Expectations are high in the vaulting community for the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games at the Kentucky Horse Park. In Aachen 2006, Megan Benjamin brought home both women’s individual gold and had a part in Devon Maitozo’s silver win with the FAME Team. That’s just the latest in a long line of vaulting medals brought home to the U.S. since 1983, when vaulting was recognized by the FEI. American vaulters have always medaled at WEG and spectators at the Lexington site should expect history to repeat itself. The players are experienced, dedicated and ready.

This summer’s trials will sort it all out because of the way the individual ranking list works. Scores from the last 18 months are "aged" to 95% of their original point value and then 90% of their original value as the dates get further back. Then the top three scores are totaled. The competitions most important for selection are those occurring between March and August of 2010. That average will determine who represents the U.S. as individuals at this year’s WEG.

Benjamin will again face Mary McCormick and Alicen Divita, who are only 0.20 points apart in the current rankings for the women’s division, so close it’s difficult to say who will dazzle judges as well as fans. With their experience (both have competed at World Championships as individuals before) McCormick and Divita will be at the top of the rankings as the trials progress, along with Benjamin.

Maitozo will be joined by internationally experienced men as Erik Martonovich and Kenny Geisler gear up for the race to Kentucky in the men’s individual division. Both have extensive world experience. With the team rule change for WEG that will not allow vaulters to compete on teams as well as individuals, Maitozo will be focused on his very experienced team while still vaulting as an individual at the trials, just to make sure he will be able to vault should his team not qualify for WEG.

Though they are not as experienced at the WEG level, nonetheless we have some up-and-coming vaulters. For the men, look for good results from Kristian Roberts and Patrick Stevens, who are relatively new to international levels of vaulting. Roberts readily admits to his inexperience and is looking to stay consistent and perfect his routines. Stevens says he wants to strengthen his weaker points, knows what he has to work with, and hopes that his efforts will pay off. Gabe Aniello is going to be worth watching as well. His focus is to train hard, stay focused and keep up with school - not to mention trying to get some sleep!

New Jersey’s Annalise VanVranken and Katharine Wick from California will be strong competitors in the upcoming trials on the women’s side of the WEG roster. VanVranken has to be a strong competitor as she lives and self-coaches on the East Coast and then flies out to the West Coast to train with the F.A.C.E. Vaulters in Southern California on a regular basis. This is all happening as she completes her senior year in high school.

Studying for the all important AP and SAT tests is also on Katharine Wick’s list of important things to do, as the high school junior prepares. She will vault both as an individual at the trials and on the Woodside A Team this year. While the Woodside A Team is young, with an average age of about 16, Wick’s convinced that they have the best team horse in Giovanni. An important factor. Both Wick and VanVranken are vaulting on teams and whichever team gets the spot, one of those women will not vault as an individual.

Teams are gearing up. Woodside and Mt. Eden A teams will be pushing their limits in competition with the F.A.C.E team. It is possible that at least two other teams will be working on routines for the trials. With moves involving up to three members doing a spectacular dance with their horse, the team event can be one of the most exciting of horse competitions. From lifts, handstands and leaps, horse and vaulters move with fluid beauty through the air in defiance of gravity. At the trials, judges will be looking for a balanced forward horse with vaulter grace and fluidity and risk and stability, as well as that unique creative spark necessary to capture gold in Kentucky.

Carole Dwinell spent fifteen years as coach of Black Point Vaulters in Martinez, California with several national champions and one team national championship between the years 1986-2001. She served as editor of Vaulting World for several years and attended all Annual Meetings/National Championships/Open Judges Forums while the club was active. She has written for various national and local publications for more than 20 years. Continuing to work as a fine artist, Carole is illustrating a children’s book and publishing a poetry anthology.