A FAMILY from Bromyard is helping to promote the latest horsy craze of vaulting which it hopes will take Britain by storm.

This form of "equine gymnastics" is sweeping through the horse world in both Europe and America, but there are still only a handful of vaulting groups in the UK.

Lissa Walker, husband Michael and their daughters Charlotte and Gemma and son James, are all passionate about the sport which is a form of gymnastics on horseback.

They were members of the Arrow Group which won the British Championships two years in a row.

Although vaulting has been popular in Europe and America for more than 50 years, there are only a few groups in the UK, with a total of just 120 members.

British Equestrian Vaulting is the umbrella organisation which is busy publicising the sport in riding establishments up and down the country.

It is also busy training pony club teachers so that they can pass on the technique to members.

The horse used for vaulting is controlled by a lunger and moves in a 12 to 14-metre circle. Most exercises are performed at canter, although practising difficult manoeuvres and some fun classes are done at walk.

The horse wears a bridle with the lunge line attached to the inside ring bit and a specially designed roller with two large handles either side of the withers to help the rider perform technical exercises.

These can range from sitting backwards at a walk to doing a handstand in canter.

Don't be worried that you may not be flexible enough, as clubs group riders together depending on previous experience and ability.

The roller is used to keep a large back pad in position and the handles enable the vaulters to mount and carry out various exercises on the horse with a great feeling of security.

"With a qualified teacher and a lunger, vaulting helps build up balance and confidence on the horse as well as general athletic ability," said Lissa.

"You don't need to be able ride to vault - you don't even need to own your horse - but vaulting can greatly improve your riding skills."

Lissa's family became involved when her husband's cousin started one of the country's first groups - the Arrow Group - and asked Charlotte and Gemma if they would like to try the sport.

"They were hooked immediately, so our son James was tempted to have a go, even though he was only eight years old at the time," recalls Lissa. "Since we spent our weekends and spare time ferrying the children backwards and forwards to practice sessions and competitions, we thought we would join in too. It took over our lives.

"We have been to Europe vaulting many times and I must say that it has been an invaluable part of our children's education.

"They have learnt so much about discipline, team work, manners and have met all sorts of people.

"They have learned just as much as they did in the classroom - and I'm a teacher!"

The beauty of vaulting is that you don't have to ride.

In fact, being an experienced rider before you begin can sometimes work against you. One of the basic rules of riding is keeping your heels down and toes up. In vaulting it's the other way round.

But being athletic and loving gym does help, although Lissa says it is an ideal way for youngsters to keep physically fit and flexible.

When the first groups popped up in Britain - less than 20 years ago - they borrowed suitable horses. But as the vaulters got better and started competing in major European events, new horses were brought in.

These had very special attributes such as being good at dressage and having easy paces.

"Thoroughbreds aren't the ideal breed because they are more sensitive," said Lissa.

"You need a sensible horse which likes children. Ideally they need to be above 15 hands high with strong legs."

Vaulting is an all year round sport. An indoor or outdoor arena is used for working on the horse depending on the weather, alongside a barrel or practice horse. In very bad weather, a lot of work can be done on the barrel and in the gym.

Barrel competitions are held in winter when working with the horses might be curtailed by the weather.

The vaulter has to run with the horse at his side when he is on a lunge. It's easy in canter because you can run up in step with the horse, which makes it easier for you to vault on to his back.

That's why there's a roller handle and a stirrup for support. Then you do your gym exercises.

In competition there are certain compulsory ones such as the basic seat, the flare, scissors and mill, which is a "round the world" exercise.

"Of course, you frequently miss the horse but vaulters are taught to fall properly which is a huge advantage in any sport," said Lissa.

"They don't wear hard hats and wear ballet type shoes so we have to be careful which surfaces we perform on. It gives riders a wonderful seat because some training is done with your eyes shut.

"It is a friendly, happy sport which builds confidence, co-ordination and balance and has many opportunities for travel.

"Vaulters can be involved with the care of the horse, without having the responsibility or expense of owning one."

A monthly subscription is paid to the vaulting club and the cost of tuition and caring for the horse is shared by the group.

To start vaulting you must first find a group - but at the moment there are just a handful in England with more in Scotland. That's why the Walker family is keen to form more groups so that more vaulters can be taught.

Gemma is now in her 20s and a veterinary student at Liverpool University.

She is doing her best to promote the sport by forming her own group, called the Flexi Flyers.

"Although I have always ridden, you can do it without having even sat on a horse before," Gemma explained. "Vaulting has certainly stood me in good stead because I am both fit and flexible There are only 16 affiliated groups across the country and we need some more."

One of the most popular competition venues for vaulters from across is Europe is Saumer in France which hosts the CVI**. Others include Argentina and Brazil which are run by the Federation Equestre Internationale and teams are represented in the World Equestrian Games.

"Although Great Britain is getting better at vaulting, the Swiss and Germans are the best at the moment," said Lissa.

"Getting money is a nightmare because we lost our Sports Council funding. The Worshipful Company of Saddlers is extremely generous."

For more information, go to www.vaulting.org.uk