Eden Vaulting Club, continues to be generously sponsored by and housed at the 120-acre picturesque Garrod Farms, a family-owned ranch (founded in 1893) with deep roots in pre-Silicon Valley agriculture. As such, we rely on contributions from the community in order to provide the highest quality programs for our vaulters and maintain the highest standards of care for our horses. 100% of all donations go directly to the club!
We Are a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit
Your donation may be tax deductible! EIN#77-0045295