OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN VAULTING ASSOCIATION 11845 SKYLINE BLVD., LOS GATOS, CA 95033 www.americanvaulting.org FEBRUARY 2001 Club Reports Page 4 Vaulting Expressions of Joy Top left: Ginny Kaufmann on Gucci; top right: Alliana Hightower on Cowboy Calvin; middle: Leslie Hamar on Falcon; bottom left: Emma Drinker and Kerith Lemon; bottom middle: Shaunna Pomerantz; bottom right: Kenny Geisler on Goliath Photo: Eric Jewett AHSA and USET Conclude Strategic Planning Press Release from AHSA January 24, 2001 thousands of dollars in existing revenues The American Horse Shows Associa- from the AHSA. I don’t think it will stand tion (AHSA) announced today that the fa- scrutiny, and I don’t think it is practical. cilitated Strategic Planning Initiative (SPI) Many of those who would have to pay these to consider the future governance of eques- added fees have objected to the existing fees trian sport, commenced in early October charged by the AHSA as too high right now. under auspices of the United States Olym- Worse, this plan won’t come close to rais- pic Committee (USOC), is apparently at an ing what the USET would really need. I end. would say it relies on a seriously flawed James C. Wofford and Katharine E. business model.” AHSA Board to Hold Jackson, AHSA’s representatives to the SPI Special Session Steering Committee, said that actions taken ...USET to be re-named, Press Release from AHSA by the trustees of the United States Eques- and then seek to become January 25, 2001 trian Team (USET) at a meeting in Florida the National Governing The Board of Directors of the on Monday, January 22, 2001, apparently American Horse Shows Association ended the effort. “The USET trustees were Body (NGB) for equestrian is to hold a urged to vote between options which we sport, reversing roles with special session on Monday, thought were to be presented to them only the AHSA... January 29, 2001 at 4 p.m. EST. The for suggestions and comment,” said Jack- meeting is being held in response to son. “Our clear mutual understanding Balch said that the AHSA will an- actions taken by the United States within the SPI task force on January 9 was nounce its final plans for meeting the NGB Equestrian Team (USET) during its that the options were to be presented to the compliance requirements of the USOC in recent session at which issues regard- boards of the AHSA and USET in person, the very near future. “We are now sched- ing the Strategic Planning Initiative for input and discussion, not votes, so that uling new meetings of our national and in- (SPI), for the future governance of we could continue to come together for the ternational affiliate organizations, officers, Equestrian sport were discussed. good of the sport. However, the USET lead- and directors. Personally, I am disappointed Due to the extraordinary nature ership recommended a confrontational path that the USET has chosen the path it has, of this meeting, it will be held by instead.” refusing the option of consolidation with telephone conference under new pro- The USET trustees voted by a wide the AHSA. There can be no question that cedures recently adopted by the margin Monday to endorse an option for that would have been the most efficient and AHSA Board. Public participation the governance of the sport calling for the positive outcome of the strategic planning is therefore impractical. However, USET to be re-named, and then seek to be- process. The option we preferred was in- accredited equestrian media are in- come the National Governing Body (NGB) clusive, democratic, and conciliatory, and vited to attend, provided arrange- for equestrian sport, reversing roles with the provided a framework of complete access ments are made in advance through AHSA, which has been NGB since the term to all equestrian functions, throughout the the AHSA Communications Depart- was codified in federal law in 1978. entire pyramid from grass roots to elite, by ment. Please contact Christine E. “Monday was a sad day for all horse- all members and adherents of the sport.” Stafford at 859/225-6923 or via men,” said Alan F. Balch, AHSA president. For more information, please contact email at [email protected]. “The USET’s action is divisive, and pits Christine E. Stafford, Director of Commu- The Strategic Planning Initia- organization against organization, horse- nications on (859) 225 6923 or via email at tive, which commenced in October man against horseman, and athlete against [email protected]. AHSA press releases 2000, came to an apparent end on athlete. The proposal presented Monday are available on our web site - Monday, January 22, 2001 at a USET was another variation of what has changed www.ahsa.org. meeting in Florida. During this ses- each time we’ve seen it. It is exclusionary, sion, the USET voted to end its ef- elitist, and adversarial. It seeks to raise “The USET’s action is forts in working together with the funding for new USET functions on the AHSA towards a mutual agreement. back of international and aspiring athletes, divisive, and pits claiming to generate nearly $1.5 million in organization against new funds through a combination of new organization, horseman Vaulting World will keep you fees on international competitors, young against horseman, and updated on any developments. You riders, juniors, and owners, $100 manda- are encouraged to visit the AHSA tory membership fees, and $15 per horse athlete against athlete.” website (www.ahsa.org) for news. Alan Balch, AHSA President drug fees, as well as removing hundreds of Vaulting World 2 February 2001 Table of Contents ARTICLES AHSA and USET Conclude Strategic Planning .................................... 