My name is Raven Wilkening, and I’m a 15-year-old competitive equestrian vaulter in Petaluma, CA with a dream I’ve been chasing for most of my life.
I started vaulting when I was just four years old. For the past 11 years, this incredible sport has shaped who I am—teaching me strength, discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. Vaulting combines gymnastics and dance performed on a moving horse, and it requires countless hours of training, trust with our horses, and dedication to improving every day.
This year, I have a goal to achieve the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to compete on the international stage at the FEI Junior World Vaulting Championships 2027.
Getting to this level takes years of commitment, the next two years of my life is going to be dedicated to reaching this goal but the journey to compete internationally also comes with significant travel and training costs.
Expenses include:
• International travel
• Horse transportation and care
• Coaching and training
• Competition fees
• Team uniforms and equipment
My goal is to raise $20,000 to help cover these costs so I can focus on representing the United States of America, my team, my community, and the sport I love.
Any donation—big or small—helps bring me one step closer to the arena. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this page means just as much.
Thank you for supporting my journey and helping me continue chasing this dream.
With gratitude,
Raven Wilkening
