Equestrian vaulting combines the strength of gymnastics with the beauty of dance on the back of a moving horse. It is one of the seven recognized disciplines in international equestrian sports. Vaulting is also used to develop basic equitation and in many therapeutic programs. Have you ever considered what vaulting might be able to add to your riding program? Would you need to train a horse for a vaulting club? Do you want to know what the judge is seeing when scoring vaulters? Whether you are thinking about starting a vaulting program, or are considering developing a team for high-level competition, the second annual Spirit of Vaulting Conference scheduled for October 21-23, 2005 at Campbell Springs Farm, near Richmond, VA, will answer these questions and more.

Jan Weber, American Vaulting Association Region IX Supervisor, marveled at the diversity of programming planned for parents, longeurs, coaches and vaulters. She emphasized, “Those getting started to those with international experience will find useful information that is a not to be missed opportunity!” Weber extends an invitation from the entire region to all equestrians and friends that would like to learn more about this exciting sport to three days of concurrent sessions, exhibitions and a mini-trade show.

“The Spirit of Vaulting Conference will be the most comprehensive and exciting equestrian vaulting event in the U.S. this year,” according to Katie Flannagan, who coaches Balance Vaulters in Maidens, VA, and who is serving as conference coordinator. “Vaulters, coaches, riders and trainers alike will benefit from this veritable German invasion due to hit the East Coast this fall. Master clinicians from Germany will meet up with the best of the U.S. to reach vaulting enthusiasts of all ages and abilities.”

Educational sessions follow tracks on team building, through the eyes of the judge, the vaulting horse, and recreational vaulting. There will also be a youth council social event for younger vaulters and siblings.

Conference planners pulled together an international group of leading vaulting authorities to explore many aspects of the discipline. The latest addition to an already impressive list of speakers is Tanya Benedetto, two-time World Vaulting Champion (1994 and 1996), Bronze-medal winner in 1992, and European Champion in 1995 and 1997. Since retiring from competition, she has served as a physiotherapist for the German National Team, has coached several top German teams and individuals and is now a German National Vaulting Judge. Benedetto will bring an incredible wealth of information on conditioning, training and judging.

She will join: Christoph Lensing, three time men’s Individual World Champion, three-time European Champion, coach of the Swedish team that won a Bronze medal in the last World Equestrian Games, as well as designer of innovative surcingles; Marion Gottschalk-Doerner, coach and judge from Germany, and international longeur who longed for U.S. vaulter Devon Maitozo when he won the 1998 Men’s World Champion title; Nancy Stevens-Brown, president of the American Vaulting Association and a highly sought after clinician who coached Timberline Vaulters from 1972–1996 to seven National A-Team Championship titles; and Lynne Owen, American Vaulting Association Recorded (R) Judge who just completed judging at the 2005 USEF/AVA National Championships in Denver, CO.

Program details and registration materials for the AVA Spirit of Vaulting Conference, as well as information about vaulting programs in the region can be found at www.geocities.com/avaregionix. General information about the sport of equestrian vaulting is available at www.americanvaulting.org.


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