Texas Spirit of Vaulting

About the event

Date: August 24-25, 2024

Location: Rebelz Cheer 3301 Shell Rd, Unit 501 Georgetown, TX

​

Cost: 2days $200 per vaulter

1 day $125 per vaulter

Coaching Track $50

​

Clinicians: 

Kim Wellman-  Wellmann is the coach at VorTex Vaulters in Stephenville, Texas, which she founded in 2010 after participating in the Friendship Team exhibition at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. Wellmann earned her Ph.D. from Texas Tech University and is now an Assistant Professor of Animal Science at Tarleton State University. She continues to be deeply involved in the sport of vaulting as a coach and trainer. She is a longeur at FEI competitions and attended the 2022 Mustang Corp. FEI Vaulting World Championship as a groom for the U.S. team.

​

KyLynn James- KyLynn's vaulting career began many years ago, spanning over 25 years. As the granddaughter of MaryAnn, the owner of Oak Hills Stables, where Oak Hills Vaulting club resides, KyLynn’s path in the equestrian world seemed destined. She grew up training and riding horses across various disciplines, including dressage, jumping, vaulting, and three-day eventing. Eventually, KyLynn’s passion for vaulting became her primary focus.

KyLynn became the head coach of Oak Hills Vaulting during her late teenage years. Through determination and hard work, she saved enough money to purchase a full set of tack and started with just two horses. Under her guidance, the club expanded from a modest 5-10 vaulters to an impressive 85 at its peak. She has trained numerous vaulting horses that have become cherished members of Oak Hills Vaulting and have also found homes in other clubs nationwide.

In addition to her vaulting accomplishments, KyLynn pursued academic achievements with equal passion. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Education with a Minor in Ballroom Dance, and was an active member of her collegiate ballroom dance team for four years. She furthered her education with a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education Administration and currently serves as an Assistant Principal at an at-risk high school.

KyLynn’s coaching extends to training vaulters for both the Junior and Senior world championships. Since 2019, she has coached three Pas de Deuxs, two Squads, and two Individuals who have competed on the world stage. 

​​

Devon Maitozo: 

Devon has been an active equestrian vaulter for over 40 years since he was first introduced to the sport at 7 years old.  It was the beginning of a lifelong journey leading to an exciting individual competitive career earning him seven world championship medals and many more national titles.  This including an individual gold medal at the 1998 World Equestrian Games in Rome, Italy, and another gold medal 12 years later at the 2010 WEG in Lexington, Kentucky vaulting on his own team as head coach and primary trainer of his horse “Palatine”. With seven world medals and 14 world championships under his belt, Devon is the most decorated  vaulter in USA history and  our country’s most prolific Team USA representatives in equestrian sport.   

 

A California native, Devon recently bought a farm in Abita Springs, Louisiana with his wife Kalyn where they are setting up their own facility they hope to help expand vaulting in the south. He has a University of California degree in theater arts and is the founder of Free Artists Creative Equestrians (F.A.C.E.) that he founded in 2000.  As the head coach Devon has worked to make his program a hub for the sport over the years. When asked why,  he says  “I love elevating others on horseback.  It’s a wonderful way for people to grow and strive towards their potential. This athletic and artistic hybrid sport is something I want to share as much as possible.  It brings me great joy to guide any motivated students of all levels.  I have always enjoyed performance of many forms, but I love nothing better than to express and share that joy in harmony with a horse.” 

 

Devon was USEF’s 2005 winner of the Becky Grand Hart Equestrian of Honor Trophy, is an AVA Hall of Fame inductee, served on the USEF Board of Directors and federation vaulting committees for over 10 years. Devon began training his own horses for competition in the mid 90’s, but in recent years has come to focus more and more on developing as a dressage rider to further develop as a horse trainer in all ways. 

 

Devon’s other passions include photography (especially equestrian), writing, traveling the world for outdoor adventures, and teaching vaulting clinics in the USA and abroad.  More than anything though, he is proud of being a father to his 13 year old son Nico and 10 year old daughter Phoenix. 

​

Celia Maze: We are bringing back a favorite from the last clinic. Celia Maze will be joining us as the Dance Clinician. Celia is a dance teacher at Dance Empower, she has been dancing for 19 years, performing for 9 and teaching for 1. She has been in multiple musical theatre performances including most notably the 2019 Arts for Autism charity performance in New York City. She loves everything music and dance. 

 

​​​

Other topics:

Cen Tex Coaches meeting Saturday

Hair and Makeup

Practice Development

Horse Management

 

Registration closes August 10

​

​