PRESS RELEASE

On March 6, 2010, three Warm Beach Vaulters received awards at the national convention of the American Vaulting Association (AVA) held in Portland, Oregon March 5-7, 2010.

Coach Patti Skipton received the “2009 Trainer of the Year” award in recognition of her outstanding horse training ability. Nancy Stevens-Brown, AVA past president told Patti, “I am giving you this award because your horses always look so happy when they compete.” Patti will also be coaching the Friendship Team at the World Equestrian Games held at the Kentucky Horse Park this fall in Lexington Kentucky.

Stanwood High School Graduate (2009) and Seattle Pacific University student, Kimberly Barnes, received the 2009 Silver Women’s High Point award. This award recognizes vaulters who accumulate the most points in at least three AVA recognized competitions throughout the year.

“I was so surprised at first. I really didn’t expect it. It was an awesome way to end my vaulting career, since I’m off to university now,” said Kimberly.

Twin City Elementary Fifth Grader, Kaleb Patterson, received the Bronze Men’s High Point award. This is Kaleb’s second 2009 High Point Award, having received the Copper High Point award for 2008.

“Winning two times in a row was really exciting and showed that I earned may way to the Silver level,” said Kaleb.

Vaulting is the sport of dance and gymnastics performed on the back of a moving horse. Since arriving from Europe in the 1970’s, this sport has made its way to Snohomish County in a big way. The Warm Beach Vaulters, from Warm Beach Camp in Stanwood Washington, is the third largest club in the nation growing from just a few vaulters in 2006 to over 40 today. Warm Beach Vaulters are based at Warm Beach Camp in Stanwood, Washington.

Situated on a picturesque bluff overlooking Port Susan Bay, Warm Beach Camp hosts over 300 church, school, non-profit, and governmental agency groups a year. In addition to hosting camps, conferences, and retreats, Warm Beach Camp also provides programs for all ages including environmental education, challenge course team-building, horsemanship camps, special needs camps, and the Northwest’s premier holiday event, The Lights of Christmas. For more information on Warm Beach Camp and the Warm Beach Vaulters, log on to www.warmbeach.com