News: Topaz is excited to announce the addition of three new vaulting horses; Jonah, Ben and Arthur!



Welcome to the official home page of Topaz Vaulters; an American Vaulting Association Region IX - recognized vaulting team based in the Northern Virginia area. Topaz was founded more than 25 years ago and is one of the oldest clubs in the region. Comprised of over 30 members and seven horses, the team is also one of the largest in the region. The team competes at nearly every AVA-recognized level and travels to a variety of competitions yearly, ranging from local fests to national championships.



What is equestrian vaulting? To simplify things, equestrian vaulting is usually defined as “gymnastics and dance on horseback,” however the reality is a lot more complex. The sport has roots dating back to the Renaissance and Middle Ages (making it one of the oldest practiced equestrian disciplines) with modern vaulting being developed in post-war Germany with intentions of increasing the overall abilities, balance, and confidence of a rider. In 1983 vaulting as a sport took a great leap forward when it gained recognition as an Fédération équestre internationale (FEI) sport; the first FEI World Vaulting Championships were held in 1986. Vaulting competitions are scored around compulsory exercises and choreographed freestyle exercises done to music. There are six compulsories exercises—the mount, riding seat, flag, mill, scissors, stand, flank and dismount. Each exercise is scored on a scale from 0-10. Horses also receive a score and are judged on the quality of their gait. Freestyle rounds include a variety of moves with both dance and gymnastic origins, including handstands, jumps, down-and-ups, as well as a variety of mounts and dismounts including back flips. In addition to individual competition, vaulters can participate in team, pairs, and pas-de-deux styles of vaulting.