Vaughn and Gino Win the Dressage Grand Prix by More Than Two Points

Geñay Vaughn and Gino won the Grand Prix at the US Equestrian Open of Dressage Final on Friday night with 69.544%, winning by 2.066 points. Kristina Harrison-Antell and Finley finished 2nd on 67.478%. Only 0.261 points separated 2nd from 5th.

Nine pairs started on a windy night at Desert International Horse Park, and all nine cleared the 60% they needed to ride in Saturday's Freestyle.

A Calm Night for Gino

Gino looked relaxed in a ring he knows well. His changes were a highlight. The two-tempis drew two 8s, and four of five judges gave the one-tempis 7.5 or better. His passage was strong, too. The first piaffe cost him most, with marks from 5.0 to 6.5, and likely kept them from the 70 percent mark. But by the last piaffe at X, all five judges scored it a 7.

The score sits 1.468 points above Gino's career Grand Prix average. It's his fourth Grand Prix win at Thermal in five tries, and a long way from 6th in this class at last year's Final.

"I am so proud," Vaughn said. "There is nothing like showing in front of a hometown crowd. He was really with me this evening. I love him so much."

The Race for Second

Finley got better as the test went on and finished 0.606 points above his career average. That's still a touch below the 68.348% he averages at Thermal.

"This is the best show. I love coming here," Harrison-Antell said. "I feel like queen for the day when I'm here."

Ali Potasky and INXS were 3rd on 67.283%. INXS looked a little tense early, then settled in during the second half of the trot work. His piaffe was one of the best of the night. A bobble in the two-tempi changes cost them second place.

Micah Deligdish and Carpe Diem De Massa had the biggest night against their own form. Their 67.239% for 4th was 2.011 points above their career average and just short of their 67.522% PB.

Devon Kane and Vamos rounded out the top five on 67.217%. A mistake in the piaffe hurt the score, but Vamos was otherwise calm in a new arena. His trot half-passes were the strongest part of the test, and both earned 7.5s from C and M.

Next Up: The Championship

Across the careers of this year's ten finalists, the Grand Prix winner went on to win the Freestyle nearly 95% of the time, so history is on Gino's side. His Freestyle record makes it difficult to argue. He and INXS are the only pairs in the field with a Freestyle PB over 76%.

When these finalists have ridden a better-than-usual Grand Prix in the past, their Freestyle has come in at or above average 89% of the time. Tonight, Deligdish and Carpe Diem De Massa beat their career average by the most, 2.011 points, followed by Gino at 1.468 and Finley at 0.606.

"I am so ready," Vaughn said of Saturday. "We cannot wait."

It cuts the other way, too. A below-average Grand Prix has usually meant a below-average Freestyle, typically by about a point. That's a warning for Nadine Schwartsman and Royal Flash R, 0.963 below their average tonight, and for Michael Klimke and Harmony's Dante's Peak, 0.519 below.

The Freestyle starts at 5 p.m. PT Saturday and streams free on ClipMyHorse.TV.

More from the Final

Four to FollowGeñay VaughnGinoRead →	Four to FollowDevon KaneVamosRead →
Four to FollowAli PotaskyINXSRead →	Four to FollowKristina Harrison-AntellFinleyRead →

Watch GuideHow to Follow the FinalEvery way to watch, read and keep score from Thermal.Read the guide →