Pommel Horse vs. Vault Horse: Key Differences Explained

The pommel horse and vault horse are two distinct apparatuses used in men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics. The pommel horse is a gymnastics apparatus that resembles a vaulting horse without a vaulting board.

The vault is another artistic gymnastics apparatus, performed by both male and female gymnasts. While they may appear similar at first glance, there are several key differences between the two:

Handles: The most obvious distinction is the presence of handles (also called pommels) on the pommel horse, which gymnasts use to perform circular and swinging movements. In contrast, the vault horse has no handles.

Size: The pommel horse is smaller than the vault horse. The regulation size for the pommel horse is 160 cm long, 35 cm wide, and 105 cm high, while the vault table measures 120 cm long, 95 cm wide, and 135 cm high.

Events: The pommel horse is an event only contested by male gymnasts, while the vault is performed by both men and women.

Routines: On the pommel horse, gymnasts must perform a series of continuous skills, with no stops allowed. They shift their weight from one handle to the other, performing circular and scissor-like movements. In contrast, the vault involves a single explosive skill, with the gymnast running down a runway, hurdling onto a springboard, and performing a pre-designed vault over the horse.

Scoring: In pommel horse routines, the difficulty and execution are both important factors in the scoring. For vaults, the score is a combination of the difficulty (D-score) and execution (E-score).

Skill Level: The pommel horse is considered one of the most challenging apparatuses in men’s gymnastics, requiring a high level of strength, technique, and precision. The vault, while still demanding, is more accessible to a wider range of gymnasts.

In summary, while the pommel horse and vault horse may appear similar, they are distinct apparatuses with different designs, events, routines, and skill requirements. Understanding these key differences is crucial for appreciating the nuances of artistic gymnastics.