Session-by-Session Descriptions
FINAL SCHEDULE!
February 28-March 2, 2008

Note: Everyone is welcome to attend any and all committee sessions. The Judges Training is for current judges only. "For Vaulters Only" sessions are for active vaulters only. "For Coaches Only" sessions are for active coaches only. "For Parents Only" sessions are for those who are parents, want to be parents, or want to hang around with their parents.

THURSDAY

Executive Board Meeting: 8-9 am
Chaired by AVA President Nancy Stevens-Brown
Required meeting for all AVA Executive Board members.

Therapeutic Vaulting Meeting: 9-11 am
Chaired by Rick and Virginia Hawthorne

Five-Year Strategic Plan Sub-Committee Meeting: 9-noon
Chaired by Strategic Plan Sub-Committee Chair Bob Weber

Grants Committee Meeting: 10-11:30 am
Chaired by AVA Treasurer and Grant Committee Chair Jan Garrod

Competitions Meeting (including Nationals Meeting): 1-3:30 pm
Chaired by VP Competitions Linda Bibbler

USEF Vaulting High Performance Meeting (Open Forum) 3:30-4:30 pm
Chaired by USEF Vaulting High Performance Committee Chair Linda Bibbler
Everyone is invited to hear about USEF's plans for the upcoming year. Bring your questions and comments.

Membership Committee Meeting: 4:30-5 pm
Chaired by VP Membership Sheri Benjamin

Vaulting World Volunteers Brainstorming/Meeting 5-5:30 pm
Chaired by Vaulting World Editor Marianne Rose
Are you an aspiring, current or former writer, photographer or organizer who can volunteer for some Vaulting World projects? Or do you just want to know how to send the editor your "very best stuff" for Vaulting World? If you're any of the above, you're welcome to join in our VW volunteers brainstorming session and meeting.

AVA Website Volunteers Brainstorming/Meeting: 5:30-6 pm
Chaired by VP Membership Sheri Benjamin
If you're interested in "web stuff"-either from the content side or from the administration and design side, and would like to volunteer to help with the AVA website, please join us in brainstorming new frontiers for the AVA public and members-only websites!

Education and Horse Committee Joint Meeting: 5:30-7 pm
Chaired by VP Education Wendy Ware, Horse Committee Chair Yossi Martonovich
Focus on what you would like to see happening in your region to educate vaulters, coaches, horse trainers and the public.

Is Your Vaulting Club a Business? Should It Be? 7-8:30 pm
Chaired by Jane Rohde*
Invest an hour to learn why good business makes for better vaulters, a more successful club, and a growing sport. Each attendee will receive a workbook for developing business policies specifically for a vaulting team. In this hour you will learn to develop effective business policies for your vaulting team that will help you get things done, deal comfortably with the pressure from parents and vaulters, run practice even more productively, create positive team relationships, and manage team business in less time with greater profit.

* Jane's Credentials: Jane has been active in all things horses since she was a youngster. At one point an avid dressage and eventing competitor, she has more recently been teaching and training. Jane is Certified by the British Horse Society and widely experienced in barn management. She has extensive experience in business accounting and project management. She is currently part owner and financial manager of Windrose Software, a high tech consulting firm. Jane brings a unique business perspective to the management of a vaulting club.

Judges Training 7-9 pm
With AVA and FEI Judge and Technical Committee Chair Suzanne Detol
JUDGES ONLY. Topics are: Protocol, Responsibilities of the Chief Judge and Compulsories, Judging Code.

FRIDAY

Thru the Eyes of the Judges For Coaches Only: 8-9:30 am
With AVA Judges Suzanne Detol and Craig Coburn
If you want to know more about what a judge sees and how he or she scores your vaulters and why, you'll want to attend this special session for coaches only, featuring competition video with live judges' commentary.

60 Tips in 60 Minutes--Marketing Your Vaulting Club: 9:30-10:30 am
With AVA VP Membership Sheri Benjamin
Ever wonder why some clubs get bigger and others stagnate? One key reason is club marketing! Come to this fast moving session to learn about 60 ways to market your club, no matter how big or how small!

Introducing the Long Term Athletes Development Program: 10:30 am -12:30 pm
With Canadian Men's Vaulter (and B.C. Horse Council Equestrian Coach of the Year) Colin Schmidt
Colin will discuss how to tie all the coach's responsibilities into a tight package called the athlete development cycle, and discuss the concept of critical timing, which enables many skills to be trained in parallel. This program is currently being used to train all athletes throughout Canada with vaulting possibly being used as the basic training tool for all equestrian sports. If you are a coach, or just an interested vaulter or parent, this is a must-attend session!

