F.A.M.E. team vaulting at Woodside SpringFest 06

[GoldStarPacesetters]

that dude is so tall and strong

[MarriedToHorses]

there is only one word that can describe that... A M A Z I N G

[luvshorsevaulting]

To everyone who "feels bad" for vaulting horses: Horses used for vaulting have one of the easiest lives there are. Since vaulters (especially at this level) are extremely light on the horse, IT DOES NOT HURT THEM! if vaulting was so harmful to horses, I doubt it would still be around after all this time. Vaulting practices are usually only 2-3 times a week, and vaulters love and pamper their horses :) I appreciate and understand your concern, but believe me, there's no need! :)

[vistoso92]

horse racing causes a horse's heart rate to jump to insanely high levels due to elevated adrenaline in a relatively short period of time. This leads to shortened life span and weakened heart, often incapacitating or killing the horses prematurely. This DRAFT horse is made to carry massive loads, that is what they've been bred to do. This is not cruel, it's talent. Want cruelty? look up the steeple chase.

[TeePhrazePhotography]

Anyone who is condemning this because of the horses "welfare" needs to have their head examined. You have no idea. NONE. These horses are taken better care of than your little city lap dog, guaranteed. Horses are among the most well cared for animals in the world. Do some research before you bash things you know nothing about. Might start with a visit to a working ranch or stable; but then again, you'd have to leave the city.

[laurenatorness]

@soniawashere Actually. No. Horse racing is not better, and many horses get very agitated over it. That is like saying that 100m dashes are more fun then ballet. It is a deffinet opinion.

[XXPONYMADCHLOXX]

Well i do this i started about 3 yrs ago and all my friends go when i show them omg i feel so sorry for the horses!! but at they all get looiked after we volt on a 6 yr old called pookie and he bucks and gets people off all the time just to have fun! Our team is really gd we r doing a comp on our 14 yr old lovely. So people if u think its harsh its honestly not! they get riden like any other pony [y] x

[PapaRoachGirl18]

i would absolutely kill myself if i tried to do this.....i ride all the time but simply sitting on them and standing and flipping on them is something completely diff!! love it!

[windupkitty]

wow. this poor horse had to run in a circle for HOW LONG? so these people could do gymnastics on it? not so very enlightened,if you ask me!

[MsCrazyhorselady]

WOW! I had no Idea this even existed but I love it! Simply Amazing!

[cowgirlsdontcry778]

wow. i wonder how many years they trained to be able to do that.

[TaylorVaultRideSRF]

love the blonde flyer

[10120230404505606707]

You guys are amazing! It would take great talent in orser to do that!

I wish I could do that!!

[Youliveyouride]

Incredible!!!!!

[HabboKid23]

:o jASMIN!

Hi its me from Habbo

,-Mint-,

[boxlikeboxes]

Ha ha brady bunch

[eurovisionfan123]

They´re awesome. Maybe they can do it sometimes slowier, than they would be saver!

I think it can be much better to vaultig with two boys in the group, they´re most of the time better than the girls.

(my english is bad-I know) ;-)

[whisperingaway]

I've always wondered what the horse thinks about it. Not saying it's abusive. I wonder if they get a good laugh out of people doing gymnastics on their backs. Haha.

[mokapie360]

well, i do vaulting and we have a new horse. We are training her to keep her balance with 3 people on her back. So, i think for a team it is hardest for them to keep their balance. Then again, I'm 55 pounds ( 11 years old) sooo, the horse doesn't really notice me. that has it ups and downs, like they'll buck if its a bad day because they think no one is on them, or they will be really nice because no one is one them........

[SCMSL]

Its amazing how they manage to maintain balance on top of the horse and still do all that stuff...

[rustyhorse545]

i said im not trying to sound sexest,it's not GAY but just looks a little....odd

[SilveryMagic]

It looks really hard, i'm gonna be starting vaulting soon. haha wow this'll end up badly lol

[MelonHeadedFreak]

Woww that was amazing

I was at a vaulting show last week

It makes you really nervous, it always looks like theyre gonna fall off

I could never do it.

