Mo Fitzgerald still has all the moves at vaulting

Riding a horse at the age of 74 would be considered ill-advised by many, never mind standing on the horse’s back, doing tricks or riding backwards.

Lonehill resident, Mo Fitzgerald (née Hill) was a South African artistic gymnastics champion for 10 years in her youth.

This, coupled with her experience in ballet (which she still teaches), helped her learn the art of vaulting quickly at Riba Stables in Kyalami.

In just one year, Fitzgerald has learned to do movements on horseback with such precision that left onlookers gasping in awe at a recent vaulting fun session at the stables.

“I would say learning vaulting has not been difficult, the techniques are all similar to gymnastics and ballet,” she explained.

“I started because I have always wanted to do gymnastics and ballet on a horse. I like horses and I feel fulfilled when I do my tricks.”

Fitzgerald vaults once a week under the tutorship of Jasyn Gertenbach.

They start with stretches and warm-ups before Fitzgerald practises on a barrel or mechanical horse.

She does shoulder stands, chest stands, forward rolls, backward rolls and more.

Then the pair moves on to the real horse, where Fitzgerald does the same movements without a hint of doubt or fear.

“If I hurt myself I will work around my injuries. I have learned to do that in my career.”

Fitzgerald hopes to vault as long as she can, joking that she will only stop when in the grave.