THERMAL, California, Nov. 16, 2024–Geñay Vaughn rode Gino to a personal best score Saturday to win the World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle.
Geñay of Elk Grove, California and the 13-year-old KWPN gelding scored 72.615% for the win in the competition that was whittled down to two starters.
This was the first competition for the partnership in the rider’s home state. The pair began Big Tour in Florida two years ago.
The win came a day after claiming the Grand Prix for the duo’s first Big Tour victory after 16 previous Grand Prix starts.
Canada’s Brittney Simpson on the 13-year-old KWPN stallion Kartsevo Goldfinch was runner-up on 68.275%.
The result earned Geñay 20 points for fourth place in the World Cup North American League which is assigned three spots in the starting lineup for the championships scheduled for Basel, Switzerland next April.
The USA’s Kevin Kohmann on Dünensee leads the standings with 40 points followed by Devon Kane on Giulietta and Tanya Strasser-Shostak of Canada on Fidelis Tyme tied for second.
Two more qualifiers are scheduled for Southern California and five in Florida.
Results:
