Arabella shines in Texas

Arabella in Prep Reception has been incredibly busy competing in gymnastics across the globe since starting school. After competitions in Spain in October and Northern Ireland in November, Arabella travelled to Texas just days after celebrating her 5th birthday this January, representing City of Preston Gymnastics at the prestigious Simone Biles Invitational in Houston.

With over 2,000 gymnasts from 10 countries, this is one of the largest gymnastics competitions in the world. Arabella was the youngest gymnast ever to compete at the event, an extraordinary achievement.

The venue was huge and the atmosphere was electric. Arabella cheered on the other children, exchanged high-fives and mini gifts with gymnasts from many different countries, and tried where possible to say hello and thank you in their languages.

Arabella competed across all four Women’s Artistic apparatus, and this also marked her first time performing a full floor routine to music. She performed brilliantly and was awarded a bronze medal, while her team placed an impressive fourth overall.

The trip also included many unforgettable Texas experiences. Arabella enjoyed a basketball day, spent time horse riding on a Texas ranch with cowboys and cowgirls, and visited the Houston NASA Space Centre. There, she met an astronaut, mainly asking questions about what food tastes like in space, toured the facilities including Mission Control and astronaut training areas, and explored inside a space shuttle. She also had the opportunity to try out equipment at the World Champions Gymnastics Centre, where Simone Biles trains.

After the competition, Arabella met Simone Biles. With 11 Olympic medals and 30 World Championship medals, Simone is the most decorated gymnast in history. Arabella exchanged British snacks and mini GB flags and received signed items from Simone and her friends.

Back at school, Arabella was keen to share her adventures, show her class the NASA space shuttle replica, and also brought back a signed picture from Simone Biles for Westholme School.