Testimonials

Dicie Wheaton

“Joining Starlite Vaulters has been life-changing for me. It’s given me something incredibly special: meaningful, quality time with my daughter doing something we both love. But even more than that, it’s given me a second chance at something I thought I’d missed out on forever.

Growing up, I wasn’t able to be physically active because of health challenges. I never imagined I’d be able to do something like vaulting, let alone feel strong, capable, and confident in my body. Starlite has met me where I am, supported me every step of the way, and empowered me to move, to grow, and to push my limits safely.

I never thought, as an adult, I’d be capable of the strength, movement, and endurance I’ve achieved. Vaulting has given me a sense of physical freedom I never thought possible and for that, I’m deeply grateful.”

Kimberlee Knight

“My name is Kimberlee Knight. I have blond hair and freckles. Until last September my life was kept full with horse shows. I have been showing horses since I was nine years old. I compete in Western and English classes. now that I am twelve years old I keep setting new goals for myself. I plan to continue showing horses but now I am adding vaulting. Vaulting makes me a better compeitior at regular horse shows because it improves my balance. When I was very small I took gymnastics for a while but horses won out. now I have found another sport that combines both of them.

One day while I was competing at a horse show Alethea, out team coach, saw me and asked my parents if I might be interested in vaulting. My parents said that I could try if I wanted to. I did and now I schedule vaulting along with cheer, choir, showing horses and going to school.

Last November I went to my first vaulting competition held in Moorepark; California. It was a great experience. I learned what it was like to go as a team. I made many new friends on that trip. I was fortunate in that I did very well and won two firsts on the horse and two seconds on the barrel. This gave me the champion ward* for the walk division. now I am ready to move on to the trot division and more challenge. I think showing horses helped me with vaulting because I know that your don’t win all the time. I have learned to judge my own performance and feel good about it”

Kristina Tarango

“Hi, my name is Kristina Tarango. I am ten years old and live in Fresno. I go to Bullard Talent Elementary. I have two brothers, one big brother that is 13 years old and one little brother who is one year old. I like to do jazz dance, band at school, Taikwondo, camping, swimming and horseback riding. I have been doing vaulting since I was six years old. When I started vaulting I didn’t know what to do and I had never been on a horse before. My coach, Alethea, taught me how to do moves and how to fall off without getting hurt on the barrel first. Then I got to repeat the same moves on the horse and I did it! After that first practice, I decided to keep on doing vaulting as my sport forever. One of the reasons I love vaulting is because I get to be involved with the horses and I love horses. Another reason is that I just love the whole sport of vaulting and all the different things you can do with it.

I would never quit vaulting for any other sport in the whole world. I will overcome all the difficulties that come up and continue to do and be involved with vaulting. I also like it because my mom is always with me and supports me with any problem what I might have”

Jessica Mesple

“I started vaulting because my aunt Jackie saw a bunch of girls out ridng horses. She told my sister, Sara, and I about it. But then Sara quit because she thought it was not for her. And now she is doing band. I really like vaulting. It is the funest thing I have ever done before with horses. I am really glad that I started vaulting and I am glad that all the girls and boys are nice. I think Alethea is the nicest coach ever”

Kelly Achey

“I like vaulting because my friend, Julisa told me about it so my mom decided to let me join. I like vaulting because Alethea is the bomb. Plus I have a lot of friends. I love both of the horses. Their names are Rosie and Natasha. I love Alethea and her family. Our team has a great time together”

Ashlan Wheaton

“I became a Starlite Vaulter because it combines two things I love, dance and horseback riding. Vaulting lets me express myself creatively while working with horses, which is such a unique and fun experience. One of the best parts is that I get to do it alongside my mom. Sharing this journey with her has made it even more special.

I also really enjoy being part of the Starlite team. Everyone is so supportive, and it feels great to be surrounded by people who encourage each other and work hard together. Vaulting has helped me grow stronger, more confident, and more connected to both my teammates and the horses.”

Sophia Fisher

“There was a time that I was in 4-H. I went to a model horse show with the 4-H. It was a splendid time. They had drawings for different things such as, a halter, plates, and vaulting practice. When I saw the picture of people doing gymnastics on horseback, I was like, “wholly cow.” I did not put my ticket in the drawing because I thought it was just for the picture. I was sitting down when a lady said, “Don’t forget to put your tickets in for vaulting.” I said, “Oh my gosh! I can actually try that sport, that would be splendid.” I put two tickets in there. When they drew the ticket my stomach felt like a thousand darts were going into it. I felt like they were taking forever to take it out. When they finally did I heard, Sophia Fisher. I felt like when you find out that you got one million dollars for free. When my mom came into the building I was so excited. When I told my mom everybody was looking at me as if I was crazy, because I was so excited. When it was Monday I told my mom that I could go to vaulting today. My mom did not let me go because it was too rainy. I started crying because I was looking forward to going to vaulting so much that day. My mom said, “Well, may be Friday.” That still did not cheer me up. When I woke up that next morning I was still mad. When I finally got over it, it was already Friday. When it was Friday my mom said that I could go. When I got to where I was going to vault, there was a girl the same age as myself. I asked who she was and if she had been vaulting for awhile. She said that her name was Amber and she had just started Monday. I was relieved that I was not the only one that had just started. When I got to go on the barrel, there were these special moves that you had to learn. The moves were called compulsories. I was totally clue less. I felt like a rodeo clown that was trying to distract the bull from the bull rider. When I got on the horse I felt like a fool. I was at walk when other people were at trot. I was even worse on the horse.

After I had my confidence up, I got to move up to trot. Then before I knew it I was at cantar. I have had a great time with Starlite Vaulters. Vaulting has helped me with my confidence and my riding skills. The coach is great and the people that vault are great too. Amber has now quit. It was sad for me that I lost a good friend on the team. But I have moved on with my life. So now it is your turn to try vaulting. COME AND JOIN US”

Roger Warren

“Hi my name is Roger Warren, I am nine years old and I love to vault. Vaulting is a sport I love to do. Vaulting is on Mondays and Fridays. On certain occasions there are things called competitions. We compete with other kids from different places. But the best thing of all is that I have FUN!”

Julisa Isadore

“I think vaulting is so fun because I have a great team. We are called the Starlite Vaulters. It is so fun because my vaulting coach likes to spend time with us so when we go to competitions we win ribbons. Alethea spends three hours twice a week. I have vaulting every Monday and Friday. We are in parades like the Christmas parade and the Clovis Rodeo parade. Alethea trains us to be great competitors and good sports. In the summer I think vaulting is the best because Alethea lets us swim in her pool after vaulting. I like Alethea’s husband, Paul because after vaulting he will play with us and even sometimes in the summer he will swim with us. Alethea and Paul have a baby boy, Jesse. He loves to be with the vaulters and someday he will be part of the team. Alethea has the nicest family. Alethea has two great vaulting horses named, Rosie and Natasha. She has taught us to take good care of them. So they will trust us and we will trust them.

Thanks to vaulting I am more responsible, confident, and a much better horseman.”

Alyssa Monis

“What I like most about vaulting is the horses, Natasha and Rosie. I have learned so much from vaulting that I am able to do the splits. It scares me a little but it’s also exciting. I am so glad I joined vaulting because it was the right thing for me!”