PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 103 On a recent day, the wispy, white clouds don’t threaten a downpour, so Krista heads out to the arena to warm up Salazar, Hanna’s equestrian partner for the day. After Hanna dismounts, she takes the reins of the conversation, steering the topic to the sense of family she’s found in the vaulting community. “I used to do gymnastics and it always felt like there were the little kids and there were the older kids,” she reflects. Vaulters not only engage with other age groups, they also raise each other up. “I really enjoy now being one of those ‘big kids’ who gets to coach the little kids,” Hanna smiles. “As I was competVAULTING THROUGH THE AGES Vaulting dates back to ancient Roman times and also has ties to bull-leaping in ancient Crete, but the sport reached the United States much more recently. After watching vaulters in Germany in the 1950s, Elizabeth Searle introduced it to her pony club in Santa Cruz County. Northern California has been a hub for the sport ever since. Equestrian vaulting will make its debut at the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane, Australia. ing last year, all my little kids would come in and watch me compete. They get to cheerlead, and they get to experience what it might be like in a few years.” A close-knit community is imperative for vaulters, especially those who pair up to compete pas de deux or with a team of six (sharing a horse in rotating groups of three). “I have always been a team or pas de deux vaulter. I love working with other people,” shares Hanna. “I love the creativity that it takes to move in a space together.” PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF WOODSIDE VAULTERS OPPOSITE PAGE: (top) Krista warms up Salazar before Hanna’s practice session; (below, left) Hanna practices on the “movie.” ABOVE: (left) Hanna performs with her partner Aria; (right) a young Hanna strikes a pose on the barrel and on horseback.
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