The American Vaulting Association board, at its recent annual meeting, voted to match the United States Hunter Jumper Association’s $1,500 donation to the USEF Youth Council, announced at the recent USEF Inaugural Youth Convention in Lexington. AVA President Nancy Stevens-Brown and AVA Board Member and USEF Youth Council Member Megan Benjamin led the charge.

"Those lucky enough to be involved with horses take pride in the positive influence horses have on children, recognizing that every interaction with their equine friends helps to build character, compassion, consideration and responsibility,” said Stevens-Brown. “The American Vaulting Association fully supports the USEF goal of ensuring that horses remain an integral part of the American experience. We also know that our young athletes are tomorrow’s leaders, and so we wholeheartedly endorse the USEF Youth Council and their commitment to young equestrians in all disciplines."

“Vaulting is really the ultimate youth sport, so the AVA board felt it was very important to support the new USEF Youth Council as it works to develop youth programs within a wide range of equestrian breed affiliates and disciplines,” said USEF Youth Council Member Megan Benjamin, 20. “The vote was unanimous.” Benjamin became the first non-German woman to win the World Vaulting Championship Individual Gold medal in Aachen, Germany, at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games. She was also a Silver medalist in the team division with Team USA.

Vaulting is a unique and growing sport that combines gymnastics and dance in harmony with the horse. Today there are hundreds of vaulting clubs in states from Hawaii to Massachusetts. For more information on vaulting, go to the American Vaulting Association’s website at www.americanvaulting.org.