vaulting = dance + gymnastics on horseback – an amazing equation!

After meeting Rick and Virginia Hatwhorne from  Valley View Vaulters in California, the largest vaulting club in America with an integrated team of handicapped /  non-handicapped vaulters, Root Farm began to incorporate vaulting movements into its therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, and new adaptive vaulting programs.
For the sixth year in a row, the Hawthornes are coming out from the West Coast to share their expertise with our Central New York community and beyond. Over the last four years, the Farm  has brought in outside speakers to enhance the impact of the Hawthorne’s adaptive vaulting message; 2010 will present JD Winslow, a talented equestrian entertainer whose unique approach to the human-equine bond will illustrate and underscore the Hawthornes' message.  Anne Phinney author of "Facing Fears... Through Vaulting" featured in the February 2010 issue of Practical Horseman, will speak on the advantages of vaulting for the experienced rider.
The conference  offers something of importance to all of its attendees, whether vaulting enthusiasts, kids or parents of kids with special needs, riders wishing for an improved seat, therapists looking for a new aproach, and folks just looking for inspiration. The speakers and hands on demonstration of Rick Hawthorne's techniques on Friday will be most appreciated by therapists and members of the medical community wishing to expand their knowledge and for parents, care takers, and case workers of individuals with disabilities. Saturday is geared more toward vaulters (competitive and recreational), who wish to benefit from Rick's coaching skills as well as observers wishing to start their own vaulting programs and understand the sport from a recreational / therapeutic* standpoint. Saturday night with Equine Entertainment, Kentucky Derby, Fritz's Polka Band and BBQ has something for everyone!
Come One, Come All!
2010 Schedule Overview:

Friday, April 30th, will be on the unique way that vaulting can affect both able-bodied and handicapped populations of all ages. This year, in addition to the Hawthornes,  JD Winslow, will share his extensive experience in the field of equestrian entertainment, Pete Senn will present the benefits of vaulting for fitness, and Anne Phinney will speak on the advantages of vaulting for the experienced rider. 

Saturday, May 1st, will be a vaulting clinic with Rick Hawthorne. Rick and Virginia are known throughout the country for  their success training vaulters of all skill levels.  Therapists, adaptive vaulters and competive vaulters will all benefit from Rick's incomprable coaching skills. In addition, riders of all disciplines - hunt seat, dressage, saddle seat and western will learn the benefits of vaulting on the lunge for development of a balanced, centered seat.

Saturday evening, Fun at The Farm-Root Farm will present a delightful blend of unique equine performances followed by an outdoor viewing of the Kentucky Derby, Fritz's Polka Band  and the tastes of a homespun barbeque.

Sunday, May 2nd, a barrel competition will be held with divisions for special needs children and adults, special pairs, and all skill levels.  The barrel competition will be judged by AVA Silver Medalist Lindy Deal.

6th Annual Adaptive Vaulting Symposium
A conference to spread the word about a fabulous competitive and recreational sport
2010 Presenters:

Rick and Virginia Hawthorne
Rick and Virginia are nationally renowned therapeutic vaulting experts with over 30 years of expertise.  They founded the Valley View Vaulters in Lake View Terrace, CA, the largest vaulting club in America, in 1980. One third of their vaulters have "special needs," and Rick is the chair of  ACTiV (American Council of Therapeutic and Interactive Vaulting) within the AVA (American Vaulting Association).  Rick and Virginia put on clinics throughout the country, sharing their knowledge of vaulting with all ages and abilities.
Over the years, Valley View Vaulters has received numerous awards for excellence and has been featured on television and in the press.  There have been many articles written about the team in magazines, newspapers and short stories such as "People helping people" in the Chicken Soup Series and chapters in balance and lunging books for riders, such as Lunging for the Perfect Seat.  In 2002, Rick received the AVA's highest honor of the "Mentor of the Year" Award, and he and Virginia received the "Honorary Silver Horseshoe" Award from AHOA for community service and dedication to the sport of vaulting.



Pete Senn has trained with the Hawthornes in California and is the beloved coach of Root Farm's own integrated vaulting team. He and his wife, Kim Senn, supervise individual adaptive vaulting lessons for children with special needs throughout the year. Pete applies his extensive engineering skills not only to his job as farm manager, but to the vital task of building strong, balanced bodies through vaulting.



JD Winslow: 
While always comfortable riding and being around horses, it was not until the age of 18 that JD Winslow was introduced to circus style vaulting and bareback riding. This led to a full time circus career lasting over a decade. Constant touring, town after town, mile after mile takes its toll!
Today JD gives unprecedented displays of his Artistic Riding. Never using any harness or surcingles, he adjusts his riding to accommodate the horses' needs. This can be most difficult, especially at large public events. Unfortunately, the general public does not appreciate the lack of harness, with regards to controlling the horse, and the training that this takes. Giving demonstrations and clinics for various equestrian groups has been very rewarding. It is common practice for JD to remove the bridle and perform freestyle vaulting as the horse trots at liberty, controlled by vocal command alone!

For a full profile on JD, check out his website.


Anne Phinney:
      Anne Phinney is an elementary school teacher at the Town of Webb School in Old Forge, NY.  She and her husband own and operate Moose River Farm, where Anne teaches riding lessons to children and adults of all ages.  Her instruction method places emphasis on the human/horse bond rather than competition.  This holistic approach provides an abundance of substance for Anne's third occupation as a freelance writer.  Her articles have appeared in The Adirondack Weekly, Practical Horseman and Dressage Today.
* Adaptive vaulting becomes hippotherapy only when a licensed physical, occupational, or speech therapist incorporates compulsory vaulting movements into her/his hippotherapy sessions for patients with disabilities.