(Elk Grove, CA) November 29, 2011 – One on the East Coast, one on the West Coast, the charismatic stallion and the dedicated young rider have been building their skills and accomplishments for the time when the two talents would merge into a team. That time has come and the future is looking fierce.
Ten-year-old Hanoverian stallion Donarweiss (De Niro-Hohenstein-Archipel) and 17-year-old Genay Vaughn began their partnership last month when Starr Vaughn Equestrian, Inc., Michele and Greg Vaughn, of Elk Grove, CA, purchased the black stallion from Greengate Farm through his breeding management team at Hilltop Farm, Colora, MD.
“We are proud to bring Donarweiss into our barn and extremely excited about the future for him and Genay,” says Michele Vaughn.
Successfully working her way through the ranks from Pony Club to junior-level dressage and now in Young Rider competition, Genay holds her USDF Bronze and Silver Medals. Just this fall she won the USDF/USEF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Finals at the Great American/USDF Region 7 Championships, riding the Starr Vaughn mare Waranja, and is looking forward to competing in USDF/USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals.
Her new partner Donarweiss has for the past six years successfully risen through the levels under the tutelage of Hilltop Farm Trainer Chris Hickey. During that time he has climbed from the 2004 USDF Horse of the Year for Three Year Old Colts & Geldings and Champion of his 30-day Stallion Performance Test, to this year debuting at Grand Prix when he earned a median average of 65.16% and is ranked 3rd for USDF All-Breeds Awards, and 28th in Horse of Year standings.
The pair was an immediate fit, according to Chris, who praised Genay for how beautifully she rode the 16 hand stallion. “I expect this combination to be very competitive in the Young Rider and Brentina Cup divisions. They make a truly lovely picture.”
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A high school senior with plans to become a veterinarian, Genay is now taking the time to get to know the stallion, and she says, “I love his personality – he’s very sweet, and a fun horse to ride. I’m looking forward to showing him.”
Genay has her sights set on the 2012 FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park. In both 2009 and 2010, Genay represented USDF Region 7 on the Junior Team, notably achieving a 2010 silver medal team finish, as well as 7th individually and 4th in the freestyle. In both 2009 and 2010 she also competed in the Collecting Gaits Farm/ USEF Festival of Champions Junior Division, winning 3rd place both years.
Genay clinics with Jan Ebeling, who anchored the gold medal U.S. dressage team at the 2003 Pan American Games, and recently participated in the Platinum Performance/USDF Region 7 JR/YR Clinic with USEF National Youth Coach Jeremy Steinberg held at Starr Vaughn Equestrian.
Intelligent, athletic, and charismatic describe Donarweiss and his offspring, according to Hilltop Farm Breeding Manager Natalie DiBerardinis. His offspring are consistently winning at breed shows around the nation and the filly Dior CCF is the 2011 USDF Horse of the Year for weanling fillies. In 2012 breedings to Donarweiss will continue to be available via frozen semen through Hilltop Farm.
Starr Vaughn Equestrian is one of California’s premier boarding and event facilities which has hosted USEF/USDF Trainer Conferences and Clinics. Year round events include Pony Club rallies, hunter/jumper rated and schooling shows, and USEF/USDF/CDS dressage shows. Visit www.svequestrian.com for more information.
