JUNIOR SQUAD 2021

SILVER MEDALISTS - RESERVE WORLD CHAMPIONS AT 2021 FEI JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, LE MANS, FRANCE

Our talented hard working group of Junior Squad vaulters brought home the silver medal from Le Mans, France, after a month of training and competing in Sweden, Germany and France Summer 2021.

EMMA MILITO

Emma is a returning member from the 2019 Bronze Medal squad for Team USA. Emma has been a member on squads for many years, including on the following National Championship squads: 2019 A Team, 2018 B Team, 2016 B Team, as well as vaulting Senior squad in 2018 and has extensive pas-de-deux experience.

MELANIE FORD

Melanie is most veteran member of our junior squad, having competed in 2015, 2017, and 2019 on Junior Squad, being a member of the bronze medal winning Junior Worlds squad from Team U.S.A. She was also a member of the National Championship 2015 B Team, 2016 B Team, and 2018 B Team.

AUGUSTA ROSE LEWIS

Augusta Rose loves squad! She was the main alternate on the 2019 Team U.S.A. bronze medal winning Junior Squad at Junior Worlds. Augusta Rose was also a member of the National Championship squads including 2018 B Team, 2016 C Team, and National year end high point 2015 Trot Team.

RHIANON HAMPTON

Rhianon has been a flyer and vaulting on squad since she was first vaulting on Trot team. She was the primary flyer on the Rocky Mountain High Performance Team 2017 Junior Squad. In 2019 she was one of the members of the bronze medal winning Junior Squad at Junior Worlds. Rhianon vaults with Ascent.

GIANA MASSARO

Giana joins our squad with her extensive experience with pas de deux. She and her sister have won National Championships in pas de deux and she is also a strong Junior 2* vaulter. She currently lives in California, and flys out regularly to train with the squad in Colorado and Florida when COVID restrictions allow.

BRYLEIGH THORNTON

Bryleigh is our flyer extraordinaire! She was the 2019 Trot National Champion, was a member of the 2019 National Champion trot team, and won Copper in the 2020 National Virtual Vaulting competition. She is having a blast learning new flying techniques from our veteran bases. Bryleigh lives in Colorado and competes as part of Tall City Vaulters.

LILLY BELINSKI

Lilly is our super talented alternate who vaults with the same group who produces Gladius, an equestrian theatrical production based in Las Vegas, Nevada. She has been a 1* Junior Champion at Heart of the Rockies at her first CVI, and was Top 5 in Bronze in the nation in 2019. She vaults with Golden Gate Vaulters and Nicole Czyzewski.

MANNY VALDEZ

Manny is one of our alternates who vaulted on the squad in its first appearance in 2020 at Octoberfest, helping bring the squad to a successful freestyle. He is another exceptional pas de deux vaulter, taking reserve champion at Pacific Cup in Junior 2* pas de deux. Manny was also the National High Point bronze in 2018.

NICOLETTE MASITTI

Nico is both a great alternate and is also a super supportive team member. She competed on the 2019 National Champion C Team. Nico vaults with Tall City Vaulters and lives locally in Colorado.

COACHING STAFF

Our coaches for the Junior Squad included Christoph Lensing and Mary McCormick. The Horse trainer for their domestic horse was Angelika Buetel. Mary Garrett provided additional support for athlete physical and mental well being. Kristina Boe coached the team while in Flyinge Sweden for the Flyinge CVI.

Ascent Junior Squad Practice (Photos by Tim Sutherland)