2 Ashley Pickard shares her Club Reports .......................................................................................... 4 enthusiasm for vaulting Affiliates .................................................................................. 18 on page 24. West Nile Fever Update ....................................................................... 23 Photo: Samuels Friendship Team Beams by Nancy Stevens-Brown.............................. 24 You Do What by Ashley Pickard.......................................................... 24 HSUS and FEMA Sign Agreement ..................................................... 25 FEATURES Medal Tests (March 4, 2000 to November 19, 2000) .......................... 26 AVA Directory ..................................................................................... 27 Calendar of Vaulting Events ................................................................ 28 Piiholo Vaulters perform an evening demonstration. Photo: Courtesy Piiholo Happy Hearts Vaulters line up for the camera. Photo: Courtesy Happy Hearts Vicki Smith wrote about vaulting in Ecador. Photo:Vick Smith Vaulting World is published by the American Vaulting Association. Mail all items If you have any changes or for publication to: Vaulting World, 11845 Skyline Blvd., Los Gatos, CA 95030, or corrections to your mailing 201 Bear Oaks Court, Martinez, CA 94553-9753. 2000-2001 deadlines are: Feb- address for Vaulting World, are ruary 28 for publication April 1, April 30 for publication June 1, June 30 for pub- having problems receiving lication August 1, August 31 for publication October 1, October 30 for publication your issues, or wish additional December 1, December 31 for publication February 1, 2002 copies please contact the AVA For Vaulting World Classified ads are $5 each for 3 or 4 lines. Display ad rates are $12 per column inch, $100 for 1/3 page, $115 for 1/2 page and $200 National Office at 642 Alford for full page. Submit information and check payable to “AVA” and mail to Vault- Place, Bainbridge Island, ing World, 11845 Skyline Blvd., Los Gatos, CA 95033. Washington 98110. Phone No part of this publication may be reproduced either in whole or in part without 206/780-9353 or fax 206/780- written permission. Bulk rate postage paid at Cupertino, CA. To subscribe: Affili- 9355. The mailing lists are ate AVA Memberships are $25 (U.S.), $35 (Foreign) annually payable in U.S. funds drawn on a U.S. Bank. Copyright by American Vaulting Association 2001. downloaded from the AVA Editor: Carole Dwinell 925/372-3374, Membership files and extra e-mail [email protected] copies of Vaulting World are Managing Editor: Marianne Rose 408/867-1789 kept at the National Office. e-mail [email protected] Printed by Roberts Press 408//255-3937 Vaulting World 3 February 2001 Club Reports ACORN VAULTERS Christmas variety show held at Agape Arena featured (TB), MAX (TB/CLYDE), Coach: MERRY COLE, 53 GUEST COURT, EDGEWOOD, NM 87015 vaulting teams of four different levels from the stable Region: IV, First Registered: 1983 Phone: 505/286-0540, Email: [email protected] this year. Our numbers are increasing. We hosted a Colors: TURQUOISE AND BLACK Horses: PEARL (SHIRE), PETE (A.D.) summer Regional Competition judged by Stephanie Merry Cole Coach: SUSAN CASKEY, Region: IV, Siemans. Our canter team earned their Bronze Med- The club has always been coached by Merry Cole, First Registered: 1992, Colors: BLACK & SILVER als at this Fest. On the same weekend we featured a who brought the sport from Virginia. Assistant coaches regional clinic with Nancy Stevens-Brown. Both have been: Anna Schulte, Greta Shryock and Danielle events were enjoyed by new and old vaulters alike! Deojay. this year the club has enjoyed the talents of This fall, both Agape trot and canter vaulters com- Ingrid Kokoschineck from Austria. Club membership peted successfully at the East Coast Fest. Three of always bounces around 20 vaulters. Region IV has our vaulters trained with Rick and Virginia Hawthorne few competitions, therefore the club has been creative in California. A big thanks to them and the whole in presenting demonstrations to the local horse com- Valley View Club for the memorable experience, hos- munity. Costumed acts and lively routines create in- pitality, and “homework” they brought back to share terest in our sport. We are well known and respected with their teammates. in our community. We welcome all coming our way. Next year we hope to conduct more introductory vault- ing clinics for new teams.