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 Safety
United
States Pony Club and Vaulting
The United
States Pony Club (USPC), one of the
leading junior equestrian organizations
in the world,
an international leader in equestrian safety
and a contributor to the development of
the American
Society for Testing Materials (ASTM)
helmet standard, states:
“Safety
is the byword of vaulting. Even though
advanced competitive vaulting is a thrilling
spectator sport, it is much safer than
any other horse sport and safer than gymnastics.
Vaulting has a very much lower incidence
of injury than riding (even “flat
riding”). There are two major reasons:
the vaulter does not control the horse,
so he cannot lose control; development
of safety techniques is an integral part
of every vaulting lesson from the very
beginning.”
--
USPC Vaulting Handbook
 Safety
is the first and most important application
of vaulting. By increasing confidence and balance,
it decreases falls; by teaching proper vault-offs
from every position as well as good landings,
it reduces chances of injury from a fall. Helmets
and boots are not worn for vaulting because
they alter a vaulters balance. (Refer to USPC
Policy 0125A Safety Requirements for Pony Club.
--United
States Pony Club (USPC) Vaulting Handbook
“When mounted (except
when vaulting or engaged in polo)
all Pony Club members must wear properly
fitted and securely fastened equestrian
helmets that comply
with the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) standard.”
--United States Pony Club
(USPC) Rulebook Policy 0125.A (Note that USPC rules specify a polo-specific
helmet for polo.) .
 “Using
vaulting techniques, the time required
in learning to ride safely can be cut
in half. It reduces chances of injury
from a fall. Rider training is enhanced
with the improvement of confidence, suppleness,
balance and rhythm.”
--
USPC Vaulting Handbook
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Vaulting