It’s been a big month for vaulting at the College of West Anglia (CWA) Cambridge Campus, with college-owned horse Sandie competing at her first international competition with vaulter Lexi Day (15) and lunger/CWA Equine Director, Jade Rouchy. The competition was held at Onley Grounds Equestrian Centre in Rugby. Lexi and Sandie both did a great job, despite Lexi being very unwell in the week leading up to the competition, they competed for GBR in Sandie’s international debut and finished on a score of 5.745. Vaulting is best described as a combination of gymnastics and dance on horseback and is suitable for all ages and abilities. It is a great way to improve fitness, strength, coordination and balance. New members do not need to have ridden a horse before but an interest in gymnastics, dance or martial arts is advantageous. Cambridge Vaulting Club (CVC) is successful, fun and competitive, with a team of specifically trained horses, a static barrel, simulator and a wide variety of training equipment for condition work. CVC is also home to three qualified coaches. In 2015, the team competed at both the English and British Vaulting Championships, gaining four Champion titles, as well as many other placings. CVC has had an excellent start to 2016, kicking the season off with the first competition of the year held at the College of West Anglia Cambridge Campus, in April. The team horses Sandie, Boris and Minstrel all performed amazingly, lunged by CWA staff and coaches Nett and Alexis. CWA’s newest vaulter Lizzie Bennett (26), who had only been vaulting for a few weeks, not only competed for the first time but also won her Para class. Lizzie has since competed at the RDA National Championships and is now the National Vaulting Champion, having only been vaulting for a little over three months. The youngest member of the team also competed for the first time, at just five years old. The first weekend in May saw the coaches heading off to Belgium to support CVC member, Lexi Day at her first international competition. Lexi did the team proud, performing well on a borrowed horse from the English Vaulting Squad, Voodoo and finishing on a score of 5.634. This was a fantastic achievement for Lexi, having only vaulted for the past two years. The whole team performed at Open Farm Sunday last month and will be competing in local and national competitions throughout the summer, concluding with the British Championships in October. This month, the club are also looking forward to hosting their very first summer camp. CWA Equine Director Jade Rouchy said: “Having established the club in 2012 with brand new vaulters and then a new horse that we had to train, I could not be more pleased with how the team have developed. I am very proud of our success so far this year and am excited to discover what else can be achieved. I have a fantastic team of horses, coaches, vaulters and parents who make all of this possible.”