Vaulters perform gymnastics and dance on the back of a trained horse moving in a circle which is safely under control in the center by a line to a qualified coach/lunger. As a national and international sport vaulters may be in a competitive or recreational program. The American Vaulting Association is the national governing body and maintains programs for all types of vaulters, from recreational and pony club to therapeutic vaulters, and from beginner to world championship levels. Vaulting is 2000 years old and traces it origins to acrobats vaulting over bulls in Crete, and to the Roman games. Vaulting came to NM with coach Merry Cole in 1982 member AVA board since 1979, and in 2000 was named mentor of the year by the AVA. Vaulting will be part of the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky- first time the games have been held in America. The ABQ. Vaulters have qualified a horse for the competition to be used by a team from South Africa. As part of the fun program, vaulters regularly give clinics to camps and to refugee groups, as well as perform demos, and participate in parades. Fundraising efforts are: beginner 6 week courses, selling beautiful vaulting shirts designed by Dyanne Strongbow, raffles, and 30 minute costumed productions performed in Renaissance Fairs using the vaulting horses. Scholarships are available - stable work for lessons. The team maintains 5 vaulting horses of different sizes and abilities and trains at the Cole Mine Farm in Corrales.