Pablo Gómez Molina Makes His Mark with Freestyle Debut to Top 2026 CDI 4* Wellington

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2026 CDI Wellington

-- GDF press release, edited by Eurodressage - Photos © Lily Forado

Spanish rider Pablo Gómez Molina debuted Servus Ymas in the horse’s first-ever CDI freestyle and topped the 4* Grand Prix Freestyle during Friday Night Stars in Week 5 of the 2026 Global Dressage Festival (GDF) in Wellington, Florida.

Their bold Queen routine, which included a spectacular final centerline of piaffe into extended trot into piaffe into halt, was rewarded with 74.49%, with a high score of 76.45% from British judge Stephen Clarke.

Devon Kane of Wellington, FL, finished just behind Gómez Molina with her 74.235% ride to Latin rhythms on Diamante Farms’ 14-year-old gelding Vamos (Vivaldi x Insterburg). She was also awarded the Leading Lady Freestyle Rider Award. Susan Dutta (USA) claimed the yellow sash for her disco music routine on Flying D Equine Company’s 16-year-old Don Design DC (Der Designer x Sir Donnerhall).

The class served as a qualifier for the US Open of Dressage series, now in its second year. Seven of this season’s 24 qualifiers are held at AGDF before the final in California in November. Click here for the current standings.

Gómez Molina has been competing Servus Ymas, a 13-year-old San Amour x Depardieu gelding owned by Cristina Danguillecourt, Javier Bacariza and Yeguada De Ymas, since he was five. He was delighted with the horse’s performance, grinning as he completed his test, which was originally designed for another horse.

“I had a bit of doubt about today because in the grand prix he was spooky with the wind and the rain,” said Gómez Molina, who has benefitted from training with Ali Brock over the past month. “But once I got on, he was really focused. There’s no better place to try these things than here."

“This win is really special because we struggled to find our groove last year with Servus,” he continued. “We built up through the levels together, so it’s always rewarding to come to the CDI level and win. He’s really spicy, but also is powerful and fun to ride. The first show we did in Week 1 wasn’t the best, so this one confirms that we progressed and that we keep growing and—hopefully—getting better.

“I want to do the Nations Cup [GDF 11],” added Gómez Molina, whose groom Lisa Trappitt was awarded the groom’s award. “Then, our main goal is to go to Europe to show there and hopefully get a chance to be on the Spanish team [for the FEI World Championships in Germany in August].”

Judge William Warren (USA) said, “Pablo’s horse had some spice, but he made it work in his favor tonight. It all came together for him, and he’s such a showman that he gets the crowd really engaged. It was well choreographed, and it made it exciting to sit in the box and watch Pablo produce what he did.”

Gómez Molina’s victory shot him to the top of the standings in the Dressage Leading International Freestyle Rider rankings, where he is tied for first place with Christian Simonson (USA) and Susan Pape (GBR). A special prize will be awarded to the overall winner at the end of the season.

**Geñay Vaughn Tops CDI4* Special**

From last draw in the 4* Grand Prix Special, Geñay Vaughn swooped in to log her second win in as many days on her mother Michele Vaughn’s 15-year-old Gino. Their 71.851% was a new high special score for the talented duo from Elk Grove, CA, who have enjoyed a tremendous week in AGDF5.

The top four finishers in the class—which was also held during Friday Night Stars—were all female athletes from the U.S., with Charlotte Jorst producing a huge new personal best of 70.191% on her own 13-year-old Zhaplin Langholt. Jorst and the Zonik x Stedinger gelding had not ridden a CDI special for more than a year and added almost five percentage points to their previous best of 65.213%. The on-form Meagan Davis steered Scott Durkin’s 13-year-old Totilas gelding Toronto Lightfoot into third with 68.383%.

Vaughn’s score would likely have been higher if not for a break to canter in one of the early extended trots along the rail. Gino’s piaffe/passage work was of high quality with a lot of elasticity and engagement.

“I think he really loves the environment,” said Vaughn. “Gino is a showman, and he really showed up in there. He’s the best horse I’ve ever had—the best horse I’ve ever ridden. He’s unbelievable and I’m very grateful for him.”

Vaughn’s high score, 73.83%, came from judge at M, William Warren. He said, “I think the harmony between these two is exceptional. They just keep getting better and better, and when things go a little bit wrong, she doesn’t react, and he trusts her.”