The Horse Council of B.C. has named Chilliwack's Alisa Schmidt its athlete of the year.
The award recognizes outstanding performance by a senior or junior athletes competing in a recognized equestrian discipline at the provincial, national and/or international level.
Based on that criteria, Schmidt was an easy choice. She won a bronze medal for Canada at CVI Woodside in California. Later, back home in Chilliwack, she won the new Pacific Cup Award for the female vaulter with the highest aggregate technique score from the two FEI (Fédération Equestre Internationale) events held on the Pacific coast.
In October, Schmidt finished off the season by winning her third straight title as Canadian national women’s vaulting champion.
When not competing, Schmidt is the head coach of the Cheam Vaulters. Six of her students reached the FEI competitive level this season, collectively winning eight medals in 2012.
Cheam's Team Radiance won gold at the Chilliwack event.
See vaultcanada.org for more Canadian vaulting info.