This overview from the Rules Committee of VaultCanada addresses the most common questions regarding membership and sport licenses for vaulters competing in 2010.

As a new competitive season approaches there seems to be much confusion over the requirements for the sports licenses and memberships that would allow Canadian vaulters to compete this season.  Canadian vaulting is now at a milestone in its history. We are a full partner within Equine Canada. This gives us access to Equine Canada national services that we have never benefitted from before on this scale … our new national rules were formatted and translated at no cost to our community; certification programs for our future coaches, judges and stewards will all be possible because of our relationship with EC.  There are also a host of new EC programs that will be aimed at the recreational level rider and vaulter. And it is good to stand side by side with other disciplines and the thousands upon thousands of other horse enthusiasts who share our interests across the country.

There is however some confusion in the Canadian equestrian community and vaulting is not immune to this. The confusion comes because of differences of opinion between Equine Canada and some of the Canadian provinces. This has led some provinces, such as BC, to remain associated with Equine Canada, while others, such as Alberta, have distanced themselves from the National Sports Organization. This has caused some problems for athletes especially in the FEI recognized disciplines such as vaulting.

Without getting in the middle of this lengthy and difficult discussion I want to clarify what this all means to vaulters in BC and Alberta where most of our competitions are held.

All Canadian vaulters who wish to enter a recognized competition (especially our provincial and national championships, or AVA recognized competitions in the US) require a National Sports License. For vaulters at Division B canter and below this is a Bronze Sports License and it can only be purchased from Equine Canada. This is where the confusion starts.  Let me begin with an illustration that might help. 

Let’s assume these two vaulters are 14 years old, compete in Division C canter and want to enter recognized competitions:

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Vaulter 1 lives in British Columbia. In addition to membership in the Equestrian Vaulting Association of BC, she or he requires the following:

A Horse Council BC Junior Membership of $40.00 This includes membership in Equine Canada.
An Equine Canada Bronze Sports License of $20.00
For a total of $60.00

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Vaulter 2 lives in Alberta. In addition to membership in the Alberta Equestrian Vaulting Association, she or he requires one of the following packages:

An Alberta Equestrian Federation Junior Membership of $35 This does not include membership in Equine Canada
An Equine Canada Bronze Sports License of $45.00
For a total of $80.00

OR

An Equine Canada Service Pack which includes liability insurance for $25.00
An Equine Canada Bronze Sports License of $45.00
For a total of $70.00

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Vaulters in provinces that are not affiliated with Equine Canada do not need to join their provincial equestrian organization. This is a personal and individual decision and we do not want to discourage any vaulting family from benefitting from the programs and services that their provincial sports organization provides. We support our provincial associations for the same reason we support our national association. However, the fact remains that while there are many other good reasons to join the Alberta Equestrian Federation, this membership is not required for participating in recognized vaulting competitions. Your Equine Canada service pack provides the same liability insurance coverage.

Vaulters who do not want to compete in recognized competitions do not need an EC sports license. They will however then be limited to participating in schooling shows, also known as Discovery Shows. It would be great to see more clubs offering these events throughout the country. Discovery Shows can only be one day long and cannot offer classes above Division C canter. They cannot be held in conjunction with any other level of show, including regional, provincial and/or national championships. Vaulters also do not need a sport license to enter the “demonstration class” or barrel classes.

If you have questions I will do my best to answer or find someone who can. This year will be a bit of a learning curve for us and it has been made more difficult by the differences in the relationship with Equine Canada. I truly hope it will become easier as time goes by.

Barb Schmidt, Chair
Rules Committee
VaultCanada