[TiarraNicole93]

omg this looks funn!!

but i wouldnt give up chasing cans for this.....does anybody know the name of this song?....is it satisfaction?

[rustyhorse545]

well mt sister does vaulting:)and i do barrel racing,sooo...i do have horses,but the way this guy looks with all these girls...hilarious,especially when he's runningnext to it in the beggining

[capallcrionna]

i wanna see you do it

[rustyhorse545]

now....im no sexist but that guy doing vaulting made me LAUGH

[capallcrionna]

you wanna do it?

[Horuko666]

I can't even the imagine the trust you have to have in your buddies to do that... What a talent.

[capallcrionna]

id kill myself doing that, lol, i do vault but im not that good. its hard because u cant say anything to your partners

[joslyngrover]

so much skill.....

[stormy4196]

i love vaulting!my team totally idolizes this team! Were starting off, and are doing pretty well!

[YMitsjulia]

the "prancing"

is called run-in you have to run in and bow to the judge(s) in height order. Its just soemthing you do,

ive been doing it since i was two.

[barrelsaremylife]

if you like vaulting and trick riding, but without the classical music and costumes and running, you should look up the cowgirl chicks.i like the video.

[3DayCharm]

Well done. Takes a lot of balance and a REALLY good horse! I did vaulting only briefly while I lived in Germany (it was my weird transition step when I changed focus from standard Gymnastics, to what I do now: 3-Day Eventing), but I enjoyed it!

[shilohwalking]

Two things, what's up with the silly prancing (by the people) and on the initial approach, are they trying to reflect the gait of the horse? Amazing performance.

[3DayCharm]

Good question (about the "prancing people")! What's going on there?

[increxotty]

i called run-in

and you have to do it, then bow to the judge.

It just what you do

[rumplejerrie]

I love vaulting my cousin does it they r brilliant horses

I do show jumping and x-country!!!

[BlissfulWantings]

My barn just got a new horse to replace our beloved vaulter. We're about to start training her, but man I don't think any of us could do this!!!

We're more the... basic vaulters. You know, at a standstill. :) vv'

[WinnieBear93]

don't worry the most i do is at the walk and im working on doing the seat at the trot and canter it's fun though im trying to upload a video of my team doing a demo on 12-2-07

[HunterJumperChick]

wow stunning routine!

[luvbug449]

i wouldnt last one minute as a vaulter i cant even stand on my own horse lol well considering she isnt completely trained and i dont have enough guts to do it lol!

[wereallcrazynow]

i wouldnt mind giving vaulting a try, however the costumes and the running is a bit poofi but i think i can deal with it if i get 2 b lifted and held and what not by strong atractive guys on horse back. haha. my dream senario.

[Filly48462]

lol..so amusing when the ignorant people post comments....haha!! always brings about a roll of the eyes and a good giggle!

this is amazing. i soo wish i had the opportunity to learn vaulting. i love how gracefull and light they look. too bad i live out in the middle of nowhere, with no opportunities to learn. :(

[fadeawayforever]

Ah, this was brilliant. I own a vaulting horse... and he is never happier (apart from when he's jumping) to be doing this.. And he's a strong horse, not a cob, but not a thorough-bred either..

Horses are incredibly strong and can easily take this weight, especially with the pads and protective foams others have mentioned..

People make comments when they nothing about the sport or the horses.. gah.

[befona]

F.A.M.E. represented the USA in the World Equestrian Games in Aaken, Germany last August. The kür you see here was performed to first place in both rounds and the team received a Silver Medal overall in the extremely close competition.

[befona]

This was after winning a Gold Medal just three weeks prior at the USA AVA Champ in CA. The USA should be proud of this team and all they've accomplished! Congratulations, F.A.M.E.!

[befona]

Also Megan was the first US women contestant that won reserve champion at WEG. And Elizibeth was the youngest competetitor at WEG being just 11 years old. And Devon always wins.

[befona]

Also - for those of you that think that the horses are being abused, I assure you that the vaulting community is very strict on this. No cruelty will be tolerated EVER! The horses are incredibly strong and can easily hold 3 people. They have pads and foam protecting their backs abd the reins can't be held tight. There is also a alowed amount of time as to not tire the horse. Vaulters are taught to be light on the horses and to care for them well.

