Genay Vaughn Hoists 2026 US Equestrian Open Dressage Final Trophy

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2026 CDI Thermal

USEF press release, edited by Eurodressage - Photos © US Equestrian

California based Genay Vaughn hoisted the 2026 US Equestrian Open Dressage Final Trophy into the air after winning the Kur to Music at the 2026 CDI Thermal on Saturday 14 November 2026.

Second US Open Final, 10 Riders Compete

Taking place for the second time, the US Equestrian Open Dressage Final was the highlight of the CDI Thermal at the Desert International Horse Park.

While in principle the top 18 riders from the US Equestrian Open Dressage Series Ranking are eligible to compete at the Final in Thermal, only 10 of them accepted this year and 9 ended up competing. While the series format is an outstanding opportunity to motivate and financially support the riders (the purse is $200,000), the interest in showing in the finals is less than lukewarm. The "lowest" ranked rider in the series who accepted a starting place in Thermal was ranked 39th.

US Equestrian Open Dressage Final Trophy

With US high performance sport mostly based on the East coast and particularly in Florida, shipping horses to California and presumably the date on the calendar at the start of World Cup season seemingly affect the field of starters.

The Desert International Horse Park is committed to ensuring a strong future for equestrian sport in the desert. In the off-season, the partnership invested in numerous upgrades around the venue including the installation of video boards around the Grand Prix arena, additional turnouts and wash racks, new grass paddocks, paved roads, and expanded viewing areas for spectators and the public. Jeremy Smith of Desert International Horse Park noted that the park’s partners “all believe in investing back in the park and hosting top sport.”

California Victory

So the 2026 US Equestrian Open Dressage Final Trophy was won by a California native

Vaughn, who hails from Elk Grove near Sacramento, California, piloted her 15-year old KWPN bred Gino (by Bretton Woods x Haarlem) to a winning, personal best score of 77.355% for their freestyle. They performed to a mix of Barry White, Luther Vandross, and Earth, Wind & Fire, arranged by Terry Gallo, and earned the top mark from all five judges with a score that put nearly two points between themselves and the rest of the field.

"I’m just really proud of my horse. He’s out of this world,” Vaughn said. “I wanted to showcase his talent and show everyone what we’re made of together. He was so happy in there with me and the biggest thing is that he loves his job. To be able to do that in front of all my family and friends was just unbelievable.”

Consolation Win

Vaughn found some consolation by winning the Final after dropping out of the U.S. Team for the 2026 World Championships in Aachen last summer. In August, no clear reason was cited for Vaughn withdrawing from the team.

Asked what she would tell combinations considering competing in the US Equestrian Open Dressage Series and Final next year, Genay stated, “Do it. Believe in yourself. I’ve never felt so special at an event. We're treated like top athletes, and this is an event no one should miss.”

Vaughn noted how much the family support means to her, especially from her mother, Michele.

“She’s been a part of this team every step of the way. She coaches me at home. We’re in this together and she helps groom for me at every show,” Vaughn said, speaking of her mother. “It’s really a family bond and an amazing thing to experience the sport with her.”

A German Places Second

The US Equestrian Open Dressage Final and Series is open to riders of all nations, but points can only be collected for the series ranking at CDI's in the U.S.A.

Michael Klimke (GER) and the American owned Dante’s Peak, a 2016 Oldenburg gelding (by Dante Weltino OLD x Desperados FRH), owned by the Malone couple of Harmony Sport Horses, took second place on a final score of 75.450%. he earned a personal best in the second international freestyle start of their partnership.

Sponsored by the Malons Klimke made his first trip to Desert International Horse Park, and called it “a wonderful place.”

"Yesterday, we were not in top form and I stayed calm,” said Klimke. “Today, my horse was with me 100 percent. I had the feeling that ‘Dante’ was really with me on the last line, with his ears in front. It was a good feeling. I was the oldest rider in the class today, but with the youngest horse.”

Devon Kane Third

Rounding out the podium, Devon Kane (Wellington, Fla.) and Vamos, a 2012 Westphalian gelding (by Vivaldi x Insterburg) owned by Diamante Farms, capped their week with a third-place finish in the final on a 72.956%. They gained valuable experience and building their CDI5* resume. The trip west was Vamos’s first time flying to a competition, another important piece of their preparation for the future.

“He’s developed so much and in the last two or three shows he’s really found his courage in the arena,” said Kane. “The horse I have in there now matches the horse I have in the warm-up and at home. I’m beyond proud of him. He’s shown me many times that there’s more to come. We’re just getting started.”

Kane was cheered on by her husband, Kevin, and her mother, along with her trainer, Lars Petersen, who traveled from Wellington, Fla. “I’m a very lucky girl,” she said. “It’s amazing that I get to do this with my husband and my mom. I’m surrounded by my friends and the horses with me.”