Combine elements of gymnastics and dance, put it together on top of a moving horse, and you get vaulting.
There is a successful program to teach folks the skills at Warm Beach Christian Camps and Conference Center south of Stanwood.
Kaleb Patterson, 10, really took to the program. He recently won the Copper Men High Point award from the American Vaulting Association Washington, D.C.
The fourth-grader at Twin City Elementary School in Stanwood has been vaulting for two years with the Warm Beach Vaulters.
Kaleb and his team have competed in Colorado, Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and in California, considered by many in the sport as the hub of competitive vaulting, said Sarah Eschbach, Marketing Associate with Warm Beach.
The team is heading in July to Kentucky for nationals. Patti Skipton is the team coach.
“Starting in 2006, the Warm Beach Camp Vaulters have grown to be the largest club in the Pacific Northwest with over 30 riders taking weekly lessons,” Eschbach said. “The vaulting club at Warm Beach is comprised of a trot team and two canter teams.”
Competitors hail from Renton, Monroe, Snohomish and Lynden.
The sport of vaulting dates back to Roman times when cavalry riders trained for war.
“Kaleb’s award is for receiving the most points in 2008 AVA recognized competitions for men in the Copper Division, the first of four canter divisions in vaulting,” Eschbach said. “In 2007, Kaleb’s trot team won the national competition.”
Kaleb rides the horses owned by the camp. His father, Patrick Patterson, said as long as the camp offers horses, there is no need to buy one.
Traveling expenses are no more for the family than costs for other traveling sports programs, he said. And the vaulting team has some sponsors.
Through the Warm Beach vaulting program, it’s hoped students learn team work, determination and responsibility while gaining self-confidence, Eschbach said.
“Vaulters perform both compulsory and freestyle rounds with their scores averaged for an overall score. Vaulting requires a unique blend of athleticism, artistry and teamwork not to mention fearlessness.”
The young rider beat several teenagers to win the Copper Men High Point award.
“Being able to make up my own freestyle and perform it are my favorite parts of vaulting,” Kaleb said. “Vaulting is a lot of work but its great fun and you make great friends.”
Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451, oharran@heraldnet.com.
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