A form of athletic artistry, Vaulting is a youthful celebration of gymnastics on horseback that demands acrobatic skill and precision, combined with grace and creativity. The result is pure theatre: exciting, entertaining and alive.

2021 FEI Vaulting facts and figures

Top 3 NFs with events in Vaulting

Top 3 NFs with registered athletes in Vaulting

Top 3 NFs with registered horses in Vaulting

FEI Vaulting World Championship for Seniors 2021 – Budapest (HUN)

FEI Vaulting made a successful return to the world stage in 2021, with Lambert Leclezio defending his World title for France, Jasmin Lindner (AUT) reclaiming the female individual gold medal and Germany dominating in the Pas-de-Deux, Squad and Nations Team categories. After its successful debut at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ in 2018, the Nations Team event delivered the first medals of the FEI Vaulting World Championships 2021.

Team Germany was in a league of its own, posting an incredible average after their performance to retain the Nation’s Team World title. The silver medal was awarded to team Austria (8.207), while history was made with the bronze medal going to the team from Denmark whose impressive performances left their mark on the world stage.

In the female category, Jasmin Lindner reclaimed the World title she previously won at the FEI World Championships in Le Mans in 2016. The multi-talented, highly decorated Vaulter added to her already impressive collection of Individual and Pas De Deux World gold medals, after showing her formidable talent and unmatched expression within the sport. Silver individual medallist from the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2018 Janika Derks (GER) once again had to settle for second place, while Lindner’s fellow compatriot and training partner Eva Nagiller took bronze.

In the male category, France’s Lambert Leclezio lit up the arena in Budapest with a performance that pushed the boundaries of the sport, and led him to rise to the top of a highly competitive class and retain his World title from the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2018. Hot on Leclezio’s heels after round one was Jannik Heiland from Germany, who ended up earning silver ahead of Theo Gardies from France in bronze medal position.

In the squad competition Germany, leading through all three rounds. Together with lunger Gesa Buhrig and Claus 51, the team from Fredenbeck upheld Germany’s rich history within the Squad competition to take gold. Representing Austria, URC Wildegg, together with Cornelia Trimmel and Leokado, added to their already impressive tally of World and European medals with a second place finish, while the USA took bronze. This was the first time the USA won a squad medal at Senior World Championships since the FEI World Equestrian Games™ in 2010.   

The Pas-De-Deux class provided edge-of-the-seat action as Vaulting legends Johannes Kay and Janika Derks (GER) converted the silver medal they won at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2018 into gold.. Even though they suffered a fall in the first round, Chiara Congia and Justin Van Gerven (GER) came back from their mistake in spectacular fashion to post the highest second round freestyle score to secure silver. Bronze went to USA’s Daniel Janes and Haley Smith, their first ever FEI medal as a pair.

Female Individual Podium

Male Individual Podium

Pas-de-Deux Podium

Squad Podium

Team Podium

FEI Vaulting World Championship for Juniors 2021 – Le Mans (FRA)

Fifty-six competitors took part in the female category, an unprecedented turnout for the the biennial FEI Vaulting World Championships for Juniors. Coming into the final round it looked to be a two-way tussle between defending champion Mona Pavetic (GER) and Austria’s Anna Weidenauer. Weidenauer, leader after the first round, lost some of her advantage to Pavetic in second round compulsories but was able to hold her nerve to add her name to the history books. Alongside lunger Maria Lehrmann and Chivas 14, Weidenauer took the top spot on the podium, with 2019 champion Mona Pavetic coming a close second, while bronze went to Germany’s Gianna Ronca.

History was made in the individual male category, when 15-year-old Sam Dos Santos who lead throughout all four rounds of the competition, secured the first ever medal for The Netherlands in Vaulting. Together with lunger Rian Pierik and horse Charmeur, Dos Santos’ dynamic, expressive freestyle impressed the judges and the audience. The silver medal went to Germany’s Philip Goroncy, with his fellow compatriot Simon Stolz taking bronze.

In the pas-de-deux category Arne Heers and Lily Warren from Germany were in a league of their own. Together with their horse Capitano 59 and lunger Sven Henze, they delivered impressive scores ahead of their nearest competitors. Partnering with Paul Ruttkovsky, Anna Weidenauer secured her second medal, this time silver, and Sam Dos Santos together with Elise Van De Ven won bronze for The Netherlands.

In the squad competition, Germany fought off tough competition from the field to take top honours with Michelle Arcori on the lunge and horse Elias 75.  The two remaining spots on the podium were decided after a tight battle between the USA and Switzerland, whose teams won silver and bronze respectively.

Female Individual Podium

Male Individual Podium

Pas-de-Deux Podium

Squad Podium