Also, if anyone out there has a horse that might be suitable, PLEASE email me. Good vaulting horses are few and far between at the moment. They should be 15hh or more, medium to heavy build, and most of all SOUND. Vaulting is a very demanding sport for the horse. It should lunge nicely, be well-balanced and not react to strange movements or to feet and hands in odd places ie not buck when you put a hand or foot on its croup! All breeds are welcome, and it must be at least 6 years old.
Here are the team members!
1. Me - Susan Cheeseman - currently competing at C level canter but hoping to move up to B level soon. I have been vaulting since 1993, the same year I attended my first Nationals in trot/walk, a class we no longer do. I especially love pas de deux and teams, but due to lack of a team horse won't get to do much of this for a while.
2. Amanda Knuckey - also from Pony Club, did a little vaulting at NEqC but never competed. Amanda is 17 and does every horse sport she can possibly do! It's a wonder she has time for anything else.
3. Heather Rann - learned a little bit about vaulting at a riding camp at NEqC. Another PC member, also junior staff at Canberra Equestrian Centre. Heather's mum has some beautiful Andalusians, but unfortunately we can't use them for vaulting! Heather is 15.
4. Stephen Dingwall - used to vault with me at Stromlo Equestrian Centre. This guy has real talent! He is currently the only boy game enough to vault. It's probably the thought of wearing tights that scares them off! Stephen has a big future in this sport if he decides to continue. He is 16.
5. Stefanie Dawson - Stef and I did a pas de deux about 4 years ago when we were both at NEqC and got bucked off at the National Championships! It was terribly embarrassing! Stef has great talent and will go a long way. She is 16 also.
6. Julia Dawson - Julia is also going to do well. She is very keen to get to A level, but it will take a while of course. She is now 13 so has plenty of time. Julia started at NEqC about the same time as Stef, but doesn't remember much about it.
7. Jenny O'Connor - Jenny is the only one with no vaulting experience but it doesn't seem to matter! She picks things up really fast!
Ella Dion was with us for a while but has recently been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. We hope you get well soon Ella - we want a team of eight for next comp!
The horse is, of course, my legendary boy Ben, who is so patient and kind. His only problem is that he stops when he thinks you're going to fall off! Now he's getting old and his back is not so strong, he can only take 65kg maximum at a time, so no pas de deux or teams for him unfortunately! However, all the kids love him and the parents think he's the best thing since sliced bread! There are a few photos of him in the photo gallery, and I promise to have some of us vaulting on him soon! GOOD NEWS - we have a new horse on trial! His name is Sales, you can read about him (and Ben) here.
By the way, that photo at the top is the World Champions - Germany - showing their amazing team freestyle at the recent World Vaulting Championships. I guess it's something we can all aspire to. Nick Hartog, from Queensland, came 5th in the male individual - WOW - and Tristyn Lowe, from ACT, came 13th in the female individual - well done to both of them! Nick has been in the finals a few times now, but Tristyn is the first Australian female to make it to the final, which is the best 15 vaulters from the first round. She even managed to move up one place after the second round!
Vaulting training is Tuesday from 5pm to 7pm, and Friday from 4:30pm to 6:30pm. Other days can be arranged provided there is a minimum number of 4 people attending! It costs $12 per session. If you pay for 10 sessions in advance, you will only pay $110 - that's a saving of $10! Woo hoo! If you wish to have a private session, you may book one at any time. Private sessions go for one hour and cost $25. Once you've been for a while and decided you like it, Susan will explain the new cost system to you, for those who wish to join the club and compete.
Uniform is a green and black unitard which is $110 (you can pay it in instalments if you wish). Shoes cost $44, or you can go for plain old Jiffies (black of course - available at Betts and Betts but only in kids sizes!). Regular fundraising is done to pay for other team activities, such as competition costs. We are currently doing a chocolate drive to enable us to buy the new horse, and a team tracksuit. Anyone who wishes to help us, please email. We have about $800 to go.
Please note :- EFA membership is compulsory for anyone over 10 years old who wishes to compete. This is $71.50 for a junior (under 18) member's first year, then $55 per year after that. Senior membership is $110 per year.
