Oak Hills Vaulting started from knowledge. From the moment equestrian vaulting was shared with MaryAnn Ford and Oak Hills Stable, it became ingrained with our way of life. What started with humble beginnings as a tool for training horses, it evolved into a mechanism for showcasing the range of horsemanship tuition available before establishing itself as a fully fledged sport.
Since that time, Oak Hills Vaulting has strived to provide not only a high quality level of equestrian vaulting tuition, but pushed to educate our vaulters with horsemanship and leadership skills for use in their further equestrian endeavors.
As the club has evolved throughout the years, so to has the mission. What started with an explicit goal of getting potential horse riders on a horse safely while holding little experience, has grown into a nationally recognized sport and a place for any level equestrian, from not ever seeing horse before all the way to experienced riders who are looking for a new challenge.
Nowadays, our mission is simple. Our entire staff is here to give all levels of athlete the experience they desire in an environment that is educational, motivational, community driven and overall safe. Our focus is therefore recreational vaulting, a place for all those that wish to get a start in equestrian vaulting or even in equestrian disciplines in general. The options available expand from there to suit all range of talent and experience.
Our story begins back in 1967. A fortunate visit from well-respected dressage trainer Bill Biggs led to him imparting his newly acquired knowledge, something called Equestrian Vaulting, learned in Germany mere weeks before and ready to help prepare riders for the tasks they would face while doing dressage.
Our early days consisted of additional training and warmup regimes for dressage horses, parlayed into demonstrations at fairgrounds and various other competitions. It was many years later before the the club took the step towards competitiveness and registered with the American Vaulting Association. With the knowledge of the governing body and a desire to showcase the skills learned, the club began to take its current form.
From our humble beginnings, Oak Hills Vaulting is now the oldest vaulting club in the state of Utah and one of the longest tenured in the nation. Equestrian vaulting has grown to such a level that Equestrian Vaulting is now recognized as one of the seven core disciplines by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). Our club continues to grow form strength to strength and each year sends more and more vaulters to compete at local, regional, national and even international competitions.
Oak Hills Stable
Nestled at the base of the Wasatch Mountains and home of Oak Hills Vaulting since day one. Oak Hills is a premier Utah Equestrian Facility located in Salem, Utah which houses exceptional training and performance facilities, gives convenient access to 32 acres of on-site trails, as well as access to extensive mountain trails.
They offer a variety of boarding and training options to fit every horse, rider, and budget. There are also many riding lesson options for all ages and skill levels and they welcome a variety of Riding disciplines (Schooling horse use is included in lessons, or private horses can be used).
Learn more about Oak Hills Stables
American Vaulting Association
The American Vaulting Association is the governing body for all clubs in the United States. The AVA provides information and educational vaulting materials, trains vaulting judges, provides procedures and standards for testing vaulters for medals at five different skill levels, establishes and maintains contacts in the international vaulting community, and facilitates AVA member participation in international exchanges and competitions.
As the AVA prepares to celebrate their 50th Anniversary, there are currently more than 141 AVA vaulting clubs and affiliates in states from Hawaii to Massachusetts and Alaska to Florida, with more than 1,200 registered members in the United States and Canada.
Learn more about the American Vaulting Association
Our Team Members
It takes a village to make Oak Hills Vaulting everything that it is and we could not do it without the fantastic group of coaches and lungeurs that we have involved in the club.
With years of experience and skills in both equestrian vaulting and general horsemanship, we use a variety of expertise to create a unique learning environment for each of our classes from beginners to advanced vaulters. All of our staff members are viewable below.
