March 10, 2016, Courtesy of the Snoqualmie Valley Record – Equestrian vaulting is the ice dancing of the equestrian world, combining gymnastics, dance, music, strength, and balance on the back of a moving horse. The Snoqualmie Valley and surrounding area has become a hub for this growing international sport.
Several national champions and top-level teams are located in the Valley. They are members of the American Vaulting Association (AVA), the organization that sets the national standards for vaulting. Washington is in Region III of the AVA which also includes Oregon, Idaho and Montana.
Isabella Davie and Sophia Walters, both of Fall City, won the 2015 AVA national championship trot pairs and placed first and second overall in the preliminary trot division at nationals.
Also in 2015, Cascade Vaulters member Rachel Cathro of Sammamish placed second among the junior (canter) one-star class, and fourth in the Silver (canter) level AVA national championship.
Abigail Hunter from Redwing Vaulters was the women’s trot champion and Clementine Cimetiere from Redmond placed second overall in trot at the 2014 AVA national championship. Kristen Hayenga from Redwing was the trot women’s champion for the 2015 AVA Region III regional championship.
Vaulters and horses are judged at competitions on harmony working together and other attributes. Horses used for equestrian vaulting are some the largest breeds like drafts and Belgians; they are controlled by a “lunger” who stands in the center holding a line to guide the horse in a circle through a walk, trot and canter, while vaulters perform their routines to music.
Equestrian vaulting is a more affordable equestrian sport, since participants don’t need to own horses. It is not an Olympic event, but is an event in the World Equestrian Games.
The three area clubs are related. Red Wing Vaulters was formed in 1996 and Cascade Vaulters was a spin-off from Red Wing in 2004. Beau Soleil Vaulters was a spin-off from Cascade in 2011.
Red Wing Vaulters is located on Union Hill and has both recreational and competitive vaulters from beginning walk to canter. Cascade Vaulters practice at StoneGate Stables in Maple Valley and at Patterson Creek Farm in Fall City. Beau Soleil is currently recruiting beginner vaulters ages 5-8 in the walk division.
Beau Soleil will offer a demo of the sport in June at its stable on Union Hill.
Learn more at the club websites:
Beau Soleil – www.beausoleilvaulters.com
Redwing Vaulters – www.redwingvaulters.com
Cascade Vaulters – www.cascadevaulters.org
This article was reprinted courtesy of the Snoqualmie Valley Record