| The pommel horse is an event exclusively in men's | | | | as, if not more, important than muscle strength to get |
| gymnastics competition. The horse was originally | | | | the gymnast through his routine. |
| invented to practice mounting and dismounting a steed, | | | | International level routines consist of at least one |
| though the modern day competition shows little | | | | element from each of these groups: single leg swings |
| homage to those humble origins. Training is usually | | | | and scissors, circles (with or without spindles), side |
| done not on a pommel horse but a mushroom; the | | | | support travels, and kehrswings or weneswings. |
| gymnast moves to the pommel horse only when he is | | | | Gymnasts are also judged on the dismount. |
| able to do basic swings and scissors on the | | | | Kehrswings and weneswings are full body rotations on |
| mushroom. | | | | one or both arms. |
| Today's competition consists of single and double leg | | | | The measurements of a regulation pommel horse are |
| swings. Because of the strength needed in the arms | | | | as follows: |
| and upper body, it is not used in women's competition. | | | | Height from top to floor: 3.8 ft (115 cm) |
| Most of the time legs are together, which requires | | | | Length: 5.2 ft (160 cm) at the top, 5.1 feet (155 cm) at |
| more core strength, though momentum is used heavily | | | | bottom |
| to be able to get from one trick to another. Pommel | | | | Width: 14 inches (35 cm) at top, 12 inches (30 cm) at |
| horse is one of, if not the most difficult gymnastic | | | | bottom |
| event. Because nothing is held, technique and flow are | | | | Pommel Height: 4. |