When it comes to an equestrian competition that involves doing acrobatic feats on horseback, it doesn't hurt to be related to your partner.That's the case for Angelique and Jeanine Vandersluijs, who departed for Scotland on June 28 to train for the Chio Aachen World Equestrian Festival in Aachen, Germany, the second-largest equestrian competition in the world.From July 11 to 13, the sisters will be competing in the vaulting event.“It's basically like gymnastics and dance performed on top of a cantering horse,” said Angelique. “It's still relatively new in Canada but it's fast growing and (there are) lots of youth that's interested in it.”The two will compete in pairs competition and Jeanine, 27, will also participate individually.Vandersluijs has been vaulting since she was a six year old growing up in the Netherlands.She continued with the sport after moving to Canada at age 12.Now 25, Angelique and her sister will be competing at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France, where there will be seven other vaulters from Central Alberta, she said.“We grew up doing it together. So we've always kind of fooled around and we never really thought of it,” she said. “We know each other very well so it works nicely.”Angelique said her sister has been a competitive vaulter for the past six years, already having represented Canada at the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games.However, the sisters' expectation in Germany is mainly to have fun and test the waters before the games in France.“Our goal is to just enjoy it and do the best we can because I know it's going to be very challenging for us because it's more of a European sport at the moment,” she said. “So it's more kind of getting out there and seeing what it's like and get ready for the World Equestrian Games so we have a feeling of what to expect.”Vaulting requires a strong relationship between horse and rider. Relishing it is the most enjoyable part of the sport, Angelique said.“For us, we really get a connection with our horse and that's really most important to us. You get a really special bond with your equine partner. That's what keeps the fun going,” she said.“Your ultimate goal is to be in harmony with the horse at all times and that's how you slowly increase your difficulty of exercises.”[email protected]
