The HITS Del Mar Dressage Opener CDI-W kicked off an exciting 2025 season of dressage at the Del Mar Horse Park as riders from across the West Coast showcased their talent at the beloved venue. The excitement reached its peak during the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Qualifier Grand Prix Freestyle class, on Saturday, February 15. At the event’s completion, it was California native Geñay Vaughn and Gino that claimed the victory with a standout performance.
Vaughn and her mount Gino, Michelle Vaughn’s 14-year-old KWPN gelding (Bretton Woods x Haarlem), have been together for about eight years. Originally meant for Michele Vaughn, Gino was found and purchased on a trip to Holland, but, as time went on, Michele Vaughn saw the true potential in the partnership between her daughter and Gino, believing he could be a horse worthy of the world stage.
“We do everything together,” admitted Geñay Vaughn. “I’m here at the barn seven days a week. I am his rider, but also his personal groom. I put him on the walker, turn him out, anything and everything he needs. He’s very much a one-person horse, so I’m just so grateful for him and he’s really amazing!”
For the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W, Geñay Vaughn wanted to pay homage to her upbringing by including songs such as ‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,’ and artists like Barry White and Luther Vandross. Wanting to keep things fun and upbeat for the crowd, Geñay Vaughn planned to incorporate music that was enjoyable, but also enhanced Gino’s talents.
“I wanted to have fun with it because I’m on the younger side,” she explained. “I also wanted to make it beautiful and something that everyone could appreciate.”
The win was also Geñay Vaughn and Gino’s first time competing at a HITS Del Mar event, and what a successful trip it was. The dynamic duo made the most of their time with results of 70.739% in the FEI Grand Prix CDI-W and 74.370% in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W, which secured their spot to represent the United States at the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final in Basel, Switzerland, on April 2-6, 2025.
Another big highlight of the show was Günter Seidel’s (USA) winning ride in the FEI Prix St. George with his mount Bogart, taking the lead with a score of 69.265%.
“In general I was very happy with him,” he said of the Leatherdale Farms’s nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Beltano x His Highness 2). “He came in and had excellent trot work. We had a few mistakes in the canter and that brought my score down just a bit, but overall I was just very pleased with him.
“Ever since the footing got re-done, it’s quite amazing to compete here,” he continued. “It’s a super equine friendly environment for the horses because the stabling is close to the warm-ups and everything is laid out very well. It’s an intimate setting, and my horses enjoy being there.”
Despite a night of heavy rain, the HITS Del Mar Horsepark footing was safe and rideable Friday morning for the national show, thanks to the ebb-and-flow drainage system installed in all of the outdoor arenas.
For more information on future events, please visit us at HITS Del Mar Dressage Events
For results, please visit https://equestrian-hub.com/show/193295
