Blake Dahlgren
Sun Valley, California
18 yrs old
Senior at Village Christian High School
Accepted to University of California, Santa Barbara
I started vaulting 15 years ago with the Valley View Vaulters. Three years ago I had the opportunity to become a standing base on our A-Team. Our A-Team has won the national championships twice in the last two years, and qualified for the 2000 World Vaulting Championships in Germany. My current goal is to qualify the team then place in the top three at WEG 2002 in Spain. I take a great deal of pride in what I have achieved thus far. I would like to be remembered as America's best A-Team standing base. This year is my last year for team, but I am not done yet, I am also an individual vaulter. I enjoy vaulting on my favorite horse Shakespeare. As an individual I placed 5th in CVI Saumur, France and will be the USA's men's alternate at WEG 2002. My long-term vaulting goal is to qualify for WEG 2006 as an individual.
In school I am an A+ student and I like to participate in many sports, but vaulting is what I am best at. After I graduate from U.C.S.B. I would like to work in sports management. Most of all right now I live to be happy, and the satisfaction I get when I vault fits that demand in my life.
Shannyn Poer
Acton, California
16 yrs old
I have been vaulting for six years. I am currently doing both Team and Individuals. I would hope to continue my Individuals and compete in the World Equestrian Games some day. What I love about vaulting is traveling to other countries, and how it combines both gymnastics and dance in harmony with the horse, together with music. In my future I would like to do something creative and something that I am passionate about. Right now I am into photography, and although I am not doing dance right now I would I would like to start taking classes again. My achievements are: I have traveled to France, Austria, Germany and Sweden. In France I placed 7th overall. Currently I am competing Gold. My favorite is to compete Kur, because I like performing with the music and the creativity that is possible.
Sterling Weatherley
Agoura, California
11 yrs old.
I love to vault and I love to surf. Our team kur horse is Marshall. I surf in Malibu but the water is really polluted right now so I can't go surfing. My goals are to win silver at Nationals next year, right now I vault in the bronze division. I want to get my bronze medal at the F.A.C.E OFF Competition. My coach is Devon Maitozo. I have been vaulting for a year and a half. My favorite horse is Shakespeare. I do individuals on Marshall for kur and Shakespeare for compulsories. I like to listen to Blink182, Perrywise, No FX, and sum 41. I have 2 brothers that are pro surfers, Benj and Jason. I have 3 sisters their names are Alannah, Chanel and Stephania. My Dad was a pro football player, he played for the Raiders, Redskins and the Falcons. I started vaulting on the A-Team in September 2001.
Tricia Thompson
La Canada, California
17 yrs old.
I have been vaulting for 7 years I am now at bronze level. I was formally on Spirit vaulting Club, and became 2-Phase team Champions at 2000 Santa Barbara National Championships.
Now as a member of F.A.C.E. we have won 3 consecutive competitions and will be representing the USA at the World Equestrian Games in Jerez Spain in September, 2002. Outside of vaulting I am a junior member of the La Canada Trial council and I am a volunteer at M.A.C.H.I.(Move a child higher), a horse therapy program for disabled children. I am involved in chamber singers at my high school, my choir has achieved major awards in several festivals and competitions. I am actively involved in sign language and I take classes at Pasadena City College. Before I started vaulting I was involved in gymnastics, dance, and soccer, but finally decided to stick with gymnastics and dance, and put them both on horseback. Vaulting has helped me a lot in getting to know people and helping me expand my horizons. These days have been the best days of my life.
Rachel Torres
Los Angeles, California
15 yrs old.
I attend school at Verdugo Hills High School. I have been vaulting for 11years and have competed in Europe many times. I am a silver medalist. I also enjoy Hockey, Skateboarding, BMX, snowboarding, Motocross, photography and dance. My favorite vaulting horse is our Team horse Marshall, I love him because he is the most kind horse ever and he is combined of my two favorite breeds of Thoroughbred and Percheron. My goals in vaulting is to make it to the World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain and to medal in the top 3. My life goals are to be a lawyer, a photographer or a fashion designer for famous rock groups, for instance NO DOUBT. Oh, and I love Stars
Leah Smith
Bainbridge Island, Washington
16 yrs old.
I have been vaulting for 9 years, and currently hold my silver medal. One of my goals for vaulting is to medal in Team at the World Equestrian Games this year in Jerez, Spain. My favorite thing to do is to go trail riding on my 15.2 hand Belgian/quarter horse mare named Sweet P. I also enjoy spending time with my Teammates, shopping, playing ultimate frisbee and just having fun.
Adrian Matsumoto
Los Angeles, California
17 yrs old.
I have been vaulting for 12 years. Vaulting has been a large part of my life, going to the World Equestrian games representing the USA has been one of my largest goals and it is an achievement I will never forget. Life outside of vaulting includes school, photography, skatebaording and socializing (in my spare time). I love music and drumming. I'm planning to attends Santa Monica College but still undecided on a Major. Best Advice: ' In life be an individual, be who you want to be, follow your dreams and don't let others force their opinion upon you, but always be open-minded'.
Jaclyn Adkins
Milford, Delaware
15yr old.
I've been vaulting for about 7 years and hold my silver medal. I've been active in Pony Club for 8 years, currently at the C-1 rating. I've ridden most dressage, and went to Pony Club Nationals in 2000. I have competed at vaulting Nationals in 1999 and 2001. I hope someday to compete internationally and be a top level vaulter in the USA.
Bethany Haas
Temecula, Ca
13yr old.
Devon Maitozo (No picture as yet)
Coach and Top Male Competitor
Acton, Ca
26 yr old
My life in vaulting has been quite an adventure and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I studied theater arts at UC Santa Cruz and earned a BA in 1998 while training as a full time international vaulter. 20 years of competition and performance have given me the opportunity to travel all around the world and make lifelong friends. Since I began in vaulting I set my goals high, and it eventually paid off with six National championship titles and 3 World Championship medals. In 1998, after winning a bronze medal in 1996 at the World Championships in Hungary, my lifelong dream came true in the form of a gold medal at the World Equestrian Games in Rome. I am passionate about acting, singing, and dance, and always try to apply my studies and experiences as a performer in theater towards vaulting. I have been the head coach of F.A.C.E. since January of 1999 and am proud to help build one of America's most successful vaulting clubs. This year will be my sixth time competing as an individual at the World Championships and my second time while coaching my team at the same event. Someday I would like to converge my many passions in the form of an equestrian theater. Vaulting, theater, dance, and music will all merge into one!
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