USEF High Performance Vaulting Clinic. Photo courtesy Tom Hogye.

Saratoga, CA - “Sit on your butt! Move with the horse. Enjoy the movement of his canter. Use your ankles when you mount”. “If you can do that a wee bit more... Lovely.” And so it was with Petr Eim, 2008 Men’s Individual World Champion, from his home in Brno, Czech Republic, and Joanne (Joey) Eccles, from Great Britain, 2010 Champion, World Equestrian Games, as they brought their remarkable talent of the vaulting world and the rich cultural influence of their coaching to one of the most renowned vaulting venues in the United States – Garrod Farms atop Mt. Eden in Saratoga, CA.

It was a chilly 6:45 a.m. on November 12, the first day of this another USEF High Performance Vaulting Clinic designed to prepare our own mix of reining and former World Champions, and Silver- and Gold-level vaulters for the exciting 2012 vaulting season. Not only will there be more than a half dozen competitions in the U.S., but a slew of CVI’s (Championship Vaulting Invitational’s) in Europe, and the 2012 World Championships in Slovakia.

As I’m driving our daughter, Emily Hogye, to this two-day clinic, I’m thinking to myself, “I don’t ever remember vaulting at 7:00 in the morning.” But then, we never had clinics like this with two world champions. Upon arrival, a dedicated number of equestrians crazy about vaulting and excited to be working with both Petr Eim and Joanne Eccles bounded around the arena and their “stations” despite the damp weather. Sunny California will have to wait until the second day

Amidst the workouts both on and off the horse, the camaraderie, enriching friendships and the very best vaulting horses in the U.S., the athletes would also work with Melanie Vizzusi, a veteran of uniform making for vaulting, and Stacey Burnett, who worked with the vaulters on peak performance, mentally and physically at the time of the year the vaulter needs it the most. The groups also embarked on East Meets West Dance studio for dance and yoga.

This was not a clinic for the faint of heart. While Petr Eim and Joanne Eccles are some of the finest vaulters in the world, and some of the most sincere, there was no getting around the requirements for correct vaulting and being “with the horse” or a “wee bit better” when executing the exercises on their mounts. The horses assembled where the most notable of our nations very best; Palatine, 2010 horse of the year and Team USA WEG Gold medal mount, Uffa, and Prince. Leonardo, who carried Megan Benjamin to the 2006 WEG Individual Gold title and 2008 Team USA Bronze medal; Jamie a striking thoroughbred Percheron mix, Giovani, and a few more.

Throughout the two days of training, the 30 vaulters, lungeurs, coaches, and auditors broke up into groups and immediately headed off to their sessions. There was the group meeting to discuss uniforms, sizing, color schemes, fabric, and other aspects of the uniform. When I vaulted we had one uniform and one pair of shoes. Today, the vaulters carefully choose a compulsory uniform, a team uniform, technical and freestyle.

The next group was already warming up their horses and working with Joanne on exercises to improve their compulsories, and ultimately, technical and freestyle exercises. Everyone was impressed with how difficult these otherwise seemingly simple exercises were, and how effective they are at helping them improve. Joey seemed to be enjoying their enthusiasm and the vaulters enjoyed Joey’s British accent and proper use of English.

The next group was busy waking up in the effervescent presence of Petr Eim as he stood guarding the warm coffee pot and two practice barrels. Petr had the groups doing mount exercises to improve their approach to the horse, their grip and position on the horse. The exercises didn’t seem that difficult, but they were, and after an hour of working and a little frustration, the group insisted that Petr show them what he was after. It was clear the group was hoping he would also find the exercises difficult, but Petr took off his jacket, put down his coffee and vaulted straight into a handstand with a near perfect split for his mount and launched himself clear over the other side of the barrel. A good bit of laughter filled with unbelief ensued, and the group proceeded to find a new level of determination to follow through with.

The other group activities involved a lot of dance and choreography work at the East Meets West Dance Studio. Surprisingly, despite a bit of skepticism with yet another dance class, each group returned from this venue with an overwhelming approval and gratitude for this part of the clinic that encompassed some sort of Yoga. This had something to do with the Yoga balls and rolls strategically placed on muscle groups that had the athletes cryin’ mercy, but also enabled them to release toxins, stretch and become more fluid in their remaining activities.

The last group involved coordinating your training and competitions so the athlete will peak at the times when they need to be at their best. This was an area the vaulters seemed to appreciate a lot and expressed that they really hadn’t thought previously about the importance of when to peak or that rest is just as important as training.

Vaulting is a riding sport, make no mistake. While the gymnastics and choreography are spectacular and the vaulters work so hard to make this look easy, it is more than refreshing to see these athletes key on this the most valuable asset within the sport; the horse. Petr recently graduated with is degree in veterinary medicine. And while he is an impressive awe inspiring vaulter, and conveys his talents in a coaching style truly motivating, Petr made it his main objective to ensure that no matter how perfect your vaulting form, it wasn’t going to fly with him if you were interrupting the horses freedom of movement. In only a way a rider in touch with the horse would recognize, Petr (and Joanne) ensured the vaulter became also a better rider, no matter where they were on the horse. The horses responded accordingly and provided the vaulters with consistent carriage or negative feedback. Both Joey and Petr could not emphasize posture enough. Joanne was in full character as she stretched her own posture to and fro from the ground as the vaulters mounted and worked through the exhausting exercises. Even in the most obvious strength and flight moves, it was imperative to move with the horse, and let the horse move the vaulter. I personally loved the animation, heart and soul both Joey and Petr put into their coaching. Their passion for the sport, and for the horse, is richly evident in their coaching styles. If you were a sponge and you could handle the exercises, Joey and Petr would fill you up, wring you out and fill you up all over again. Petr’s rich Czech accent and his English were a blend reminiscent of a classical dressage trainer barking out simple yet effective commands and praises. At many points the work turned into laughter, for a number of reasons. This often reenergized and gave the group their second wind.

In the 29 years I have been visiting Garrod Farms for vaulting competitions and clinics, I don’t remember experiencing the kind of passion and effective training every athlete received in such at this latest USEF High Performance Vaulting Clinic. Toward the end of a beautiful sunny Sunday, Jan and Betsy Garrod came down to the venue one last time to express their thanks to Petr, Joey and everyone who participated. It was a great weekend and will prove a great year ahead.