A 20-year dream comes full circle in Aachen for Eliza Wark Chapman

For Eliza Wark Chapman, representing Australia at the 2026 FEI World Championships in Aachen is more than the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition, it is the culmination of a journey shaped by resilience, unexpected opportunities and an enduring love for vaulting.

As an adventurous, horse-crazy child, Wark Chapman was introduced to vaulting through her mother’s friendship with Lyn Lynch, and was hooked from the moment she climbed onto a horse.

“Vaulting is such a unique equestrian sport in the way you are always a part of a team in the ring,” Wark Chapman said.

“The connection between horse, vaulter and lunger is incredible. Then when competing with multiple vaulters, the shared experience makes it extra special.”

That connection has remained at the heart of her journey, even as her role within the sport has evolved from vaulter to coach and lunger.

One of Eliza’s biggest challenges came in 2015, when she broke her ankle just before the Junior World Championships. Having dreamed of competing at that level since she was young, the injury was devastating, with uncertainty around whether she could return to the sport.

She travelled to Ermelo to support her teammates, learning valuable lessons about resilience and celebrating others’ success, before competing for another two years and then stepping away from vaulting for five.

While she continued coaching and training horses, an unexpected opportunity to stunt double on horseback in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga brought her back to the sport. Although she had not vaulted consistently at a high level for almost five years, the role prompted her to return to training and ultimately reignited her passion for vaulting.

“It reminded me of being a kid, doing crazy things on my pony and just trusting that she would let me,” she said.

The opportunity ultimately helped Wark Chapman rediscover her belief that competing at a World Championship could still be possible.

Since returning to the sport, she has played a unique dual role as both athlete and the Australian vaulting squad’s main coach, helping plan their training, map out the pathway to Aachen and manage many of the horses and logistical details along the way.

Now, 20 years after watching the Australian vaulters compete at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen and deciding she wanted to represent Australia there one day, that dream is finally within reach.

“It is a very full circle moment to finally achieve that dream in the same place that sparked it,” she said.

“I am immensely proud of how far we have come and feel ready to perform to the best of our abilities.”

For Wark Chapman, vaulting has always been about more than competition, giving her lifelong friendships and skills such as teamwork, resilience, trust and self-belief, something she now hopes to share with others through giving back to the sport.

“I love seeing people gain new skills and be proud of themselves,” she said.

“I especially love it when I see those skills carry across to positively impact other areas of their life.”

From a horse-crazy kid watching the 2006 World Equestrian Games to a vaulter, coach, lunger and stunt performer, Wark Chapman’s journey to Aachen has taken many unexpected turns. Now, after 20 years of dreaming, she is ready to represent Australia on the same stage that first inspired her.