Impressive Lila Theunissen crowned SA vaulting champion in Durban
Lila Theunissen (11) was crowned the new South African u.14 vaulting champion after winning several categories in her age group at the recent South African vaulting championships in Durban.
What makes her achievement more impressive is that vaulting in the Western
Cape, and more specifically George, does not score big in the popularity stakes.
All the top riders were in action at the SAs and one of the international judges has described the quality of participants as "outstanding."
Lila won the compulsary and freestyle category on her horse in the E and D grade and in the Barrel Division she also triumphed in the compulsary and freestyle categories in E and D grade. She scored the most points in the junior section and was crowned overall SA champion. She also won the Sanesa section for primary schools.
Lila told the George Herald that the combination of gymnastics and horse riding suits her like a well-fitted glove. At the Western Cape horse jumping championhsips in Stellenbosch last year she finished in overall second position.
She's one of the top junior riders in Eden and has just been selected to represent the Western Cape at the South African gymnastics championships in Johannesburg next week.
Lila, who is also one of the top achievers in her class at Outeniqua Primary, has to travel to Mossel Bay's S.O.S. Vaulters to practice her sport as George does not offer vaulting.
She has now joined a private tuition institution in order to proceed at a faster pace with her studies.
This will also allow her more time to practice her sport, which requires a lot of time and energy.