THERMAL, California, Nov. 14, 2026–Geñay Vaughn on Gino became the $200,000 US Open CDI5* Grand Prix champion Saturday night with victory in the Freestyle a day after capturing the Grand Prix. Germany’s Michael; Klimke on the American-owned Harmony’s Dante’s Peak was reserve champion.
Geñay and the 15-year-old Dutch-bred gelding scored a personal best 77.355% for the victory in the second year of the event specially designed by US Equestrian to promote development of the Olympic disciplines of dressage, eventing and jumping ahead of the Games in Los Angeles in 2028.
Geñay who lives in Elk Grove near Sacramento in California described her ride in the first competition since returning from a summer tour in Europe described the musical performance as the “best test I ever did.”
Michael Klimke who came to Thermal to show Harmony’s Dante’s Peak, 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding that he has developed for Harmoney Sporthorses of Kiowa, Colorado was awarded 75.450% for reserve champion. He is a regular competitor on the Florida winter circuit and has competed the Dante Weltino offspring the past two years in Florida as well as in Europe.
Devon Kane of Wellington, Florida on the 14-year-old gelding Vamos who had come into this competition as the highest ranked at 3rd after 22 qualifying events in the final lineup, scored 72.965% for third.
The 2027 final will be at Thermal’s Desert International Horse Park in November for the third year.
Results
| Rank | Competitor | Score | E | H | C | M | B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |
Geñay Vaughn (USA)
Gino
|
77.355% | 77.300 | 76.550 | 75.425 | 79.775 | 77.725 |
| 2. |
Michael Klimke (GER)
Harmony’s Dante’s Peak
|
75.450% | 75.675 | 75.500 | 74.175 | 77.900 | 74.000 |
| 3. |
Devon Kane (USA)
Vamos
|
72.965% | 73.925 | 73.500 | 72.900 | 72.875 | 71.625 |
| 4. |
Micah Deligdish (ISR)
Carpe Diem De Massa
|
72.395% | 70.325 | 73.350 | 73.150 | 73.675 | 71.475 |
| 5. |
Kristina Harrison-Antell (USA)
Finley
|
72.080% | 68.950 | 74.150 | 71.800 | 74.925 | 70.575 |
| 6. |
Ali Potasky (USA)
Inxs
|
70.005% | 66.900 | 71.525 | 67.175 | 72.425 | 72.000 |
| 7. |
Nadine Schwartsman (USA)
Royal Flash R
|
69.585% | 72.700 | 70.150 | 69.425 | 67.825 | 67.825 |
| 8. |
Cyndi Jackson (USA)
Florisson
|
69.515% | 70.525 | 71.150 | 68.575 | 70.725 | 66.600 |
| 9. |
Charlotte Jorst (USA)
Niquel CAP
|
68.120% | 70.050 | 65.725 | 68.350 | 69.425 | 67.050 |
 Find details on Equestrian Hub |
