Chilliwack equestrian vaulter Alisa Schmidt has just finished competing at the World Equestrian Games.
The massive event ran Sept. 11-23 in Tryon, North Carolina.
It is held every four years and is the combined world championships for all of the equestrian disciplines recognized by the International Equestrian Federation.
Schmidt qualified to represent Canada in three vaulting events that combine gymnstics and horseback riding in one discipline.
Schmidt competed in two of those events, teaming with Cassie Sponchia in the pas de deux (pairs) event and joining five teammates from Western Canada in the squad event.
In the pas de deux. Schmidt and Sponchia of Delta performed on Duke, a Shire/Warmblood gelding owned by Sponchia and lunged by Ali McKitrick of Abbotsford.
The pas de deux event involves a two minute freestyle performance with both vaulters on the horse at the same time.
The B.C. duo presented two polished routines to finish 11th overall.
In the squad performance, six vaulters worked together to present a four minute freestyle routine with up to three on the horse at the same time.
Schmidt and company placed seventh in the second round of the freestyle competition and were 10th overall in the championships.
This was Schmidt’s fifth opportunity to represent Canada at the World Equestrian Games.
She has competed in every Games since 2002, but it was her first opportunity though to compete in the pas de deux and squad events.
Schmidt is the head coach of Freedom Acrobatics in Chilliwack.
See tryon2018.com for more.
