Jean Betts, from Junior World to Australian Vaulting Championships
"I was privileged to be selected to represent Australia at the FEI World Juniors Vaulting Championships in Ebreichsdorf in Austria.
I am a member of the Fassifern Vaulting Club, in South East Queensland, where I started vaulting at the age of 6 in 2007.
In 2010, I joined the canter team as a flyer. I am still in the canter team – and sometimes still a flyer. In addition to the team, I also vault as an individual and in a canter Pas de Deux.
My journey to Junior Worlds really started in April, when I achieved the qualifying score at the Mt Hunter CVI. I was lucky enough to get a ride on Julie Newell’s horse River of Thyme (Ginge or the ginger pony), an 11-year-old 17hh chestnut gelding. I spent 2 weeks in England training with Julie and her team. I was also lucky enough to get some training time with Rob deBruin.
After training in England, Ginge went on the truck for a 4-day trip and we flew to Austria for the Championships. Both the World Junior and European Senior Championships were held together, made for a total of 250 vaulters and 128 horses! The venue was amazing, as was running in and competing in front of over 1,000 people.
The score wasn’t what I hoped for, but the experience and what I learnt is invaluable.
Now that I am back in Australia, I plan to keep vaulting and help other vaulters achieve their dream. It is great competing at the Australian Vaulting Championships and catching up with friends."
Jean concludes the weekend in first place in the Female Junior Individual Advanced class with an overall score of 6.469 after the three rounds.
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