Compulsory exercises in vaulting are the standardized movements that every competitor at a given level must perform, allowing judges to evaluate technical precision on an equal basis. At the international level the FEI compulsories include the basic seat, flag, mill, flank, scissors, stand, and free stand, each with specific technical requirements codified in the FEI Vaulting Rules.
The basic seat tests the vaulter's ability to sit correctly on the horse's back with both arms extended and legs hanging naturally. The flag requires balancing on one knee and the opposite hand while extending the free leg and arm horizontally. The mill is a rotation around the horse's back in four positions, stepping one leg at a time. The flank, scissors, and stand progress through increasingly demanding balance and athleticism requirements.
Each compulsory is scored on a 10-point scale by three judges, and the compulsory scores combine with freestyle scores to produce the final competitive result. Developing clean, correct compulsories before attempting advanced freestyle work is the foundation of every successful vaulting career.