Vaulting to New Heights

he big gray canters easily in a circle, the cadence of his movement and rhythm of his breath functioning like a metronome for the riders performing elaborate gymnastic maneuvers on his back. Held aloft between two seated riders, a young girl does aerial splits before rolling onto her shoulders, executing a headstand over the horse’s withers. She maintains the position, her body fluidly rocking with the horse’s gait. Her poise and athleticism are captivating. It’s only after she summersaults off the horse’s back that the casual observer