Equestrian vaulters from Parksville Qualicum are heading to the World Equestrian Games in North Carolina in September.
Jessica Bentzen from Parksville and Alex Ballance from Qualicum Beach will be representing Canada at the games to be held in Tryon, North Carolina from Sept. 11-23. They are members of the West Coast Vaulters, whose athletes hail from British Columbia and Alberta.
Equestrian vaulting is a combination of gymnastics, acrobatics and dance on the back of a moving horse.
It is one of eight equestrian disciplines that include show jumping, dressage and para-equestrian dressage, driving, endurance and reining.
The 26-year-old Bentzen, who is one of the top three individual vaulters in Canada and is one of the founding members of West Coast Vaulters, has been competing for 18 years and has represented Canada at the World Championships in 2016. In North Carolina, Bentzen has qualified to compete in both the individual and team events.
Ballance, 21, is an 11-year veteran of the sport. She has also experienced world championship competition in 2016 as part of the West Coast Vaulters squad and also won a championship title at nationals in 2017. She will be competing in the team events at the World Equestrian Games this September.
The other members of the West Coast Vaulters that will head to North Carolina include Kate Thomas, 20, of Lantzville, Korynn Weber, 20, of Nelson, Alisa Schmidt, 32, of Chilliwack, and Jaydee Fluet, 10, of Sundre, Alta.
Coach Debbie Bentzen said they are excited to be heading at the games, which is expected to draw over 40,000 to 50,000 spectators each day.
However, the team is now trying to raise funds to help pay for the cost to travel to North Carolina.
They will be driving to the venue in the United State and it will include towing their competition horses Kingston, Azreal and Hugo.
The West Coast Vaulters is hosting a Wine and Cheese Demo at Arbutus Meadows from 12 to 3 p.m. on July 28.
The team heading to the World Equestrian Games will be performing their routines. There will also be a silent auction.
Bentzen said this is the only opportunity for anyone to see the whole team in action. Tickets are $30 each and kids under 12 is free.
Also if anyone wishes to donate to the silent auction items you can contact Debbie Bentzen at 250-954-9940 or email westcoastvaulters@gmail.com for tickets.