Nick Wagman and Don John ©SusanStickle.

Wellington, FL – March 6, 2021 – The Adequan® Global Dressage Festival continued on Saturday, March 6, marking another top placing this week for the USA’s Nick Wagman and Don John in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI3*, presented by The Dutta Corp. Wagman and Don John, Beverly Jean Gepfer’s 2008 KWPN gelding by Johnson TN, claimed another personal best, this time a 77.319%, which brought tears of joy to the Californian’s eyes after a week of winning performances.

“This one hasn’t sunk in yet,” revealed Wagman. “I think it’s going to take a moment to process this! I was more concerned about the rain all day and then to go and pull off a ride like this is just WOW! A lot of credit goes to him; he really pulled it together, and we didn’t let each other down… or I didn’t let him down; that’s a better way to put it.”

The middle of the class was put on an hour-long hold due to rain, and Wagman explained that “DJ” was hot in warmup, but handled it all like a pro.

Wagman reviewed, “I went in there and DJ was really hot in the warmup and it was a little muddy from the rain, but as soon as I went into that arena, he was just totally with me. I went in and was like, ‘Okay, we got this!’ For me, it’s just about trying to ride a clean test, and actually I think I pushed for a little more brilliance, and that all seemed to kind of fall into place today.”

The pair has been together for several years and began competing internationally together in 2015. Their partnership has had its share of obstacles, but Wagman noted that their journey together means more to him than he could truly comprehend.

“We’ve been through so much,” he expressed. “He’s just so amazing. I’m filled with emotion. We’ve come from first level to this. We have been through the wringer and back. Just when you think you’re back on track, something else happens, so we’ve just had this rollercoaster ride. It could all change tomorrow, but just to know that we really can do it feels amazing.”

For more information and results, please visit www.GlobalDressageFestival.com.

Nick Wagman and Don John ©SusanStickle.

Wellington, FL – March 4, 2021 – The 2021 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) resumed competition with AGDF 8 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL on Thursday, March 4, and welcomed a victory in the FEI Grand Prix for Special CDI3*, presented by The Dutta Corp., for the USA’s Nick Wagman and Don John.

Wagman and Beverly Jean Gepfer’s 2008 KWPN gelding by Johnson TN, Don John, notched their second personal best score of the 2021 AGDF season with a 74.478%, almost four points higher than second place finisher Jessica Howington (USA) and her own Cavalia.

“He was really with me the whole time today,” began Wagman. “Normally I get a few nerves in the Grand Prix because it’s the first test of the show, but I didn’t have any today. I even came out and said to Debbie [McDonald] that this is the first time I haven’t had any nerves in a long time. DJ just felt solid, so I was able to actually think about my riding while I was in there and actually work on the details that I can sometimes gloss over because I’m just trying to get through it.”

Wagman continued, “I haven’t watched the video yet, but the piaffe and passage work felt pretty reliable today. My right pirouette felt super. I made the mistake in the ones today, and that was just all me. I got to the end and was like, ‘Oh, don’t make a mistake!’ and I ended up overriding. But overall, it was a pretty honest test, so I am pleased with it.”

The pair had a successful ride in the FEI Grand Prix for Special CDI3*, presented by CabanaCoast, during AGDF 5, but had to withdraw from the Special. After a low-key week, Wagman picked training back up and has shifted his original plan for the remainder of the winter season.

Wagman explained, “We had rotten luck the past two shows, so hopefully we are done with that and we get to get through this show with some success. We extended our trip, and we’ll stay through the end of March. Then we will go back home and if we need a third score, we will go out to Rancho Marietta in California.”

For more information and results, please visit www.GlobalDressageFestival.com.

Nick Wagman and Don John ©SusanStickle.

Wellington, FL – February 11, 2021 – The 2021 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) continued competition during AGDF 5 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL on Thursday, February 11, with a win for the USA’s Nick Wagman and Don John in the FEI Grand Prix CDI 3* for Special, presented by CabanaCoast.

Riding to a personal best score of 73.848%, Nick Wagman and Beverly Jean Gepfer’s 2008 KWPN gelding by Johnson TN didn’t let their nerves hinder their day’s performance.

“This is our first real show in a year, so we were both nervous,” Wagman began. “Don John was pretty hot in there, but he knows his job, so I think that was his biggest strength, despite the fact that I was nervous. He didn’t let me down. I just watched the video [before the awards ceremony], and there are always things that you want to do better. I felt like he was exuberant but he did look fairly controlled when I watched the re-play. I’m glad that I got this one under my belt, so now we can really focus on getting our confidence back.”

Wagman continued, “He’s been around the block a few times now, coming to Florida, so he knows the routine. I was a little surprised at how hot he was in the warmup, but I think it’s just a weird time of day for us to ride, because he’s been such a Steady Eddie since we’ve been here.”

Wagman has his hopes set on the Tokyo Olympics, and his overall plan here in Florida will cater to that goal, but this week, the pair is working on having a solid start in the FEI ring after almost a year away. “There was a lot riding on today because I’m trying to get qualified for the five star, so I just need to get through this weekend. My number one goal is to have a successful show where we both get our confidence up, and I do what I need to do, and move on to the next one. To win like this is a wonderful bonus.”

For more information and results, please visit www.GlobalDressageFestival.com.