Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 25, 1990 TAG: 9005240080
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ROBERTA GREEN SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
In addition to perfecting gymnastic feats on horseback (in vaulting, a rider executes gymnastic maneuvers atop a trotting or cantering horse), the team also gives 4-H demonstrations. Practicing first on stationary barrels, team members work to perfect individual and group exercises.
"Each barrel is made from 1 1/2 55-gallon industrial barrels, with legs that extend up to 4 feet," explained Del Dyer, one of the moving forces behind the team's formation. "Each barrel is padded with foam between the ridges, and there's a large sheet of foam over the whole barrel. Then it is covered with heavy carpet, so there are no sharp edges to hurt learning vaulters."
"Vaulters really stress safety," said David Dyer, a senior at Blacksburg High and a bronze-medal vaulter. "It's the only horse-related activity that doesn't require a helmet."
When asked whether he's nervous when performing the intricate routines on the back of a moving horse, David replied, "Always. But I never let it show. Actually, I'm only nervous until I get on. There's not time to be nervous on the horse. You can't really think of anything except the routine."
David will leave the team next fall when he will attend an aeronautics university in Florida to study to be an airline pilot.
"I seriously doubt that I'll get a chance to vault there. The closest team is three hours away. But I hope to continue when I'm home summers, and I'd like to go to Europe sometime and do it seriously."
When the team competes, it follows guidelines set by the American Vaulting Association, of which it is a member.
"The vaulters have to know six basic maneuvers for the compulsory portion of the competitions, such as the mill and the scissors and reverse scissors," said Del Dyer. "And then in the kur [German for freestyle] portion they can do anything they want as long as they stay on the horse. The vaulters have to hold a position for four strides, and they are awarded points for form and precision."
"Two-thirds of our youngsters had never been astride a horse when they joined the team," said Doris Dyer, who also is a real estate broker.
It all began with David and his interest in vaulting. He began four years ago and soon was doing well locally, regionally and then nationally. His parents wanted to get involved.
Del Dyer said the two older children had been involved in vaulting with 4-H but had given it up and gone off to college while David was still a young child. However, their stories, along with the practice barrel that remained, were enough to pique David's interest.
"With 4-H demonstrations, the youngsters have to simulate whatever their doing. They can't use animals," explained Del Dyer, who also is director of the Center for Volunteer Development at Virginia Tech. "David got pretty good on the barrel, placing seventh in 4-H national that first year. It was time to get some kids together and get them on horses. We thought at the time, `We'll try to help these kids learn something.' "
While the Dyer family has a strong background in horsemanship (they own the Dori-Del Equine Center), they felt this was a completely different kind of undertaking.
"We began to feel that we really ought to do this thing, ought to get involved with vaulting, but we knew virtually nothing about it," said Doris Dyer. "Then I learned that there were three Virginia Tech students who were award-winning vaulters."
Dyer approached the students, and today two of them serve as co-coaches of the Mount Tabor team: James Cooper and Jennifer Williams.
"I'd been vaulting in Northern Virginia when I came to school at Tech," said Williams, a junior majoring in animal science and biology. "I'd heard rumors that there was a vaulting team there, but the activity people said they didn't know anything about it.
"Then the Dyers called me and told me about the team. I said `Great, sure.' At that time I'd been vaulting six years and had spent about half that time teaching, too."
Williams is a gold-medal vaulter.
The popularity of vaulting is growing, although it still is most popular in Europe and on the West Coast of the United States. There has been speculation about it becoming an Olympic sport, a move Williams would be quick to applaud, but she doubts that will happen very soon because of all the planning and provisions needed when competing and traveling with horses.
Vaulting, however, is not a new sport. While its appearance would lead a spectator to believe it is derived from gymnastics, the opposite is true.
"Gymnastics was derived from vaulting," said Williams. "The Romans used vaulting to train their horseback warriors and then brought it inside for gymnastics. You don't need to be a rider; you don't need to be a gymnast.
"Riders often start vaulting to help them with their riding. Once you can ride backward in the saddle over jumps, it's nothing to do it the regular way!"
Williams admits that co-coaching the team is a great deal of work, with practices all day Sunday and five to six hours a week devoted to administrative duties and lesson plans. However, it's worthwhile to her for several reasons.
"It's good practice for me, too, and since I'm competing this summer in East Coast championships and maybe some West Coast ones, it's been important that I stay in practice. But I also like to get involved with kids. This keeps me together with a social group that has the same interests that have been a part of my life for a long while."
Doris Dyer agrees about the benefits.
"The youngsters develop self-esteem and confidence," she said. "There's one cardinal rule in vaulting when there are bases and flyers involved: Never drop a flier. That kind of caring is a real thrill, and that's one of the big reasons I'm involved."
"There's good parent support, too," said Del Dyer. "A parents' committee helps decide what competitions to attend and they help with refreshments and transportation." The club's treasurer also helps keep track of the team's expenses and funds.
"We also hosted a clinic out here that drew 60 kids from four states," he added. "There were two gold-medal vaulters there to work with the kids, which gave the kids a chance to see super vaulters. Also it was great to see these vaulters willing to reach down and help beginners. It was uplifting to see everyone get involved.
"Some people play ball for relaxation; I do this," said Del Dyer. "We're just pleased to be a part of it."
by CNB