HERNING, Denmark--The U.S. Vaulting Team began competition at the FEI World Championships , starting the day as the second team to present a squad for the Compulsory Tests.
USA Vaulting Team (Photo by Allen MacMillan)The team also saw all five individuals compete as well, with Kimmy Palmer, finishing as the highest placed U.S. athlete at the conclusion of day one.
In the Squad Compulsory, the Oak Hills Squad representing the U.S., finished in sixth place overall out of 14 teams, earning a 6.568 from the panel of judges.
The team vaulted on Drillian and was led by Todd Griffiths of Elk Ridge, Utah, as the senior athlete on the squad, alongside his youngest daughter Miriam Griffiths, also of Elk Ridge, Utah, Calle Davis of Spanish Fork, Utah, Paula Hampshire of Kaysville, Utah, Jaynee Meyer of Salem, Utah, and Alyssa Stoddard of Eagle Mountain, Utah.
THE SQUAD, who have really just started working together over the past two years after a club merger, were pleased with their performance on the first day of competition and felt confident with their horse and lunger, Selena Brummund of Germany, right from the start of their training together.
"This was one of our best sets of the entire season, so we can be really proud of what we did out there. Everyone had one of their best efforts and it just felt fantastic," said Todd Griffiths.
In the Individual Female Compulsory Test, Kimberly Palmer of Half Moon Bay, Calif., and Rosenstolz 99, lunged by Laura Carnabuci of Italy, impressed in their first appearance before the judges, receiving a 7.929, and placing them 10th, as the highest U.S. combination in the World Vaulting Female Championship at the conclusion of the first day.
Tessa Divita of Portola Valley, Calif., and Sunday Song, lunged by Lasse Kristensen, earned a 7.839 for12th, while Emily Rose of Santa Cruz, Calif., and Eldoctro, lunged by Carolyn Bland, finished 17th, after receiving a 7.570.
"Being in that arena really gives you strength because it's kind of small and the lights and the people. It's really empowering," said Palmer. "This is my fifth competition with him and we get along really well and I try to be near him often so we have a good relationship. I really hope to score and place the highest I ever have and hopefully medal."
Both Daniel Janes of Moss Beach, Calif., and Jace Brooks of Eagle Mountain, Uta) also completed their first day of competition in the Individual Male Compulsory Test.
Janes was the first of the two to compete, earning a 7.380 with Christmas PS Z, lunged by Nienke de Wolff and finished 17th, while Brooks vaulted on Dwight, lunged by Maurits de Vries, earned a 7.027, his best compulsory score in championship competition to sit 18th.
Competition will continue tomorrow with the Individual Female Technical Test, Individual Male Technical Test, and Pas-de-Deux Free Test.
