Vaughn and Gino dominated the FEI Dressage World Cup Thermal Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle in their breakout performances at the CDI-W level.
But the horse was originally intended for her trainer mother, Michele.
Discovered as a six-year-old on a shopping trip to Europe and imported to the U.S., Michele saw the KWPN gelding’s potential for bigger things and handed over the ride to her daughter.
“I rode him and she saw us together and—she’s so selfless—she’s like, ‘This could be a horse for you in the future that can do really big things,’ ” Geñay told Chronicle of the Horse. “She didn’t have the aspirations to make a team, but she wanted for me to do that type of competitive, high performance dressage. So she gave me the reins to him.”
Vaughn proved those premonitions right in Thermal. The pair captured their career first FEI wins on the fourth leg of the North American League.
On Friday, the duo claimed the FEI World Cup Grand Prix. Their score of 63.978% narrowly won first place by 0.043%.
The following day, Vaughn and Gino claimed the FEI Dressage World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle as well and a new personal best score of 72.615%. Vaughn’s win in both events ranks her in fourth place of the North American League standings.
Britney Simpson (CAN) and Kartsevo Goldfinch took second in the Grand Prix with a score of 63.935% and second place in the Grand Prix Freestyle with a score of 68.275%. Tina Caldwell (USA) and Lagerfeld K earned third place in the Grand Prix with a score of 56.000%. The Grand Prix Freestyle saw only two entries.
The North American League continues December 11-15 in Ocala, Florida.
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