[wvarab]

Now is the time for all of us horse lovers to step up! Thousands of horses are being slaughtered right now in the US for human consumption.Even Racehorses and pregnant mares are killed. USDA studies show over 92% of horses slaughtered are healthy and 3 out of 10 contain unhealthy chemicals.

mercuryepiphany"DOT"com/horses­/when_is_a_problem_not_a_probl­e.html

equineadvocates"DOT"com/hs/ins­ide2.html

hsus"DOT"org/horses_equines/

timwoolleyracing"DOT"com/

[daddieslilprincess13]

who ever made the dumb statement about it hurting the horse. if the horse was in pain it woodnt be tolerating this. it wood be pig rooting and pullin. there a bigger bread of horse used to prevent the pain. the horse is traind specifically for this sport and to handle it

[Lonerider07]

thanks for another comment where someone actually knows the facts! like i said before i love horses to bits and would be totally against anythin that hurt or harm them in any way....but you really need to learn the facts before making a 'green-peace' comment

[Maxxsgirl]

They'll run each other around, kick out, rear up at one another. All of that = wear and tear on a horses body. These horses canter around in a circle as people perform gentle, precise movements atop them. It's not like they're stepdancing up there. And (DUH) riding a horse at all is "unnatural".

[Maxxsgirl]

Vaulting is impossible to do on a horse that isn't content. Look at those floppy ears! Cutting, jumping, endurance; nearly every other horse sport is FAR more trying on a horse than this. And look at the horses that are used; heavier types with wide backs and lots of bone. Turning horses out together is harder on their bodies than this.

[Lonerider07]

Fine. i know, i take equine science thanks for pointing that out, not like i didnt know but hey lol! even half a stallion ways more than them kids! you just dont see the point do you??? 80% of a horses weight is on his front legs, and if you've notices, that 80% of weight is off the ground on the mares back! so it wouldnt matter if the stallion was doin a flippin handstand!!!!!

[fabianusi]

dam thats cool =)

I love this sport :)

[RockOnKidx]

ummm when horses 'make babies' the stallion doesnt stand fully on the horses back (DUH) also reproduction is natural that isnt natural.

[Menthaloh]

waooooow, j'suis bluffée, j'en reviens pas comment y sont doué bordel!!!!!

p.s j'peux v'nir avc vous??? =P

[Lonerider07]

i love horses to bits and am totally against anything that would hurt them or put them in danger but learn the facts before judging and making silly little comment like that please

[Lonerider07]

how do you think horses manage to get pregnant??? im sure if they can handle something their own weight on there back (900kg) im sure they can manage a few kids dont you? (i.e 200kg at most!)

[allegra2023]

how old is the little one???

[vaultingdiva]

In this vid? She was about nine. Now I think shes 12. I am SOOO jelous of her! She got to travel around the world to compete, and with Blake no less!!

[lovehorses876]

no not poor horse my cousin was 2nd in the world for vaulting the horses dont get abused so you need to be quiet

[horsegabn]

fall off? i'd like to you ella9214 try to vault like they are and then tell me how funny it'll be if one fell off.

[RockOnKidx]

i think the point was she doesnt want to! DUH

Thats horrible and yes poor horse

[KikingFriesians]

wtf??? o_0 the horse isnt in any kind of pain, if the horse were being abused in any way you would be able to tell right away, this are profesional vaulters theres no posible way they could hurt the horses back and theyre as light as a feather, so why the hell do you ppl keepon saying poor horse, or comments like "i feel sorry for the horse"

[RockOnKidx]

would you like all them people on your back?

and i think a feather is lighter!

[KikingFriesians]

*rolls eyes* the point is that he isnt in any kind of pain. not even carriying that much ppl on his back hurts him, if it did he would be bucking and rearing, when an animal doesnt want to do soemthing he'll let ppl know . ^^:)

[RockOnKidx]

actually thats not always true, you'd be suprised at what horses tolerate.

You will not change my mind, i do not agree with it and i think its horrible to look at, to be honest.

[basiliskandgryphon]

wait wait wait, you think it's horrible to look at so you take the time to come here and read the comments and diss people? Nice...

