The annual FEI Vaulting seminar was hosted by the BEL NF and a most competent Organising Committee in Ostende last weekend. Almost 50 participants made the trip to the Belgian coast for 3 days of presentations, practical sessions and workshops. Judges and national trainers from a myriad of nations were present including: Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, Sweden, the USA.The first day was dedicated to the scoring of the Horse Score with Stephen Clarke (GBR) Official International Dressage Judge working extensively with the group on recognising and assessing the working canter. Following an overview of the role, responsibilities and remit of the judge, the afternoon was spent in the Arovo Equestrian Centre guiding participants through a well structured and focused practical session centred on observing and scoring horses, both ridden and lunged with vaulters. 
On Saturday Erich Breiter (AUT) Official International Vaulting Judge spoke extensively and in great depth on Biomechanics. Particular emphasis was placed on identifying and monitoring the displacement of the centre of gravity and indeed the many factors to be considered in order to achieve and optimise harmony between vaulter and horse. The morning’s theory was subsequently applied to judging the Degree of Difficulty in the Freestyle class from a series of superbly prepared DVD footage.
Emma Garrod Seely (USA) Chairwoman of the FEI Vaulting Committee presented a first Draft of the new Technical Exercises to come into effect next year: the Stand Split in the Loop (to replace the Needle) and the Wheelbarrow (to replace the Shoulder Stand). The purpose of this presentation was to allow for discussion and commentary from the assembled judges and trainers in order to prepare a further draft to be sent out to all NFs in the coming months. It transpired that some of the description would require further clarification and a modified version integrating the feedback and including sketches would be prepared by the Committee.
Jean Michel Pinel (FRA) gave a brief presentation on the brain’s capacity to observe, and assess criteria within a set timeframe, as is required of Vaulting judges for example. A presentation which certainly provided plenty of food for thought.
Glenn Maes (BEL) spoke about the current status of Vaulting within Belgium and their hopes and aspirations for it’s continued and future development.
Nici Kennedy (IRL) Manager of the FEI Vaulting Department gave a presentation outlining the strategic developments within the department. The FEI Vaulting Department Goals for 2008 may be summarized as follows:

Professionalise the sport
It was explained that to enable the forthcoming medium to long-term strategies being drawn up for the department to enhance and pro-actively present the values unique to Vaulting that standards of excellence would be aimed for in all levels of activity in an effort to bring Vaulting in line with other disciplines and to definitively establish its position as an FEI discipline.

Rules & Guidelines
Future uneccesary rule change would be avoided.
Timeline of 2008 revision of vaulting rules:
NFs’ proposal for modifications                           January-February 08
Vaulting Committee Meeting                                 April 7, Interlacken (SUI)
Draft Sport Rules sent to NFs                              End April
Comments from NFs on drafts                             Mid-June
HQ & TC to discuss comments                             Summer-Fall
Final version of Sport Rules sent to NFs             October
GA: Adoption Sport Rules                                    November
New rules effective                                               January 09 
Education of Officials
A clear differentiation between courses (promotional) and seminars (discussion & workshop forums) was needed and the different course levels were already being revised to achieve this. Each would have its own Curriculum and Syllabus: work already begun.  
Targeted Development
In order for the sport to develop on a global scale, the initial steps to be taken in the new strategy would reflect the current realities on regional and continental levels: the goal being sustainability if projects put in place were to survive.
Following the positive response to the workshops organised at the 2006 February seminar, the participants were asked to collaborate in pre-assigned groups on two topics:
(i)Dress: a draft document combining the texts from both the Rules and the Guidelines was presented to the groups for their analysis. The most consistent feedback resulting from the discussions was clearly that dress should not hinder the judge’s ability to score the performance, that safety of the vaulting unit was paramount and that a clearly defined and appropriate system of deduction for deviation from the allowed was required. 
(ii)Alternate Vaulter: several parties had contacted the Vaulting Department in 2007 expressing concern at the number of very small/young flyers performing with teams and questioning the safety of this. It was felt that the flyer ought to be able to mount and dismount unassisted and the groups were asked to study the possibility of either reducing the team to six vaulters to having all seven team members perform the compulsories (with six performing the Freestyle). 
Both subjects lead to interesting debates. The Committee took account of the presentations made and would now proceed to integrating feedback into the proposals being prepared for NFs.
Sincere thanks and congratulations to the organisers for their attention to detail and for striking the right balance in terms of scheduling which ensured plenty of hard work while allowing for well deserved social evenings which were very much appreciated by all and certainly adding to the positive and friendly atmosphere which prevailedthroughout the weekend.