The U.S. Vaulting Team made a strong impression at the 2025 FEI World Championships for Juniors and Young Vaulters in Austria, competing across five divisions under the leadership of Chef d’Equipe Emma Garrod, Assistant Chef d’Equipe Lisa Zielenske, and Team Leader Michelle McQueen. Over five days of top-level competition, 19 vaulters represented the U.S. with dedication and skill.
Individual Junior Female
Emi Yang (Los Altos Hills, Calif.) delivered a standout performance, placing seventh in the compulsory test with a score of 7.845 and finishing sixth overall with an 8.159 aboard Havhojs Bello Nero, lunged by Johnny Fiskbaek. Teammates Tarah Taylor (Visalia, Calif.) and Hannah Wildermuth (Pottsville, Penn.) also showed strong development in their compulsory rounds.
Young Vaulter Female
Kylynn Ghafouri (Murrieta, Calif.) impressed with a sixth-place finish, earning 8.195 overall after clean performances aboard San Felice Z, lunged by Christina Ender. Naomi Morgenthaler (Menlo Park, Calif.) and Lilly Belinski (Las Vegas, Nev.) delivered solid performances, gaining valuable experience on the international stage.
Pas de Deux
Two U.S. duos showcased creativity and precision. Matilda and Danica Rinard (Fort Lupton, Colo.) performed a lively routine to Footloose aboard Lightning Jack 12, finishing fifth with a 7.268. Miriam Griffiths (Elk Ridge, Utah) and Mikell Stoddard (Eagle Mountain, Utah) brought Alice in Wonderland to life on Dorian, finishing sixth with a score of 7.232.
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Individual Junior Male
Joshua Kinsey (Benton, Penn.), Larry Markegard (Half Moon Bay, Calif.), and Ross Walker (Saratoga Springs, Utah) represented the U.S., with Walker earning a top-ten finish aboard Forte 4, lunged by Benita Julia Golze.
Junior Squad
The highlight for Team USA came from the Oak Hills Squad (Utah), made up of Clancee Christianson, Everlie Durfey, Devyn Glover, Gracie Griffiths, Lizzie Martineau, Mikell Stoddard, Amber Terry, and Ross Walker. After scoring 7.172 in round one, they improved in the second round with an 8.134, finishing fifth overall with a combined score of 7.653.
The team’s performances across the board reflect strong preparation, teamwork, and the promising future of U.S. vaulting on the world stage.
