Golden Bachelorette contestant David, a 68-year-old rancher from Austin, Texas, made an unforgettable debut during the premiere of ABC’s latest hit series. Staying true to his Texas roots, David rode in on a horse to impress the golden bachelorette, Joan Vassos. However, what started as a charming grand entrance turned into a hilarious mishap when the horse bolted, leaving David—and everyone else—caught off guard.
Joan, 61, couldn’t help but laugh at the scene, quipping, “Now that’s an entrance!” as the horse galloped away. The other contestants, cocktails in hand, joked about whether David or the horse was the real competitor for Joan’s heart.
After dismounting, David tried to recover the moment by encouraging Joan to meet the horse, but she humorously pointed out, “I think it’s gone.” It wasn’t until he turned around that David realized the situation had escalated. “Oh my God, what happened?” he exclaimed, as the crew scrambled to chase the runaway horse.
Unfortunately for David, his memorable entrance didn’t secure him a rose that evening, and he was eliminated by the end of the episode. Despite his short stint on the show, his humorous debut left a lasting impression on both Joan and viewers at home.
What to Expect from Season 1 of The Golden Bachelorette
ABC has yet to confirm the total number of episodes for The Golden Bachelorette Season 1. Based on past seasons of The Bachelor and The Golden Bachelor, viewers can expect between nine and 13 episodes. For context, the first season of The Golden Bachelor featured nine episodes, followed by a special wedding episode a month after the finale.
Who Is Joan Vassos?
Joan Vassos, the star of ABC’s inaugural season of The Golden Bachelorette, is a 61-year-old private school administrator from Rockville, Maryland. Fans first met Joan during The Golden Bachelor, where she earned a rose but voluntarily left during the third episode to support her daughter, who was facing medical complications after childbirth.
Now, Joan is taking center stage, handing out roses instead of vying for them. Before her TV journey, Joan was married for 32 years to John Vassos, who tragically passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2021 at the age of 59. The couple shared four children, and Joan has spoken about her readiness to embrace a new chapter in life.
Who Is David, the Texan Rancher?
David, a 68-year-old rancher from Austin, Texas, has a life story just as captivating as his horse-riding entrance. For 16 years, David put his dating life on hold to focus on raising his children. Now that they’ve grown and flown the nest, he’s ready to find the love of his life.
In addition to managing his ranch, David is an avid marathon runner and loves spontaneous travel adventures. He credits his 91-year-old mother as his hero and looks to her for inspiration in living life to the fullest.
While David’s journey on The Golden Bachelorette ended early, his bold entrance—and runaway horse—will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the season’s most iconic moments.
