Benefits of vaulting:
• Builds concentration, confidence, balance, and coordination
• Improves strength, flexibility, and body awareness
• Fosters teamwork and harmony with the horse
Who can join?
Children and adults—with or without prior horse experience.
Class flow:
Warm-up, stretching, gymnastics-based prep, barrel training, and exercises on horseback.
About the Instructor
Paula Salles Ferreira
Paula Salles Ferreira is a highly experienced vaulting coach and former international competitor. She represented Brazil as part of the national team at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, and trained with several world-class vaulters throughout her athletic career.
In 2018, Paula founded a vaulting school in Rio de Janeiro, where she coached children and adults from beginner through advanced levels. Under her guidance, three of her students were selected for the Brazilian National Team, competing at the Vaulting World Championships in Denmark (2022) and Sweden (2023). She has also played a key role in promoting vaulting across Brazil, organizing competitions and training courses for new coaches.
Beyond vaulting, Paula is also an accomplished show jumping athlete, having competed nationally and internationally up to the 1.30m level, training under Brazilian Olympic rider Vinicius Gonçalves da Motta
What to Expect Each Lesson
Our vaulting lessons are designed to be safe, engaging, and educational for athletes of all ages. Each session is carefully structured to balance physical preparation, horse care, and vaulting practice.
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1. Athlete Warm-Up
We start every class with stretching and physical warm-ups. This helps prevent injuries, boosts flexibility, and prepares muscles and joints for the physical effort required in vaulting.
2. Barrel Exercises
Before practicing on a horse, vaulters learn and train movements on a vaulting barrel. This builds confidence, technique, and muscle memory in a safe environment.
3. Horse Preparation and Warm-up
Students actively take part in grooming, brushing, and saddling the horse with vaulting equipment. This hands-on activity teaches responsibility and helps them bond with the horse. The horse is gently warmed up with transitions, gait changes, and circle work. Students may interact with the horse at the walk, trot, and canter. Short mounted exercises help both horse and athlete prepare for the main lesson.
4. Main Vaulting Lesson
Following the plan from barrel practice, students take turns performing exercises on the moving horse. Each vaulter typically mounts two to three times. The rotation is structured so the horse is never overworked, and class time is used effectively.
5. Cool Down & Closing
At the end of the lesson, students walk the horse to cool down, give thanks, and finish with positive interaction. This reinforces respect for the horse and ensures proper care after activity.