Executive Director Subcommittee Meeting: 12:30-2 pm (no host lunch)

Region Meetings: 12:30-2 pm (no host lunch)
Each Chaired by the Region's own Regional Supervisor
Each region will be meeting during lunch time. Look for a posting for the location of your region's meeting.

Everything You Wanted to Know About Vaulting-Related Insurance, But Were Afraid to Ask!: 2-3 pm
With AVA Executive Vice President Kelley Holly
Help us help you demystify all your vaulting related insurance issues! What types of insurance are available? How do you get the best price? What are your choices for carriers? The answers to all these questions, and more!

Technical Committee Meeting: 2-3:30 pm
Chaired by Technical Committee Chair Sue Detol

Constitution and Bylaws Committee Meeting: 3:30-5 pm
Chaired by Technical Committee Chair Sue Detol

Music Session I: Selecting Freestyle Music 3-4 pm
With Colin Schmidt
Colin Schmidt discusses all aspects of vaulting music in this four-part series, starting with selecting appropriate pieces of music for freestyle performances. In this first session he specifically discusses how to find music on the internet and download it. These sessions "build" on each other, so if you plan to attend some of the later sessions (II, III and IV) you should plan to attend them in sequential order.

Music Session II: Introduction to Editing 4-5 pm
With Colin Schmidt
In this second session, Colin introduces attendees to the process of editing, choosing selections, building excitement, and piecing it all together. These sessions "build" on each other, so if you plan to attend this session, please plan to attend Music Session I first.

Regional Supervisors Meeting (offsite): 7-9 pm
Chaired by VP Membership Sheri Benjamin

SATURDAY

AVA Board Meeting: 8 am-12:30 pm
Chaired by AVA President Nancy Stevens-Brown
Required meeting for all AVA Board members. All AVA members are welcome to attend to watch how the Board makes decisions and moves the organization forward.

Thru the Eyes of the Judges FVO (For Vaulters Only) 8-10 am
With Emma Seely, AVA Judge and USEF Coach of the Year
What's in a score? In this Thru the Eyes of the Judges, For Vaulters Only, AVA judge Emma Seely will go thru routines on video, and explain what goes into each score.

Music Session III: Using GoldWave Editing Software 10-11 am
With Colin Schmidt
In this session Colin introduces attendees to the GoldWave editing software. Find out how you can compose your own unique freestyle music. These sessions "build" on each other, so if you plan to attend this session, please plan to attend Music Session I and II (Friday) first.

Music Session IV: Making Cuts/Putting Together the Final Product 11-noon
With Colin Schmidt
In this final session Colin will give attendees a quick overview and let you practice how to create/edit your own dynamic freestyle music. These sessions "build" on each other, so if you plan to attend this session, please plan to attend Music Session I, II and III first.

2007 National Champions Luncheon (by invitation only): 11:30-1 pm
Hosted by Reigning Women's World Vaulting Champion Megan Benjamin

How to be a Great Vaulting Parent 1-2 pm
Panel Session
Want to be a great support for your vaulter, yet avoid getting "in the way" (and those dreaded rolling of the eyes by either your vaulter or his/her coach)? Find out the Top Ten Tips to Becoming an Ideal Vaulting Parent.

Coaches Meeting 1-2:30 pm
With Coaches' Committee Chair Connie Geisler
This meeting will focus on setting up mentoring between clubs, coaches and longeurs with a buddy system pairing those needing help and those willing to give it-whether via email, phone or in person.

Visualizing Success: Competition Preparation FVO (For Vaulters Only) 1-2:30 pm
With Performance Coach and frequent USEF Clinician Katie Peuvrelle
You spend untold hours preparing for the physical side of vaulting, how about the mental side? How do you create a motivational internal dialogue with yourself? How can you visually rehearse for optimal performance? In this interactive session, former competitive figure skater Katie Peuvrelle turns her love of self-hypnosis --"going inside"-into a unique workshop for all vaulters, no matter what level. The founder of a private performance consulting practice for elite athletes, Katie works with her clients to help them perform at their peak.

Thru the Eyes of the Judges for Parents Only: 2-3 pm
With AVA Judge Craig Coburn
Ever watched your vaulter compete in a class and wonder whether you should tell your vaulter "good job honey" or just make yourself scarce for a while? Now you can tell! In this Thru the Eyes of the Judges especially for parents, AVA Judge Craig Coburn will show you, thru competition video, the basics of how routines are scored, and why.

An Introduction to AVA CompWeb: 2:30-3:45 pm
With CompWeb Creator Tom Oakes
This session, especially for fest managers or people who are interested in being fest managers and those who would like to help in the office at fests, will teach attendees the AVA's CompWeb competition registration and scoring system. CompWeb creator Tom Oakes will answer all your questions and give you some hands-on support! (Tom is also available throughout the conference for 1:1 sessions. Please check with him to set up a time.)

