Acrobat and Vaulting star in the making

King’s College and Preparatory School was proud of the performance and accolades won by their learner Amelie Raats who has been showcasing her skills, hard work and commitment to acrobatics.

According to the school, in the past few months, she has won at the Central Gauteng Acrobatics Championships, finished second at the AFSA Interprovincial Championship hosted in Pretoria, and won the club championships for her level while also receiving the trophy for the best junior (Grade R–7) acrobat.

The school is celebrating Grade 1’s ability to stay committed and focused on acrobatics regardless of the challenges and restrictions thrown at sports worldwide due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Amelie has also been able to transfer her skills as a rising acrobat star to learning how to become a skilled vaulter. Vaulting is a youthful, theatrical discipline in which athletes perform on the back of a walking, trotting or cantering horse. The horse is guided on a long rein by a lunger standing on the ground who ensures that a steady movement is maintained on a circle.

She has participated in the Gauteng Vaulting Graded shows as part of Riba Stables and represented Kings College and Preparatory School through the South African National Equestrian Schools Association. Having only started this discipline in February, she was quickly learning all the necessary compulsory and freestyle choreography.
Considering she had only taken part in two shows, she had exceeded expectations and looked forward to mastering this in time as well. The school wished her luck and would support her in whatever way they could to ensure Amelie’s growth, success and enjoyment.