Chilliwack’s Heritage Park welcomed over 100 competitors to last weekend’s 2017 Canadian National Equestrian Vaulting Championships.
Chilliwack was represented by members of Freedom Acrobatics, who competed individually, in pairs and in teams of six.
In team vaulting, six vaulters work together to present a four minute routine with up to three on the horse at the same time.
Using a Wizard of Oz theme, Freedom’s trot team achieved their highest score of the season, capturing first place ribbons. Team members were Railey Bird, Jordan Sandulak, Jessica VanNuys, Kambria Waddington, Mariah Thiessen, Mirrah Webster and Shaylee Isaac-Edwards.
Using a Nightmare Before Christmas theme, Freedom’s advanced-canter team did the same. Team members were Emma Eidsness, Jocey Vanderlende, Brooke Carter, Ashley Dykstra, Emma Donegan, Amaya Burgener and Trinity Smadello.
Freedom’s elite level canter team, Elements, was featured in a performance class demonstrating the event at the international level. Freedom head coach Alisa Schmidt and Fusion Vaulters (Langley) coach Jessica Church were joined by Smadello, Bird, Samantha Kennedy and Ava Burgener.
In individual vaulting competition, athletes perform compulsory exercises and a freestyle routine to arrive at their overall placing.
In the intermediate trot division, Ava Burgener was third in compulsories, second in freestyle and second overall. Amaya Burgener was third in freestyle and third overall and Isaac-Edwards was second in compulsories.
In the intermediate canter division, Smadello was first in compulsories and Kennedy was first overall with the highest scores in both freestyle rounds.
In the junior advanced canter division, Bird was third in freestyle.
In the elite canter division, Schmidt was second in freestyle and third overall.
Kennedy and Bird teamed up in the trot pairs competition, finishing second overall.
Freedom’s youngest member, Mirrah Webster, performed in the FUNdamentals demonstration class.
The local vaulters will be back home for the season’s final event later this month. FallFest at the Bit Crazy Stable in Greendale takes place Sept. 30.
Freedom Acrobatics is accepting new registrations for the 2017-2018 season. Horses and equipment are provided by the club and prospective vaulters need not have any experience with horses.
Students of all ages, including pre-schoolers and adults, are invited to attend a complementary lesson before deciding if they are interested in the sport. For more information, email the club at Equestrianvaulting@yahoo.ca