  The recent detection of pulsed $\gamma$-ray emission from the Vela pulsar in
the $\sim10$ to 100 GeV range by H.E.S.S. promises an important potential to
probe into the very high energy (VHE) radiation mechanisms of pulsars. The
recent detection of pulsed $\gamma$-ray emission from the Vela pulsar in the
$\sim10$ to 100 GeV range by H.E.S.S. promises an important potential to probe
into the very high energy (VHE) radiation mechanisms of pulsars. We analyze
achievable particle energies in the magnetosphere of the Vela pulsar, and
calculate the resultant emission properties. Inverse Compton up-scattering of
thermal photons from the surface of the star is shown to lead a pulsed VHE
contribution reaching into the TeV regime with spectral characteristics
compatible with current findings. If confirmed by further observations this
could be the second case where rotationally-driven processes turn out to be
important to understand the VHE emission in young pulsars.
