Aug 27, 2006

World Equestrian Games Notes from Charlene Strickland

USA Megan Benjamin Wins Individual Vaulting Gold!

“Don't jinx me,” said U.S. vaulter Megan Benjamin on Saturday, being congratulated for winning 3 of 4 vaulting tests in women's individual. Vaulters are superstitious about any predictions, and at WEG she was on a winning streak that could disappear with a single misstep. Her feet carried her through a fourth winning test, the freestyle on Sunday. She “stuck” on the horse in stands, and leapt gracefully from ground to horse and back.

In every test in the two rounds, she was just about perfect to win every one of her tests. No other individual vaulter from the U.S. has shown the world such consistency in any World Championship. Benjamin is the first U.S. woman, and also the first non-German woman, to claim the gold. Kerith Lemon came close with silver medals, and was on hand to cheer on the U.S. Team.

“Nicola Stroh is my idol,” said Benjamin about the famous German vaulter. “I like her style a lot.” At this WEG, Benjamin scored higher than Stroh. And a lot of younger vaulters—who packed the arena in a crowd of 7000—now idolize Benjamin and are going to copy her elegant yet agile style of vaulting. Benjamin also vaulted on the U.S. Team (F.A.M.E.), helping boost them into the silver medal. “I've been spending all my time training with the team,” she said. The U.S. has won bronze medals in previous World Championships, but this WEG was their first silver.

Along with her individual medal, Benjamin takes home prize money from the bank Sparkasse and a Rolex watch, awarded to each gold medal winner. Horse TV also interviewed our medalists for later broadcast. Such honors prove vaulting's prominence in equestrian sport, and ensure respect among equestrian athletes.