www.AboveAndBeyondVaulters.org

FUNDAY SUNDAY FUNDRAISER:  JULY 10

Proceeds to benefit Above and Beyond Vaulters, a non profit organization.

Download Funday Sunday Flyer

 Presented by, Equine Life Solutions, Inc. 

Location: Holly Farm in Bothell Washington

Featuring Performances by Above and Beyond Vaulters from Snohomish, Washington.

Equine Education ~ Food ~ Pony Rides (kids 5 and up)

From Fiber to Fashion Show and Products by Fibers of the World

Fibers of the World (located at Longneckers Alpaca Ranch & Fine Fiber- Lake Stevens, WA) offers products that are natural, eco-friendly, sustainably grown, custom designed and hand-crafted from Alpaca fleece and natural fibers.  We host field trips, farm tours, fiber events, fiber fashion shows and farm to table dinners managed by our event team at “On the Edge of Urban”.

What is Equestrian Vaulting?

Equestrian vaulting is most often described as gymnastics and dance on horseback, which can be practiced both competitively or non-competitively. Vaulting has a history as an equestrian act at circuses, but its origins stretch back at least two-thousand years. It is open to both men and women, and is one of ten equestrian disciplines recognized by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (Fédération Équestre Internationale or FEI).

History of Vaulting

Source: British Equestrian Vaulting

The earliest root of vaulting date back until the Pre-Romanic Ice Period in South Scandinavia in 1500 BC . Stone paintings give an impression what these people thought of “Artistic Riding”. These pictures depict horses with persons standing on them.

Others see roots in the bull dancers of ancient Crete. Even in the Classical Olympics in Greece “Artistic Riding” was part of the competitions.

Also there was vaulting at Roman games, people where performing acrobatic and dance-like movements on the backs of cantering horses about 2000 years ago. Julius Cäsar mentioned the excellent riding skills of the Germans in his famos “De Bello Gallico”.

During the Middle Ages vaulting was part of the education of knights and noblemen. In Baroque Times this kind of sport was more regarded as a means of expressing personal wealth and good taste. The present name of the sport comes from the French “La Voltige” during this period.

Every graduate from a higher military education in cavalry troops regarded vaulting as a prephase for an advanced equestrian education. They were already familiar to the so called “wooden horse” for training purposes. In our days vaulters use a “vaulting barrel” to practise the movements they will perform on the horse.

Vaulting was included as “Artistic Riding” by cavalry officers in the Olympic Games 1920 in Antwerpen. The team gold medalist was Belgium followed by France and Sweden.

Modern vaulting, much as is practiced today, was developed in postwar Germany as a means of introducing children to equestrian sports. In the sixties vaulting moved to the neighboring countries and to the United States.

In 1983, vaulting became one of the equestrian disciplines recognised by the FEI. The first European Championships took place 1984 in Ebreichsdorf, Austria and the first World Championships 1986 in Bulle, Switzerland.

Above and Beyond Vaulting

The award winning Above and Beyond Vaulting team, lead by Coach Saacha DeAmborossio is based in Snohomish, WA and draws vaulters from many areas in Puget Sound. This team is one big family who loves and cares for one and other and their horses. There is a loving atmosphere in the vaulting community not only within in each team but in all of the U.S. Before each competition we find ourselves heading to the nearest Costco to pick up the healthiest fruits and snacks to keep our vaulters going throughout the day. Many of our girls have dietary restrictions such as a gluten and dairy allergies but shopping at Costco proves to be be the best resource. We can always find tasty snacks, organic fruit and meals no matter where we are (Loveland, Colorado; Woodinville, WA; Lynden, WA; Eugene. Oregon and more). Not to mention lots of carrots for the horses!

Because vaulters compete in individual and team events, there is trust and understanding amongst the athletes, always making practice and competitions fun and exciting. The vaulters practice 3-4 times a week year round building relationships with each other and the horses. Each vaulter is responsible for tacking, cooling down, and making sure their horse has everything and anything he may need. Our vaulters are always there for each other whether it be on the back of a horse or in day to day life.

This year the above and beyond vaulters have taken home multiple nationals titles, preliminary two phase and the individual bronze overall. The Osierlea is awarded to the lunger and horse that is best turned out during vet check. We are proud that our Coach Saacha DeAmborossio and cantor horse Charles have won won this prestigious National award two years in a row. Aside from this, many of our vaulters have placed well at regional, national, and international competitions, often placing in the top five.