Cascade Vaulters

For those that have seen the big blue ribbon on Cali's stall, yes, Cali did win "Best Horse" at the American Vaulting Association's Region III Championships this past weekend with horse scores as high as 6.7. I believe she was also the competition's nominee for the AVA's National Horse of the Year Award.

As for our vaulters, Danielle won both the Region's Silver Championship and the Preliminary Technical Test. Sandy won the first round in the Bronze class and finished a strong second overall, less then 0.1behind Jessica from the Emerald City Vaulters. Our Coppers, Alyssa and Hedessah both did well for their first competition at canter, with Alyssa getting a 5.7 for her seat and Hedessah getting a 5.8 for her flag. Ryan put in a solid Preliminary Trot performance finishing in the middle of the pack with a score of 5.1, up significantly from a 4.3 at Spring Fest.

On the barrel, Cascade Vaulters also took first and second in Family / Friend Doubles. Ryan did very well finishing second in Intermediate Barrel freestyle to the 2006 National Trot Champion, Sydney from Flying Star Vaulters. Danielle and Sandy put on an amazing Advanced Barrel Paris routine that finished second by only a tenth of a point behind an older and more experienced pair from the Northwind Vaulters. Ryan was also very impressive in the Music Interpretation Barrel class finishing third behind two older and more experienced vaulters: the first, Cherissa from the Mt Rainier Vaulters, was the 2005 National Trot Barrel Champion and is/was a competitive gymnast; and the second, Penny form Northwind, has her bronze medal and is competitive Irish dancer in her late twenties. Sandy also did well in the Advanced Individual Barrel class finishing fourth behind two gold level Canadian vaulters that went to WEG and another bronze level vaulter from Devonwood.

A big thanks to the parents, volunteers and Mecca staff that made all this possible.