Vaulting is a new competition to the Maritimes and is relatively new in Canada.
Sadie Hudson is a vaulter and says it pairs two of her favorite pastimes.
“It's basically just doing gymnastics and doing it on a horseback,” says Hudson.
In the sport, athletes perform tricks for a judge and compete against other teams.
Right now the group is the regions only vaulting team.
“Vaulting is actually very old,” Says vaulting coach, Wendy Hudson. “In Europe they've been doing vaulting for years.”
Canada only has a handful of coaches who are well-versed in the sport.
Hudson is the only one in the Maritimes.
To help spread the word about the sport, the group will show off their skills Friday, August 1st at the Westmoreland County Agricultural Fair in Petitcodiac, N.B.
“It's going to be a show,” adds Hudson. “It won't be a long show, because we only have the one horse right now.”
Shawn Allen says good vaulters make it look easy, but it's more difficult than any type of riding he's done before.
It simultaneously demands balance, flexibility, and strength.
“It's an adrenaline aspect of it,” says Allen. “It really pumps you up and you just want more.”
Vaulter Breanna Depres dreams of competing someday.
“Be able to participate with other groups and other teams,” says Despres. “We could learn from each other. Kind of have some clinics would be nice.”
Hudson's hope is that vaulting will become more popular in the Maritimes in the near future.
With files from CTV’s Sarah Plowman
