February 16, 2025 
Big things lie in the near future for American dressage athlete Geñay Vaughn. For one, she is going to FEI World Cup™ Finals in Basel, Switzerland. Secondly, she has a shot at the $250,000 US Equestrian Open, currently tied for the lead in the new series.
The 30-year-old secured her sixth straight victory with Gino in the World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle at Del Mar. With a score of 74.370%, it was a convincing win in her home state of California, Vaughn hailing from Elk Grove in Sacramento county.
The victory comes on the heels of back-to-back World Cup wins at Thermal in January, where the pair swept both the Grand Prix and the Freestyle.
“I’m so thrilled with Gino,” Genay said following her Thermal win. “He really gained his confidence in the ring and was really with me every step of the way. I think we had a huge breakthrough and we were able to show what we are capable of doing inside the ring.”
Their partnership is a long-term one, making achievements like this all the more special.
“My mom purchased Gino when he was 6 years old,” Vaughn shared of the Dutch Warmblood gelding (Bretton Woods x Haarlem). “It’s been a journey getting to grow together and know each other. He’s an amazing, amazing horse, and I feel like each time we come out, we’re just getting more confident at this level and performing at the Big Tour. I’m really excited for what’s to come in the future.”
Vaughn’s mother, Michele, also serves as her trainer and just about every other role.
“If I’m helping her at a competition and there’s another trainer, then I’m the mom and the groom and the stall cleaner and everything that goes along with that job,” Michele remarked.
The love of horses flooded into Geñay’s life, literally. When she was a little girl, her mom rescued horses after catastrophic flooding in the Sacramento area, and one of those rescues, a mini stallion, became her best friend.
Flash forward to today, she’s riding the wave to one of her biggest goals: becoming an Olympian.
The increased focus on West Coast dressage in recent years has helped Geñay not only reach new heights but to do so while staying close to her home base of Starr Vaughn Equestrian.
The FEI Dressage World Cup Final will take place April 1–6.
