Individual vaulting features a single vaulter performing compulsory exercises and a freestyle routine on the horse alone. The individual format allows judges to evaluate a vaulter's technical precision, personal artistry, and relationship with the horse without the added complexity of coordination with other vaulters.
Pas de deux features two vaulters performing a choreographed routine together on the horse simultaneously. The two vaulters must demonstrate technical skill on par with individual competitors while adding the challenge of synchronization and at advanced levels, lifts and supported positions. The relationship and complementary movement quality between the two athletes is explicitly evaluated.
Squad vaulting features teams of up to eight vaulters who rotate on and off the horse throughout a freestyle routine. Squads may have as many as four or five vaulters on the horse simultaneously at peak moments, and the choreographic possibilities including multi-person pyramids and lifts are significantly greater than in other formats. Squad vaulting is the format most commonly seen in major international championships.