Geñay Vaughn is an international dressage competitor and an assistant trainer at Starr Vaughn Equestrian in Elk Grove, CA. alongside her mom, Michele Vaughn, she has a passion for breeding and developing young horses into Grand Prix horses.
In 2023, Vaughn made her Grand Prix debut with her current mount “Gino” in Wellington. This combination has been very successful, becoming the first athlete to win two consecutive qualifiers at the US Equestrian Open of Dressage, also qualifying them for the 2025 FEI World Cup™ Final.
Early in life, Geñay competed at the FEI North American Youth Championships (NAYC) as a Junior in 2009 and a Young Rider in 2010. In 2015, she was selected as member of the first U.S. Dressage CDIOU25 Team. She made appearances at Rotterdam and Hagen and then in 2017 brought home the silver medal in the FEI Nations Cup on Donarweiss GGF.
We met up with Geñay to discuss her riding story and recent competitions:
How has your family’s legacy influenced your love for the sport of dressage?
My mom is originally from Wisconsin, where she grew up on a dairy farm and had a horse. That’s where my parents met and then moved to Sacramento, where my dad’s family is from. She didn’t really have any friends in Sacramento, so she decided to take some lessons down the street. There was a big flood in our area in the 90’s, so she went around with her horse trailer, rescuing horses from the flood. She found a miniature pony in someone’s garden shed in their backyard and rescued him. When she went to return him, they said she could keep him, and that became my first pony.
It was like love at first sight. I was totally addicted. I didn’t even want to go to school; I just wanted to hang out with my pony. I would take my halter, tie it into a makeshift bridle, and ride bareback. I did pony club, and I would go on to show in dressage, jumpers, hunters and eventing. When I was around 15, my mom said I needed to pick one discipline and be serious about it. Initially, I picked jumping, but eventually choosing dressage worked out perfectly.
Who was the person who influenced you the most in your riding?
Definitely my mom because she was my coach growing up, and she taught me horsemanship. She has such a strong passion for horses and always puts them before the competing and riding aspects.
Geñay Vaughn and “Gino” competing at GDF Week 1. © Centre Line Media
What is your partnership with “Gino” like?
He’s a character. He’s definitely my best friend first, and then we are teammates. We spend every day together; I’m his groom and his person. I put him on the walker from his stall seven days a week, I turn him out, and I do his night check. I know everything about him. If it’s not me, my mom will fill in for me, but “Gino” is a one-person type of horse because he’s very particular and quirky. We are inseparable, and I think that’s probably what makes us have such a tight bond. Our relationship comes first, and then we compete on the side.
How do you balance competing, training and time off?
Our training schedule is based on our set competition schedule. The horses work four days a week at home, and then I am at the barn seven days a week to turn them out anytime they are not being ridden. My goal is to keep the horses happy. “Gino” is such an overachiever that he does not need to be drilled on things. He is so smart and knows what he is supposed to be doing. The less he does, the better he is. I try to keep it fun for him and do the same for me. My philosophy is that I want the horses to be excited to go to the competition so that we can enjoy it together.
How do you maintain Gino’s incredible tail in and out of showing?
He does have extensions that were put by Emily Wolf from Murrieta, CA, just before coming to Florida. He has a beautiful tail, but he rubbed it out a while ago. Before the World Cup, someone recommended that I put extensions in to make it look a little fuller. His natural tail is almost where it should be, but not quite there. I take care of his hair way better than I do mine.
Geñay Vaughn & “Gino” ©Centre Line Media
Do you have a favorite song that you listen to before you compete?
It’s not always the same, but lately I have been listening to Megan Thee Stallion. I like something to pump me up and put me in a good mood. It changes a lot, so we’ll see what I end up listening to before the next show.
What is your thought process before you enter the ring?
My thought process is to have fun and enjoy the moment. This is what I’ve worked for my whole life, and I do not want to be stressed. I want to have fun because it can end at any moment, and then I’ll wish I had enjoyed myself more. I just focus on enjoying the moment, then breathe, relax, and let “Gino” know this is just another day. Then, in the ring, I focus on the things I need to execute. Honestly, when I have my very best test, everything slows down, and I don’t really have to think at all. It just flows. That’s what I would like to have happen every time. It feels like you’re in a different dimension. It’s kind of like a flow state.
Geñay Vaughn & “Gino” receiving the Leading Lady Award ©Centre Line Media
What is special about Wellington for you and your team?
Wellington is so unique because there are so many shows in such close proximity. You can’t really get that anywhere else. It’s amazing. There are so many top riders who come here from all over the world to get sunshine and compete. The shows run phenomenally, and the experience is state-of-the-art.
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