VALLEY VIEW VAULTERS CELEBRATE 30 YEARS OF VAULTING THIS YEAR
VALLEY VIEW HAS GREAT SUCCESSES , at NATIONALS over the PAST 29 YEARS
Over the years, the Valley View Vaulters have come home many times as Championships in both the Team and Individual Divisions. This includes the AHSA/AVA's 1996 "C" TEAM, the AHSA/AVA's 1998 "B" TEAM Vaulting Champions, the 1998 TROT 2 PHASE Champions, and many Individual Champions & Reserved Champions. At the 2002 AVA Nationals we came home as the TROT TEAM Champions, AVA Men's Individual Trot Champion, AVA Men's Individual Trot Reserve Champion, AVA Women's Individual Trot Reserve Champion. Plus First in Doubles, along with plenty of seconds, thirds and etc. In 2008 Valley View came home from Nationals, held in Watsonville, CA with 3rd in TROT Team and 4th in Canter "C" Team. All of our 15 vaulters came home from Nationals with at least 2 ribbons, and a great feeling of accomplishment. It should be noted that there are no "special classes for "special needs" vaulters and 1/3 of our vaulters have "special needs" of some kind. Congratulations Vaulters! In 2009 VVV brought home 6th place in Copper, 2nd and 3rd in Bronze. We are looking forward to Nations in 2010 in Santa Barbara's, Earl Warren Fairgrounds
Special Awards and Activities
• In September of 2002, Rick and Virginia Hawthorne, co-founders of the Valley View Vaulters received the "Honorary Silver Horseshoe" Award from the Valley Horse Owner's Association (AHOA) for Community Service and for the dedication to the sport of vaulting.
• Rick Hawthorne has received the American Vaulting Association's (AVA) 2002 "Mentor of the Year" Award.
• The Valley View Vaulters received the American Vaulting Association's 1989 & 1996 "TEAM EXCELLENCE AWARD".
• During the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors meetings in five different years, Supervisor Mike Antonovitch, and all the Board of Supervisors presented a Commemorative Scroll to each of our competitive team vaulters, due to their wonderful successes at the 1989, 1990, 1993, 1994 and 1996 National AHSA/AVA Vaulting Competition. And in 1995 we received a commendation for 15 years of community service.
• For the past 15 years, the Valley View Vaulters have earned the "Team High Point" Award in local AVA Region I Competitions.
• Over the years we have been seen on TV and had many articles written about us in magazines and newspapers.
• We are very pleased to state that Morgan St.James and Linda Benedict have both written about Valley View Vaulters in books. Morgan has us in the "Chicken Soup" series. And Linda has is in one of her books "Longeing for the Perfect Seat".
• We are also honored to have 2 videos made about the Valley View Vaulters. The first one was with Patrick McNee, which has been shown around the world.
• And the second one was filmed by KCET during a Valley View Vaulter practice. Our Vaulters were so happy to be able to show off their talents. It's most enjoyable for all to watch and it also has been shown everywhere.
• We have had the honor of demonstrating our sport at the 1984 Olympics at Santa Anita in Southern California and the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia; annually at the Special Olympics; at Cota de Cosa for the Pan American Equestrian Trials, The '95 Volvo World Dressage Cup at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center,The Renaissance Faire for eight years, at Will Rogers State Park, yearly at the La Canada-Flintridge Memorial Day parade, at the VA's Veterans Day Parade, Rodeos and Horse Shows, plus parades in nearby cities for the 4th of July, Christmas, etc. We also travel to convalescent homes, schools and special groups.