[SASdaquiri]

exactly, thanks for not making some stupid "save the whales" type comment!

[SASdaquiri]

yeah, but if you do the math, he is carrying the equivalent of us carrying 30 pounds, and that's with 3 ppl on him, that's like a heavy backpack, I calculated it, that's not that much, if he didn't like it, he'd be swishing his tail, horses are very strong animals

[wolfspirit41399]

If the horse did not LOVE what he is doing, he would NOT put up with it!!!

[ella9214]

It would be funny if they fell off lol

[vaultingdiva]

Um no sorry. It does happen and its not cool. To a vaulter its like saying, "Oh, it would be cool if I snaped your neck right now" Unless you do it, keep comments like that to yourself, to be nice I'll say please.

[WinnieBear93]

omg yea that is not funny cause i vault and the smallest girl at about 4 minutes who is getting tossed around if i were that good right now that would be me on my team because im small and light so yea you are basically 15 ft in the air [ok thats a guess] but it's still high and 1 wrong movement and you are history so yea it would not be funny if someone fell plus they are professionals

[boobearzoo]

WOW that was so cool!!!!!! And NOT poor horse....he is fat happy and obviously is nto abused!

[Ishtiama]

Poor horse.. T_T;;

[DareTheWind]

Major kudos to anyone with enough you know whats to do something that cool! To the horse too! You guys were all amazing!

[susiejay]

vault horses amaze me

[cruelmercy]

haha, i love this kur. it's like a soap opera, only way more exciting. :D @balee93: yeah, the run-in can be almost as hard as the routine when you're the flyer. I remember being in tears the first time my team practiced it...XD

[vaultingdiva]

Aww! I know, my team only does lame boring ones, I keep trying to get us to do some cool stuff, but no luck yet. FAME ROCKS!

[tpa92190]

incredible

[ridingchick]

that was really cool, but the guys looked like they were gay :S

[sheribenjamin]

Nope. Both are straight. One just got engaged!

[ridingchick]

aww...cute! how do ya know?

[sheribenjamin]

The two guys are Blake Dahlgren (tall one--just engaged) a former men's national champion, and Devon Maitozo, a former world men's individual vaulting champion. Both are in long-term relationships, and one is engaged. Vaulting is a great way to meet girls! Look at the ratio! Both these guys are in relationships with former (female!) vaulters. My daughter was on this silver medaling US team (the one in the video) and we know the guys quite well.

[sumbodyluvsu]

that was awesome! i used to do vaulting, but now i do the hunters, i miss it though. i still do it sometimes, but when i do they always make me the flyer because im so little, lol

[showjumperkaylee]

that was amazing!!

[saanaaa]

wau

[baylee93]

The little girl's so cute! Funky run at the entrance and exit.

[yeahbyme]

Mozart was the best..never missed a beat !

[DreamBeaver]

I used to be a Timberline Vaulter, I miss this sport! Great video!

[otherwheregirl]

Awww. I miss vaulting. This was awesome =D

[mike1033]

Niice! Who are the two guys in the team? did they do individuals at Aachen? how'd they do?

[csmarkham]

I should say that the F.A.M.E. team represented the USA in the World Equestrian Games in Aaken, Germany this past August. The kür you see here was performed to first place in both rounds and the team received a Silver Medal overall in the extremely close competition. This was after winning a Gold Medal just three weeks prior at the USA AVA Championships in California. The USA should be proud of this team and all they've accomplished! Congratulations, F.A.M.E.!

[vaultingdiva]

Agreed! they really put on a great show at Natinals too! they recived a standing ovation!

[NJKane]

Beautiful smooth routine! Good Luck in competitions!

[EquineRider4Life]

super cool! i always love watching vaulting.

[vaultingdiva]

I think I'm in love with blake dalgren...jk or Eric Martonovitch to....whats awsome is at the Comp. they all have their shirts off..tehe

[punkchick02]

Holy shit i think its absoluty is amazing how they have the upper and lower strengh to balance and do tricks on these massive,powerful horses

[vaultingdiva]

OMG!! I love this ream, Devon Matizo ROCKS!