August 15, 2011 – More than 300 top equestrian vaulters in the United States came together this weekend at the National Western Complex in Denver, CO, for the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championships – and they did not disappoint.
The Woodside Vaulters of Woodside, CA, gained the top spot on the podium in the USEF/AVA National Team Vaulting Championships. The A team of the Woodside Vaulters consists of Katharine Wick, Gabe Aniello, Allysa Bonora, Tessa Divita, Kathryn Jaggers, Siddartha Kreaden,
“Our team vaulting championship was especially good this year, at all levels, from the lowest levels to the highest level,” said Linda Bibbler, Vice President of Competitions for the American Vaulting Association (AVA). “I was happy to see such strong representation from all parts of the country. All together the quality of the individual vaulters, pas de deux, and teams was very high.”
The Woodside Vaulters continued to dominate with Patrick Stevens, the Men’s Individual National Champion, on Agado lunged by Julie Divita, and Giovanni lunged by Krista Mack. In 2007, Stevens was the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Champion in the Silver Men’s division, and in 2009 he was second. In 2010, Stevens finished sixth at the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championships.
For the second year in a row, the Women’s Individual National Champion was Mary McCormick, one of America’s most decorated vaulters. McCormick, of Mt. Eden Vaulters, Saratoga, CA, vaulted on Sir Anthony Van Dyck (aka “Spike”) lunged by Carolyn Bland. McCormick was named USEF Vaulter of the Year in 2007 and 2009.
Next year, the AVA/USEF National Vaulting Championships will take place at the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, August 1-5, 2012.
