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Saratoga Sampler
Watch out, the best 'man' might have fleas
By Mary Ann Cook
GYMNASTICS--ON HORSEBACK?: Top gymnasts will perform on cantering horses during "Ride the Edge," an international vaulting competition at Garrod Farms on June 30 and July 1, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Vaulting combines the strength and power of gymnastics with equestrian competition.
Good grief, gymnastics looks difficult enough without a moving platform. "Some people call it dancing with horses," says Marianne Rose, who is coach for the beginning level of the local chapter. Emma Drinker (a Garrod daughter) is the advanced teacher and considered the top coach in the country.
How well horse and rider work together is the quality the judges are looking for. Up to three riders may be on one horse. Athletes are judged on strength, balance, artistry and creativity by internationally ranked judges. This is the highest level vaulting competition offered.
The sport evolved from the training German cavalry underwent, going as far back as Roman times. It was an Olympic sport into the '20s. The local judge is Adrianne Stang, along with an Oregon judge and one from Sweden.
Saratogans competing include Alexis Garrod, 14; Megan Benjamin, Becky Hall, Ginny Kaufmann, Jande Kyes, Kenna McKenzie, Brittany Dutra, Morgan Rogers and Lauren Crafford of Los Gatos.
The competition will benefit Via Rehabilitation Services, an agency which is rebuilding Camp Costanoan, a summer camp for disabled children. The event is free, but there is a charge for premium seating. The local vaulting team practices at Garrod Farms.
Hence its name, Mt. Eden Vaulting Club. Other nations participating include Canada, Germany, Austria, Denmark and Australia. The event is sponsored by Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards.
TRAVELIN' TREKS: The Youngs--Tessie and Phil--are avid travelers, avid bikers. They spent nearly a month in New Zealand this spring and, not surprisingly, 10 days were devoted to a biking tour. Part of the bike tour included being helicoptered onto a glacier where they roamed around.
Another inclusion was a train trip across the Alps and spending the night at a sheep farm. They trooped through the wilderness, staying in lodges. After biking, they turned their energies to hiking the Milford Track, considered one of the 10 most beautiful hikes in the world.
Trekking 39 miles over a five-day period, the couple traversed a wide variety of ecosystems--rain forests and mountains both sheer and slippery. Some of the terrain was so rugged Tessie was glad she had a walking stick, for the first time in her hiking life, to contend with the slippery boulders.
"Coming down was really hairy." They toured fern groves with plants growing 10-12 feet tall. So remote is the area it took both bus and boat to get them there. Compared to hikers from Israel and the United Kingdom, "We were slouches," says Tessie. Paragliding was also part of the agenda--launched off the side of a mountain with a partner.
While Phil went fly-fishing, Tessie went to see the royal albatross and the yellow-eyed penguins. Nelson was declared the best beach. There they kayaked at 9 a.m. and declared the experience wonderful.
The bike group melded so well there'll be a reunion up the peninsula. In September, the Youngs will visit an English couple. "If you don't do it all, you miss out," is Tessie's mantra. P.S. She's a travel agent; Phil a lawyer.
HAIRY WEDDING PARTY: When Regan Ryan marries Terry Hunt of Pleasanton on Aug. 4, in Calistoga their wedding party will include some nontraditional attendants. The two share a love of Labrador retrievers, so best man will be Jack and best woman will be Shamrock.
When I called the bride's mother, Sue Ryan, she originally said there was nothing unusual about the nuptials. Until she remembered those four-footed attendants. The wedding planners must have confidence these attendants won't eat the bridal bouquet or swallow the rings.
Barbara O'Malley, Nancy Daniher and Sharon Walsh hosted a shower for the bride recently.
HONORS: The local chapter of American Pen Women honored four in the category of arts. letters and music--all from Saratoga High. They are Judith Sutton, teacher; and Juliana Nam, Lindsey Jaye Levin and Katherine Tsai, seniors.
Sutton received $200, the students $100 and $75. Sutton has taught at the school for 30 years and currently teaches creative writing, including poetry. She has won many teaching awards and was the co-founder of the Valley Institute of Theater Arts.
Nam is headed to USC and intends to be a physician. She is the editor of the literary magazine and opinion editor of the school newspaper. Levin won first place in a literary competition called Soul Making, sponsored by the San Francisco chapter of Pen Women and her winning poems--and Katherine Tsai's--are posted at Barnes and Noble, Stevens Creek.
Levin's and Tsai's poetry have been published in anthologies and both won honors in the Olympiad of the Arts at West Valley College. Tsai will study at Yale in the fall.
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
