Schools
Whiz Kid: Rebecca Herrera is a Hit on Horseback
Rebecca Herrera excels at the unique sport of vaulting!
- Whiz Kid's Name/Age: Rebecca Herrera, 17
- Whiz Kid's School/Church/Community Center:
- Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Herrera is the 2009 American Vaulting Association’s Bronze Level Zone Champion. What is vaulting, you ask? “The best description,” says Herrera, “is gymnastics and dance on horseback.” One to three vaulters perform amazing feats of balance, control, and athleticism on the back of a cantering horse. “The cardio work is the most difficult part,” says Herrera, “but I love the variability of the sport. If you can dream up a move and perform it on a moving horse, it’s usually allowed in the competition.” Herrera has moved up to the Silver Level of competition and will take part in the 2011 AVA Nationals in Denver this August.
- Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: Herrera is dedicated and passionate; she has been riding horses and doing gymnastics from an early age. It was a natural progression to combine the two skills. During the school year, Rebecca spends two weekday afternoons and most of her weekends at Valley View Vaulters in Lake View Terrace. “I wish I could go everyday, like I do in summer,” says Herrera. “My favorite place to be is on the horse.”
- Bonus Whiz Kid Info: Herrera is a gymnastics coach at the Crescenta-Canada YMCA. “It takes a lot of patience and concentration to teach the little ones in the rollers class, but I love it.” She is also a member of the CVH Academy of Science and maintains a 3.8 GPA. Her goal is to go to UC Davis and study animal science with the hope of becoming an equine veterinarian. “I’m considering Davis because it’s not too far from the many vaulting clubs up north. I’d really like to do this my whole life.”