Photo Genay Vaughn on Gino
Photo by Regina Antonioli
BURBANK, CA: Genay Vaughn (Elk Grove, CA) captured the top prize of the day winning the 2022 CDS Open Grand Prix Championship, sponsored by Buchalter Equine Law. Riding Gino, the 2011 KWPN Gelding, owned by Michelle Vaughn, Genay scored a 73.804, taking home the winner’s share of the $1000 purse, CDS Jacket and Sherry DeLeon Memorial Trophy, and this in only the horse’s fourth Grand Prix. When asked what makes this horse so special Vaughn replied, “I think it is just his personality. I can’t really pinpoint it. The good ones are just special.” Vaughn hopes to continue at Grand Prix in 2023 --probably some Florida shows, but will let Gino pick the pace.
Second in the Grand Prix with a 71.304, was another Northern California rider, Christian Hartung (Vacaville) aboard Christiane Noelting’ s 2011 Oldenburg Gelding, Desario. The Hartung/Noelting team picked up another big win with the 4-Year-Old Stallion, Velantis N. The impressive 17H stallion garnered a 77.241 in the GAIG/USDF Region 7 Training Level Championship.
Young horses were spotlighted in the CDS Futurity classes, and they did not disappoint. With 17 in the Four-Year-Old division, amateur rider, Ellie Hardesty (San Diego) who picked up the ride on Barrington, just a three weeks ago, ended up on top. The black Hanoverian gelding is owned and was California-bred by Triin Ducharame. He earned an 83.300 in the Material and an overall 76.645, good enough for Second for the Cal-Bred awards and earning Hardesty the Amateur Futurity title. Thrilled with the victory Hardesty said, “I just clicked with the horse right away.” about the first time she rode the horse. “I really like how sensible he is, also he is a really big mover and I like a big mover.”
The Cal-Bred Winner and highest scoring Futurity horse was the 5-year-old Maebria DG, owned and bred by Willy Arts and the renowned DG Bar Ranch in Hanford, CA. Ashlyn Dodge guided the 17 hand Dutch mare by Totilas out of Famebria DG to an amazing 77.280 %.
Local rider Kristina Harrison-Antell (Burbank) rode her own Hanoverian mare, Quintessa RLF to the top honors in the 6-Year-Old Division. Explaining how she bought the filly after seeing her in Florida before she was weaned. “ I thought, I will never be able to buy a horse like this ---so I bought her.’” With the approval and subsequent help of her long-time coach, Button Baker, Harrison started the training journey. When asked what makes the horse so special Harrison replied, “First of all she is just the sweetest most cuddly horse – she loves attention, but she also loves to work.
Younger riders also picked up some of their own glory today in the CDS Equitation Classes. 14-Year-Old Mia Folk (Fullerton, CA) captured an amazing score of 85% in the 14-17 CDS Equitation Class on her own Chestnut pony, Alastor. Described by her coach, Stephanie Field as, “such a hard worker, completely dedicated to her animals, and passionate about dressage.” Mia herself says she likes the equitation classes, “because I can get really good advice about my riding. Then I can focus on what I need to fix and make my tests better” Looking forward, Folk hopes to again qualify for Festival in equitation and add FEI Pony qualification.
Other equitation winners included: Sage Chacon (Redlands, CA) on Apfelkorn in the 13- Under (78.00%); Delaney Lardie on Regalo in the 18-21 (68.00%); and amateur rider, Lynda Palmer on Tip Top’s Kiki in the 22 & Over (80.00%)
A Correction: In yesterday’s eblast, we mistakenly listed Carla Schulz and Ava Dingley coach as Ari Lopez. Their trainer is Christiane Noelting.
For full results of today’s classes and tomorrow’s schedule, go to our website at www.california-dressage.org.
