THERMAL, California, Nov. 15, 2024–Geñay Vaughn squeaked out a win on Gino in Friday’s abbreviated World Cup Grand Prix, the first Big Tour victory for the partnership making their first international start in their home state.
Geñay of Elk Grove, California and the 13-year-old KWPN gelding scored 63.978% in the first of three qualifiers in Southern California for the championship Final in Switzerland next April.
The duo’s previous 16 Grand Prix starts over the past two years have been in Florida.
Canada’s Brittney Simpson on the 13-year-old KWPN stallion Kartsevo Goldfinch was runner-up on 63.935%, just 0.043% behind the leader.
Of the six initial entries, two-time World Cup finalist rider Anna Buffini withdrew Fiontini that she competed on the U.S. Nations Cup team in Aachen, Germany in July. So, too, did Canada’s Tanya Strasser-Shostak on Fidelis Tyme who is tied for second at this early stage of the North American World Cup standings. U.S. Olympian Günter Seidel retired on Jack, leaving three starting combinations.
Results:
