Regional Board

REPORT OF REGION IX

Submitted by Kim V Beisecker

Regional Supervisor 1/2022 - 12/2023

Dec 30, 2023

Equestrian Vaulting Region IX remains a strong organization supporting vaulting on the East Coast.  As I complete my term as Regional Supervisor,  I would like to recognize the wonderful group of dedicated volunteers and teams who comprise our vaulting community.  My goal in assuming this role was to pass this position to a strong and enthusiastic individual and I am pleased that Heather Berger will now provide the leadership to continue to move us forward as a  responsive and vibrant organization.

My vision was to increase the communication between the Regional Supervisor and every team, both in developing our regional programs and communicating the goals and decisions of the National Board.  Our website has been further developed and maintained to offer a resource to all in our region.  EVUSA Board and Region IX Board meetings are now included in our calendar and summaries of these meetings are found on our website.  Coaches and members receive information via email and Facebook postings regarding agenda items under consideration by both Boards.  Meetings of the Coaches are now held at least 3 times per year with a concentration on ensuring that all teams have all of the information regarding Regional Championships to create an enjoyable event for everyone and to offer important input in the running of this region.  Annual meetings of the membership were held in Dec 2022 and July 2023 and members engaged in important discussions.

In  November 2022, the Regional Board was elected for a two year term:  Vice President: Lisa Zielenske (also sits on EVUSA Board), Asst Regional Supervisor: Heather Berger, Secretary: Kim Sturgeon, Treasurer: Barb Smith, Northern Rep: Cynthia Andrews, Southern Rep: Andrea Selch (also sits on EVUSA Board),  Central Rep: Danielle Evans.  Thank you for all of the time and effort these volunteers offer to this Region.

The Region IX Certified Clerk program was expanded to include all of the Regions, supported by Kayt Shaffer (apprentice judge) and Irena Shaffer. 

In both 2022 and 2023, the Regional Board contributed to the EVUSA Fundraising efforts.  In return many of our vaulters and teams have received grants to enable their participation in important clinics and competitions. The 2022 EVUSA Grant was combined with all EVUSA regions to produce a series of videos for training the compulsories- available on the EVUSA website.  A Regional Grant from the EVUSA Fundraising efforts funded the selection of three clinics in 2023 through our Regional Competition Fee Grant program.

Region IX collects a per vaulter fee at all competitions held within the Region.  The collection of this fee was suspended during the COVID pandemic/recovery but reinstituted in 2023.  The Regional Board developed a Regional Fee Grant program to distribute the money collected with the following objectives: to increase and strengthen the number of new and expanding teams through educational opportunities targeted at developing vaulting, longing, horse, and coaching skills and to increase the number and geographic diversity of educational opportunities to educate the potential vaulters regarding the benefits of participation in equestrian vaulting with the purpose of increasing the number of vaulters in our Region.  Three clinics were selected:  Tennessee, Florida, and New York.

In 2022, we held 3 Zoom trainings open to coaches and other interested members which included discussion on Score Sheets, Horses, and Content with EVUSA judges.  These were recorded and can be found on our website.

REGION IX CHAMPIONSHIPS  has been important in keeping our Region strong.  We have been able to keep this event as an economical opportunity to showcase our vaulters, share our knowledge, and have fun!  We have strived to keep the costs as low as possible and to grow the event in a way that is attractive to families. We have continued the tradition of Region IX cup where the creativity and teamwork of our teams are showcased!  A Regional Championships committee was formed and  has taken a very important role in planning and implementing this event!  Our rings were beautifully decorated by Jill Ekis!  It is through the hard work and dedication of our volunteers that the Region IX Championships are a great success!

There were many challenges to the 2023 Regional Championships,  weeks of thick smoke covered the fields of many of our teams making practice impossible.  An outbreak of EHV1 at the facility a week before our event, forced enhancement in our bio-security procedures.  Teams worked together to keep a safe schedule when smoke covered the facility the days prior to our event.  Jen Williams offered her services to ensure that the challenges of an aging competition management system did not interfere with the scoring experiences of competitors.  Michele Golobic-Moore served as Volunteer Coordinator.  Volunteers offered a lunch for all participants, a Gallery featuring our horses, a Tack Sale, short clinics, fun crafts, a Celebration of Vaulting, awards for our competitors, team stalls, and a wonderful competition opportunity at all levels.

Regional Championship Summary:

                                                                         2022                                                         2023                       

# of vaulters 119 125

# of longers 19 31

# of horses 36 35

Profit/loss of event ($1800) $3770

We developed a Council of Teams as a leadership program for our vaulters.  This group met over Zoom and offered important input to our Championships and the Region.  This program is at its early stages and will take the dedication of volunteers to continue to develop.

We are a strong Region because of all that our teams offer!  At the end of 2023, our Region had 33 registered teams.  15 competitions (including one CVI) in 2023 and 13 (including one CVI) competitions in 2022 offered opportunities to vaulters of all levels! A variety of clinics were held across the Region to help educate our vaulters, longers, and coaches.  We have new groups who are now offering vaulting at the recreational level and within other equestrian programs.

Members of our Region garnered awards and experience at Regional, National, and International levels of competition!  Congratulations to  Hannah Wildermuth who finished 15th at the 2023 FEI Junior World Championships and Hariet Bartell who was PDD alternate.  Congratulations to Region IX vaulters who qualified and traveled to California to participate in 2023 Nationals! Bronze-  Sierra Tobin, Lucy St Cressman, and Tallulah McDevitt;  Copper- Avery Walsh, Kierra Walsh, Isla St Cressman; Trot- Skylar Moore.  Congratulations to all who did their personal bests- whether in your first competition or at a higher level and to all of the coaches, longers, and parents who support these efforts!

Thank you to all who have worked tirelessly to train and care for our equestrian partners-  our Regional horses!

Congratulations to Lizzie Phelps who is serving as President of the EVUSA Youth Ambassadors.

The Region IX leadership is here to support you in what you need and you want, to ensure that we have the best vaulting experience for everyone!  

Looking forward to 2024-

Regional Championships 2004 will be June 21 - 23 at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA.  

EVUSA Nationals will be held in Tryon, NC  August 9 - 11th.

In addition to Heather, the following Region IX members will sit on the 2024 EVUSA Board:  Andrea Selch, Kim Beisecker, Lisa Zielenske, and Anna Brooks Thomas (also a Director at USEF).

Region IX Board elections will be held in Fall, 2024.  Please consider joining this Regional Board to ensure that we have input from across our vaulting community.

Looking forward to a great vaulting year in  2024!

Kim