“As a group I’d have to say that we are very, very pleased. That’s a very, very good result to have two vaulters in the final,” vaulting team manager Bob Hennig said. “There were 51 in the class and only 15 got into the final and that’s from 33 nations so we’re quite excited by that.” 

Tristyn, who underwent a knee reconstruction in November, realised her goal of finishing in the top 10 with a score of 8.273 in the freestyle for a final result of 7.665, which pulled her up the standings from 13^th to 10^th. “In the first part of the second round, the technical program, the horse was not very good so for me to come out top 10 even with that having happened, I’m definitely pretty happy with everything,” the 26-year-old said.

Samantha, who had a shoulder reconstruction in October, was awarded 7.713 in the final contest for an overall mark of 7.521. Samantha had been hoping to make it into the top 15 at best so was thrilled with her 14^th placing. “I’m ecstatic – I’m very pleased with myself, my horse, my longeur and my mum, because she has helped me get this far,” the 21-year-old said. 

America’s Megan Benjamin was crowned female individual world champion with a total of 8.421.

Tristyn became the first Australian female ever to qualify for the finals at the world championships in 2000. She is also responsible for Australia’s best WEG vaulting result for an individual female with a 6^th placing at the 2002 WEG in Spain. Tristyn damaged her right knee in November when she landed awkwardly during a performance at Equitana in Melbourne.

Samantha (21), from South Australia, has represented Australia at three world championships (2000, 2002 and here) and four Open European championships (1999, 2001, 2003, 2005).

Both girls now head home and will compete at the national titles in Sydney in October. 

Vaulting is often described as gymnastics on horseback. In the compulsory test all vaulters do the same seven exercises, which are marked on a scale of one to 10. The horse is given a separate mark. The freestyle test is judged on degree of difficulty, artistic impression, execution of the movements and the horse. The technical test comprises five compulsory movements integrated into a freestyle-like program.

About 800 athletes are competing at WEG, which runs until September 3, for the world champion titles in eventing, dressage, showjumping, four-in-hand driving, endurance, vaulting and reining. Australia is fielding 23 competitors across all disciplines except reining.