A total of 247 competitors representing all of the American Vaulting Association regions plus France and Denmark gave spectators exciting performances at the USEF/AVA National Champion-ships in the huge stadium at the National Western Complex, Aug. 10-14 in Denver, Colo.

With the FEI rule changes early this year, the second round compulsory exercises for gold-level vaulters have been replaced with a freestyle technical test that includes five specific required moves and the ability to use music with vocals. Both the men and women at the gold-level took on that new freedom with enthusiasm, and the freestyle routines took on a new dimension.

Returning after an interlude with Cavalia, Erik Martonovich, with his usual characterization of unusual music, presented the first ever full back flip from horse to horse. This move has been a favorite dismount, but landing on the back of a horse makes for an even greater challenge. This was a definite crowd pleaser.

But former World Champion Devon Maitozo, who placed fifth at the European Championships a few weeks earlier, didn’t let his competitor’s amazing feat deter him from turning in an impressive performance on all the elements of his four classes for the win. From elegant compulsories to a dance through all three of his freestyle routines, he demonstrated what it takes to be a champion. Mozart, a Czech Warmblood, gives him the most confidence of all the horses.

Megan Benjamin of Mt. Eden was a strong first place on Faronia, a Hanoverian, in both rounds with teammate Mari Inuoye close on her heels for reserve champion. Benjamin held first place through all four goes, but Inuoye also gave a fantastic performance.

The Mt. Eden Vaulting Club had the depth to field two “A” teams and bracketed both ends of the podium. The Fire Team came in first in compulsories and the freestyle. Their freestyle contained solid lifts and soft harmony with their horse, Comet, borrowed from the Golden Gate team. They gave an amazing performance, unbelievable considering their limited amount of practice time. To do these kinds of exercises on a new horse speaks volumes for the flexibility and sensitivity to the motion of a horse, not to mention a generosity of equine spirit!

Tambourine’s team and the composite team from Oak Hills/Diamond Bar traded places for the final result with Oak Hills taking the reserve spot and Tambourine the third. There were fewer than 0.004 points difference in the final score. The Mt. Eden Water team turned in a solid performance for fourth.

Colorado’s Golden Gate vaulters Erik Martonovich and partner Alethea Shelton won the pas de deux class in a series of moves that were elegant and fluid, a new presentation for the ever dynamic Martonovich. Blake Dahlgren and Tricia Thompson from the F.A.C.E. club of southern California elected to do their absolutely beautiful routine for scores only because they found music with vocals so appropriate to what they wanted to do. Unfortunately, lyrics are not allowed in competition.

FEI O-rated Judge Adrianne Stang was the recipient of the first AVA Lifetime Achievement Award. Her career truly covers all of the many aspects of vaulting from being a vaulter mother to being a well-respected international vaulting judge.

Zone Awards were also a new surprise as vaulters across the nation received jackets and a check for attending a minimum of three recognized competitions in their respective zones. The highest average of the three scores determined the winners of each zone.