The FEI World Vaulting Championships are just a month off, to be held at the Brno Fairgrounds in the Czech Republic from July 29 to August 3, in conjunction with the FEI European Junior Championships. There are 400 competitors from 20 countries, with around 200 horses lined up for this important event on the calendar.

The Brno Fairgrounds
The Championship will take place at the Brno Fairgrounds, one of the architectural marvels of Europe. The events of the Championship will happen in several pavilions, pavilion Z, one of the most beautiful buildings in Europe, will be the center of the action. With a huge dome over 90 feet high, the pavilion is a very avant-garde building. Its architects Zdenek Denk, Zdenek Pospisil, Milan Steinhauser, and Ferdinand Lederer, designed the building in the late 1950s, today it’s considered iconic of the times and the country.

Vaulting and Tradition
Vaulting became an FEI discipline in 1986 and a World Championship has been held every two years since then. However, the tradition reaches much farther back. In ancient scriptures, artistic exercises on horses and breathtaking acrobatics were described. These are still performed today for the entertainment of spectators by tribes such as the Russian Cossacks and Mongolian shepherds. Modern vaulting consists of two parts - compulsory set of seven predetermined exercises and a free set. There are competitions for individuals (men and women) and for groups by country (six plus a replacement competitor). Up to three persons can compete together in a group. During the performance, the horse moves in a canter, led by a longeur around a circle of 40 feet in diameter. The horse itself and the regularity of its canter is judged by at least three referees, while the execution of the performance, the difficulty, and choreography are also marked throughout.

Brno—the Heart of Europe
The Czech Republic is best known for Prague, its capital. Brno is located in the heart of Moravia and is the second largest city in the Czech Republic. The city itself is worth a visit for its vast number of beautiful buildings, its traditional Moravian hospitality, excellent wine, and culinary specialties.

An accompanying program for all visitors at the FEI World Vaulting Championships has also been organized including, a 'national evening' during which all groups from different countries will present their country, an opening ceremony titled 'Solo for the Horses', a summer cinema, and attractions for children and holiday festivities. A mascot called Laki has been designated for the event.

For further details on the FEI World Vaulting Championship 2008 to be held in Brno, simply visit www.vaulting2008.com.