Equestrian Vaulting is truly an amazing sport for spectators to watch! It is the competitive sport of dance and gymnastics performed on the back of a moving horse. Vaulting is performed both individually and in teams, with up to three vaulters on a horse at one time performing choreographed routines to music.

Warm Beach Camp has had a vaulting program as part of the Horsemanship Program since 2006. A number of youth have participated in the program, gaining athletic ability, but also learning teamwork and responsibility in a program that seeks to honor God. They participate in competitions regionally and nationally, winning trophies and gaining recognition for the Horsemanship Program at Warm Beach. The Warm Beach Vaulters has grown to be the largest club in the Pacific Northwest.

A vaulter’s dream is to compete in the Junior World Championship vaulting competition, this year being held in Ermelo, The Netherlands, August 5-9, 2015. For four of the Warm Beach Vaulters, this dream is becoming a reality. Anna Erickson and Daniel Janes will be competing in an open competition, while Kaleb Patterson and Luke Overton hope to represent Team USA in the first ever Junior World Championship. Kaleb and Luke must first qualify through a selections process that takes into account their scoring from competitions that occur in the US and Canada.

Yet, these athletes have more in mind than just competition and world travel. Kaleb Patterson says he has many reasons for aiming for Junior Worlds, but for him, the most important is: “I want to spread the light of Jesus Christ across the world. I feel that is my mission from God, my mission field that I want to take head on. I want to show vaulters across the world what the true love of the Holy Spirit looks like.”

You can follow the Warm Beach Vaulters on Facebook at www.facebook.com/warmbeachvaulters or on the web at www.warmbeachvaulters.com. If you would like to help these athletes financially, please send your tax-deductible contribution to Warm Beach Camp, 20800 Marine Drive, Stanwood, WA 98292, and be sure to mark it for “Vaulting Europe.”