Facility:
- The practice/competition arena should accommodate an 18 meter diameter circle.
- Footing should be soft, but not too deep, non-slip and of springy material.
- A covered arena should have a clear height of at least 5 meters
- If an indoor facility is used for barrel training, protective mats are necessary. The area for the practice barrel should have similar footing as the arena.
Horses:
- Horses and ponies should be at least 5 years of age before being used for training vaulters or for competition and stallions should not be used.
- In a canter competition, a horse or pony may only be used for up to 4 starts in one day, but for a maximum of two teams. Two pairs count as one team, as do four individual vaulters.
- A veterinary check for soundness and general health is recommended at all events.
- The organizer of an event should have the right to demand a negative valid Coggins test from all participating horses.
- Every competition should have a vet and farrier available on call.
Equipment:
All tack should be inspected prior to each vaulting lesson. Damaged tack should be repaired prior to use. The following equipment is recommended for all vaulting programs:
- Vaulting surcingle, torque resistant and preferably reinforced with a steel frame.
- Padding so that the surcingle does not touch the withers of the horse
- Snaffle bridle or cavesson
- Side reins with elastic give
- Vaulting pad to protect the horse's back
Participants:
- The outfit for vaulters should be practical for the sport, allowing ease of movement, but without loose fabric which could become entangled in equipment or another vaulter.
- Vaulters should not wear jewelry or watches while training or competing. Only stud type earrings are permissible. Long hair should be tied back. Fingernails should be kept short.
- Because of the unique nature of vaulting, protective headgear should not be used. Safety studies indicate that the risk of neck injuries caused by the helmet far outweighs the potential for head injuries. Vaulters should wear an approved riding helmet for warm-up or training.
- All vaulting sessions should be under the direction of a coach who is trained in proper, safe vaulting procedures. Equestrian Vaulting Association coaching certification is recommended.
- Spectators should be kept at least 2 meters away from the vaulting circle.
- At least one person with standard first aid training should be present at all training sessions. A first aid attendant is mandatory for all competitions.
- A first aid kit should be on hand at all vaulting sessions, as well as the availability of ice or cold compress materials.
- As there are unique requirements when longeing a horse for vaulting, longers are encouraged to complete the Provincial Longeing Certificate course where available through their Equestrian Vaulting Association
- Competitors who will start on a horse loaned to them for an event, should be given an opportunity to practice on the unfamiliar horse before the competition.
- Degree of difficulty restrictions for freestyle routines are listed in the Vaulting Rules and apply to all vaulters competing at the Division D and C levels. These restrictions exist for the safety of the vaulter.
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