Spectacular Spandex--Successful Uniform Design: 3-4 pm
Panel
Hear vaulting uniform makers and designers talk about what makes for a great vaulting uniform, and what constitutes a nightmare in the making!

Regional Boundaries Meeting: 4-5 pm
Chaired by VP Membership Sheri Benjamin

Alumni Meeting and Get-Together 5-6:15 pm
(In the fireplace foyer to the right of hotel registration. No host bar.)
With Alumni Chair Patti Reschar
Join AVA Alumni Chair Patti Reschar, the Circle of Friends, and all our other vaulting alumni in the fireplace lobby to renew friendships and hear what's going on with the alumni group.

AVA Annual Recognition Banquet and Extravaganza 6:15-9 pm
Join us for our most important recognition ceremony of the year, recognizing 2007 National Champions, 2007 National High Point Champions, 2007 Zone Champions, Mentor of the Year, Trainer of the Year, and Horse of the Year. This will be an important evening chock full of fast-paced fun and some special surprises!

SUNDAY

Training the Vaulting Horse 8-10 am
With Horse Committee Chair Yossi Martonovich
Come join us bring and early for what promises to be a wonderful and informative discussion panel, featuring some of vaulting's most experienced trainers and longeurs, on training the vaulting horse. With the help of videos, they will discuss important and practical issues regarding the training of our vaulting partners, and answer questions from the audience as well. This is well worth getting up bright and early!

Athletes Council Meeting: For Vaulters Only! 8:30-9:15 am
Chaired by AVA Athletes Council Co-Chairs Jessica Ballenger and Megan Benjamin
Rise and shine vaulters of America! This fun event is worth getting up bright and early on a Sunday morning (c'mon, you can always sleep LATER!). In the first hour, Jessica and Megan will help the vaulters get to know each other better and brainstorm on the bright future of vaulting! The time to help build our sport is NOW! (A light breakfast will be served.)

Vaulting Rules Jeopardy Game For Vaulters Only 9:15-10:15 am
Chaired by AVA and FEI Judge (and Technical Committee Chair) Suzanne Detol
Are you the competitive type? Think you know the AVA rules inside and out? See what you really know at this fun Vaulting Rules Jeopardy Game. Play along and see how well you know the rules as Sue gives you the answer, and you have to guess the question, just like the regular Jeopardy game. After each question, Sue will also explain each rule and what it may mean to you if you're a competitive vaulter. Be as competitive or chill as you want, but this is a must see for all vaulters who think they know the rules!

Artistry in Performance: Connecting with Your Audience For Vaulters Only 10:30-11:30 pm
With Performance Coach and frequent USEF Clinician Katie Peuvrelle
In this interactive hour with performance coach Katie Peuvrelle, you'll learn how to perform (not just vault) your way to success! Katie uses her experiences as a former competitive ice skater and as a Master Neuro Linguistics Programming (NLP) Coach to help vaulters set their own strategies for performance success! Put the perform in your next performance-whether it's at a competition, a demo or even at your next practice!

AVA Annual Meeting of Members 10 am-12:30 pm
Chaired by AVA President Nancy Stevens-Brown
Please join other AVA members for our most important business meeting of the year. Hear what rules will be changed over the following year, what new things are in store for the association, and much, much more! USEF representatives will also be on hand to tell us about USEF happenings and progress toward the World Equestrian Games 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky.

Lunch Break: 12:30-1:30 pm

Improving Vaulting in a Snap-- Digital Photography as Coach's Assistant 1:30-3:30 pm
(IMPORTANT: This session is at the gym at Hyde Middle School. See map.)
With AVA President, National Clinician and Digital Photographer Nancy Stevens-Brown
AVA President and digital photographer extraordinaire Nancy Stevens-Brown brings her keen eye as a photographer and champion-producing coach to this important and impactful workshop. Get a front row live view of how this new technology can improve your vaulters' performance and technique---in a snap!

Special Vaulting Clinics: Saturday and Sunday

Vaulter Clinics with Reigning World Champion Megan Benjamin: Friday (at Garrod Farms) and Saturday (at Hyde Middle School) afternoons only: $65/hour for private coaching, $45/person in two-person clinics.

Vaulter Clinics with well known clinician Samantha Smith: Saturday and Sunday (at Hyde Middle School). Work with renowned clinician Sam Smith on floor and barrel drills, exercises for compulsories, flight and mount on the barrel and floor, and compulsory presentation. $20 per 1 hour session (maximum of six vaulters per session). These slots always sell out quickly so register early!

Register now!