dressage athlete Genay Vaughn and her horse Gino have qualified for the World Cup finals after winning three West Coast World Cup qualifiers in a row. Vaughn describes dressage as similar to ballet or gymnastics, with judges evaluating the execution of each movement. Vaughn and Gino have been a team for eight years, with Vaughn aiming to compete in the Olympics in LA 2028.
Vaughn, who grew up in Elk Grove, is a top dressage discipline rider in the U.S. and aspires to compete on the world stage in her home state. Despite not making the U.S. Olympic Team for Paris, Vaughn used it as motivation to reach her next goal of the World Cup. She hopes to be a role model for people of color in the sport, as there are few participants who look like her.
Vaughn and Gino will fly together to Switzerland for the World Cup finals, with Vaughn serving as Gino’s flight attendant to ensure his comfort during the journey. While Vaughn’s ultimate goal is to win Olympic gold in LA 2028, she also values the opportunity to inspire others and serve as a role model for diversity in the sport.
