Team Zelos will be representing Australia in the FEI World Vaulting Championships for Juniors from 5-9 August, in Ermelo (NED).
The members of the team come from 4 different states: McKeira Cumming (QLD), Kieran Halliday (WA), Kelsea Haste (NSW), Emily Jones (NSW), Ginger Kennett-McLaughlin (NSW), Isabella Napthali (NSW), Alexandra Playfoot (VIC) and Rebecca Vanderpeear (SA). Since February the team manages to meet nearly every weekend despite coming from different states.
The team initially started at the Southern Highlands Vaulting Club (NSW) in December last year, the team trained on all three of Kerri Wilson's horses : Cognac, Tigger and Morgan. They have also trained at Sydney Vaulting Group (NSW) with Lyn Lynch on horses Louis and Jeremy, as well as with Mike Winwood of the Kingfisher Vaulting Club (QLD) on horse Brigadoon. They have competed at competitions on Louis at the Scone Competition and with Brigadoon at Ella Springs competition and QLD State Championships. The team prior to leaving for Europe were training 3-4 weekends a month at either both NSW clubs or QLD.
"A squad doesn't need to qualify but needs to be selected by the three vaulting national selectors. It is important to show that the team can work well together. Team Zelos showed that, regardless of what horse they were on, they could bring their freestyle together working as a team. This will be a huge asset for them overseas."says Sarah Jones, team manager for team Zelos.
"As Australia is still a young nation at vaulting, it will be the first time that an Australian junior team goes to compete at World Championships over in Europe. It is an exciting and amazing experience for them. We will be proud regardless of whether we place or not!"
The team has just finished a 5 day clinic in Denmark with five of the world's best vaulting coaching. "With this kind of coaching and the amazing experience that they have gained they will be able to bring all this back to their clubs and share their knowledge to bring Australia in on vaulting," said Sarah.
Horse - Warrel
9-year-old, bay gelding, Rheinisches Pferdestammbuch e.V.Studbook
Owners: Gerlinde Gruen (Germany)
Sire: Witbooi
Dam: Rubina G
Team
McKeira Cumming
From: Wongawallen, QLD
Date of Birth: 27/09/1999
Age at Games: 15
Kieran Halliday
From: Herne Hill, WA
Date of Birth: 15/06/2000
Age at Games: 15
Kelsea Haste
From: Arcadia, NSW
Date of Birth: 11/07/2000
Age at Games: 15
Emily Jones
From: Cattai, NSW
Date of Birth: 3/10/1998
Age at Games: 16
Ginger Kennett-McLaughlin
From: Picton, NSW
Date of Birth: 27/12/2002
Age at Games: 12
Isabella Napthali
From: Mittagong, NSW
Date of Birth: 1/02/2004
Age at Games: 11
Alexandra Playfoot
From: St Kilda, VIC
Date of Birth: 11/07/2002
Age at Games: 13
Rebecca Vanderpeear
From: Angle Vale, SA
Date of Birth: 27/01/1998
Age at Games: 17
