42 SIDELINES JULY 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
By Bree Krebel
W
hen I joined the American Vaulting Association in
2009, I wanted to set an example by going back
to
vaulting
myself. The challenges for
a 30-something vaulter are
not insignificant, but part
of my goal as a trainer was
to develop a program that
would enable any level
of rider to use vaulting
exercises to hone their
balance, comfort with the
horse and overall riding
skills.
For anyone not familiar
with vaulting, it’s a sport
populated by extremely
flexible teen and pre-teen
gymnasts who can flip
and twirl on the back of a
moving horse. I grew up
Flying High
and Teaching
by Example
e
My Story
Continued on page 44
Bree shows off her vaulting
skills during the USEF/AVA
National Championships in
Denver, Colorado.
in a family of generations of equestrians and began vaulting
at age 6. Because of my tiny physique, I became the team
flyer. A flyer is the smallest member of the team of six vaulters.
Flying high through the air as the horse moved below me at
a canter, I relied on timing
and reflexes to keep my
bearings. It was thrilling!
I loved the teamwork and
feeling the rhythm of the
horse. I was crazy about
the vaulting shoes, which
look like ballet slippers.
I loved them so much I
often wore them to bed
and slept in them!
At about age 14, my
familymoved to a new town
where I began competing
in dressage and show
jumping. Even in those
disciplines, I benefited
greatly from all the years
of vaulting because my
muscles were trained
to maintain balance no
matter what the horse
was doing beneath me. I
Bree Krebel and Trinity Blues
Photos courtesy of Bree Krebel, unless
noted otherwise
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