Lexington, KY - Despite frigid temperatures in eastern Germany, Gabe Aniello , the United States’ sole representative at the second round of World Cup competitions, managed a successful showing.

Together with the horse Pino del Rio and longeur Elke Shelp-Lensing, Aniello took to the ring with a new routine complete with new music. In a departure from his tenderly elegant “Hallelujah” freestyle from 2012, Aniello chose the markedly more powerful, tempestuous “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons.

Though Aniello's performance in Paris one month earlier was arguably smoother, his unwavering positivity left him nonetheless “satisfied” of his performance in Leipzig, chalking it up to yet another learning experience.

Aniello's sixth place finish overall was behind some of the world’s top male vaulters, including reigning World Champion Nicolas Andreani. Adding to Aniello's enjoyment of the experience was getting to know his competitors outside of the ring.

With two World Cup competitions under his belt thus far, Aniello is gearing up for a busy competition season. At minimum, he plans to attend the CHIO in Aachen and CVI Krumke.

Aniello is quickly establishing himself as promising new talent on the international vaulting scene, the process of which the American vaulting community is in great support of.