American Grand Prix rider Genay Vaughn had to say goodbye to her international small tour ride Fleur Noir WSHS.
Fleur Noir WSHS was a 12-year old American Hanoverian mare by Furstenball out of Wakanova WSHS (by Weltmeyer x ). She was bred by Lawrence and Janet Jones of West Sierra Hanoverian Sport Horses.
First Shows
The black mare was first shown in public as a yearling, handled by breeder Janet Jones, at the 2015 Golden State Dressage breed show.
She made her national show debut as a 4-year old in 2018 under Sandy Savage, who took her from training level to first level through 2019. In the summer of 2019 Johanna Oberhauser showed her at First level once, before the mare sold to Michele and Genay Vaughn of Elk Grove, CA.
Genay Vaughn
Genay took the black mare from first Level to Intermediaire I in three years time. They debuted at third level in March 2020, moved to Fourth in 2021 and did their first Prix St Georges test in November 2021. Their international debut in the Prix St Georges test was in March 2022 in Wellington and they rode their first national Inter I in July 2022 . They became members of the Kundrun USEF Dressage Development Program. In 2022 they were the USDF Region 7 Reserve Champion in Intermediate I.
Genay moved the mare up to national Inter II level in the autumn of 2024 and continued to compete her in several Intermediaire II classes in California through 2025; their last show being the Region 7 Championships in September 2025, winning the Inter II with 68.015%.
Untimely Passing
Unfortunately, Fleur Noir WSHS unexpectedly passed away.
"I am completely heartbroken and in shock," Vaughn stated. "It was truly an honor to train her all the way to Grand Prix. She was one of the smartest, most special horses I have ever had the privilege to own and ride."
Photos © Terri Miller - Sue Stickle
Related Link
Genay Vaughn and Fleur Noir WSHS Get $25,000 Anne L. Barlow-Ramsay Grant for U.S.-Bred Horses