The New Year 2009 is here!

It seems like "for ever" since Xmas as so much has happened, Farm Club, Annual Camp, Trekking, Riding schools, covered arena finished(well almost)! and all the other riding activities underway again. The weather has been kind and all enjoyed the Xmas break, plenty of swimming and surfing. Catarina our club coach and manager had her Father and Sister out from Sweden for Xmas adding to her enjoyment and later this month Ruth's Mum arrives from Switzerland to spend time finding out exactly what it is that her daughter does so far from home!!!

FARM CLUB:

Ruth has once again taken this project under her wing and has been ably assisted by Nora Salberg from Germany and Brooke Dunstan one of our senior vaulters. Nora an experienced German vaulter has spent the last few months in NZ touring and helping at the club. During this time Nora has assisted Ruth, Catarina and lyn in all aspects of the clubs activities.

Pics below show just some of the activities enjoyed by some of our Farm club members.

(DON'T FORGET YOU CAN CLICK ON PICS TO VIEW ENLARGEMENTS.)

Club Camp 2009

 This year our annual camp was held at the "Wellesley Country Park" in the Akatarawa's and for those of you that are unfamiliar with where that is or even how to pronounce the name: it's on the road from Waikanae to Upper Hutt at the bottom of the North Island on one of the worst roads in NZ but one of the most interesting. As you traverse the ranges between the two settlements you drive over very narrow & windy roads but the one redeeming feature is that you also drive through some very beautiful native forests and get some great views back over the Kapiti sea coast (but you have to stop to view). Isolated it is, but a wonderful facility for such a camp as we have had. NO CELL PHONE COVERAGE!!!! YES! YES! YES! A number of interesting activities were on offer at the camp which all club members took advantage of during their free time.  

 However the emphasis was on vaulting training and all the exercises nescessary to acheive the highest standards. Nora spent a huge amount of time organising and arranging the programme and Catarina, Ruth and lyn the logistics.To this end and in addition to our own coaches we had the services of a number of experts in various sporting disciplines which we felt might enhance our vaulters skills. Debra Pope well know acrobatic coach, Rowan (excuse me if the name is mispelt Rowan)  and Mason who are currently acrobatic performers who gave their time whilst preparing for performances in Christchurch, Alice Capper-Starr from Enterprise Ltd  ran two workshops on personal movement and style. Their combined contributions were of immense value and all vaulters gained a lot from having this wonderful opportunity to gain an insight into what it takes to be a true professional.

Rowan & Mason demonstrate their skills     Debra also demonstrates skills              Alice shows a foot placement exercise

 It was our clubs pleasure to have 7 members of the Sonshine Ranch and Outdoor Centre in Auckland who have established a very competent vaulting group and a newly established group from Napier under the guidance of Gisela Ahlborn join us at camp. The improvement in technique at all levels was great to see and all agreed that with the Auckland group improving at the rate they are we can look forward to real competition between the clubs in the very near future.

 AND then there were those !!!!! 

There were those that enjoyed the food!  Some were so hungry they'd try anything!  .....and those with a real thirst !!!!

There were those who seemed to be suffering from some sort of acute pain!!!                          and Hans who cleaned up!

There were Parents who tried to escape               Vaulters to sore to sit !                Those waiting for the wind for liftoff!

It was hard getting some to go home!!!!!!   Hans,Cat,Ruth & Gisela took charge!         and  finally got homeward action!

 A great camp, excellent results. A huge debt of gratitude to all those parents and friends who pitched in and helped make it such a success. Catarina, Ruth, Lyn and Nora as always put in a huge effort and it's this effort that makes our club so much fun. Finally to all the vaulters, you did exceptionally well, you were a credit to yourselves and most importantly to your families, we hope you really enjoyed the experience.