McAULEY College student Amelie Taylor has two great loves.
The first is her passion for gymnastics which she took up when only five years-old in Toowoomba and her second is horse riding.
Finding a way to combine both has led her to take up the sport of Equestrian Vaulting.
As a Queensland gymnastic champion she was in a perfect place to excel in the dynamic discipline which combines the grace and beauty of horse riding with the athleticism and artistry of gymnastics.
Amelie started Equestrian Vaulting in 2020 after she attended a come-and-try day hosted by the Fassifern Vaulting Club.
Last year she travelled to Sydney for the nationals of the sport and was named the Australian Under 16’s Novice Vaulter.
She followed that up at the recent Queensland titles where she won the Intermediate Class trophy.
It places her in a great position to excel in the 2024 Nationals which this year will be held locally at Teviot Park in September.
Amelie said she is now looking to qualify for the World Junior vaulting championships in 2027.
“To start that journey I will be travelling to Sydney next year to compete in a World CVI tournament where I hope to get my first qualifying points,” she said.
In preparing for that she is off to Germany in October with three other girls from the Scenic Rim as part of a month long vaulting exchange program.
The program will see her train with leading vaulting coaches as well as watch major vaulting competitions.
“Our German hosts will then be invited to come here to see how we train and compete,” Amelie said.
“The transition from an indoor gymnast to performing on a horse wasn’t an easy one and I had a number of tumbles early on, fortunately we compete on a sand base.
“I am fortunate that I train with a supportive team with great coaches and I have the opportunity to work with incredible horses.”
