Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation® (USEF)/American Vaulting Association (AVA) National Vaulting Championship was held in City of Industry, CA, July 27-30, with members of the F.A.M.E. (Free Artists Mt. Eden) team winning championship titles as they prepare to head to Aachen, Germany for the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG). Megan Benjamin, who is the only vaulter headed to Aachen to compete as both an individual and a member of the team, took the title in the Gold women’s division. Devon Maitozo, who will compete in Aachen as a member of the F.A.M.E. team, took the title in the Gold men’s division. Their mount was Mozart, a 23-year-old Czech Warmblood gelding, owned by Carolyn Bland and Devon Maitozo and longed by Bland.

Benjamin, of Saratoga, CA, took the women's Gold division title for the third consecutive year. Without her long-time equestrian partner, 19-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Faronia, who has been on the injured list for the past six weeks, Benjamin vaulted on Mozart and Paradox, owned and longed by Ingrid Hamar, during the two rounds of competition. Benjamin is a member of the Mt. Eden Vaulting Club.

“I’m honored and excited to be the women’s national vaulting champion for the third time,” said Benjamin. “Without my regular equine partner, Faronia, it was a bit dicey, and I’m grateful to both Ingrid Hamar and Carolyn Bland for allowing me to use their horses for this important competition.”

Maitozo, of Simi Valley, CA, won the Gold men's title for the seventh time. A former WEG vaulting Gold-medalist in the men’s division, Maitozo is concentrating this year on coaching, choreographing and competing on the F.A.M.E. team, and had not competed individually this season until the National Championships. Maitozo co-founded and is a member of the F.A.C.E. (Free Artists Creative Equestrians) Vaulting Team.

"This National Championships helped remind me why I love to vault so much,” said Maitozo. “Positive response from the spectators was the real prize, although the championship title is definitely icing on the cake. And my horse Mozart is the true champion; he made me look good and has helped make our team's dreams come true this year. He is an extraordinary partner."

But it was the F.A.M.E freestyle, in the “A” team division, that had the audience holding their breath. Just off a huge win at CVI** Munich, the F.A.M.E. vaulters had a chance to showcase their skills to a large and appreciative American crowd, who honored them a standing ovation for their performance.

The F.A.M.E. team is a composite of seven vaulters from both coasts. The team includes six members who have won either national or world vaulting medals, in either team or individual competition. Co-coached by former USEF Coach of the Year, Emma Garrod Seely, and Maitozo, the team spans three decades, with the youngest member, Elizabeth Ioannou, 10, nearly 21 years younger than the most seasoned member, Maitozo, who is 31. Both Ioannou and Maitozo, along with their five team members, will represent the U.S. in the team competition at the WEG later this month.

Members of the F.A.M.E. team are:

•Megan Benjamin, 18, from Saratoga, CA;
•Blake Dahlgren, 22, from Sun Valley, CA;
•Elizabeth Ioannou, 10, from Saratoga, CA;
•Devon Maitozo, 31, from Simi Valley, CA;
•Katie Ritchie, 19, from Santa Cruz, CA;
•Rosalind Ross, 16, from Woodside, CA; and
•Annalise VanVranken, 14, from Mays Landing, NJ.

In the Silver division Katharine Wick, 13, from Hillsborough, CA, was named women’s champion. The Woodside Vaulting Club member competed on both Giovanni, owned by the Woodside Vaulting Club, and on Lorino, owned by Julie DaVita. Both horses were longed by Krista Poppenberg.

The Silver men’s champion was Pacific Coast Vaulting Club’s Eric Garcia, 17, from Novato, CA. His equine partners were Bronson and Donatello, both owned by Sydney Frankel, and longed by Jodie Howard.