2001 American Vaulting Association National Championships

Eleven of the 40 women who participated in the USA Equestrian recognized classes earned qualifying scores for WEG 2002. Many of the names are familiar in the AVA. Vaulting enthusiasts have watched them develop their personal style. In the years of training, they have increased the difficulty of their freestyle and precision of their compulsories. Mari Inouye, Samantha Smith, Megan Benjamin, Jessica Ballenger, Greta Shryock, Shannyn Poer, Ginny Kaufmann, Alexis Garrod, Michele Cunningham, Alethea Shelton, and Emily Gleason and their horses await future selection trial events. Others may join the list. Only three female vaulters will be selected next summer to participate at WEG IV in Jerez, Spain in September 2002.

Inouye with Faustus, an experienced vaulting horse owned by Phoebe Hearst Cooke of Woodside, CA was crowned Women's Gold National Champion. Inouye dominated the field with a spectacular performance, scoring a half point above her nearest competitor. From 1991-2000 Kerith Lemon was the reigning queen of American vaulting. Lemon's retirement last year may have opened the door to a new legacy.