WELLINGTON, Fla.--Nick Wagman on Don John scored another personal best, this time a 77.319 percent, to win the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI3* on Saturday, March 6 at the Global Dressage Festival, marking another top placing this week for Wagman.

Nick Wagman on Don John (Photo by Susan Stickle)“This one hasn’t sunk in yet,” said 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 said that “DJ” was hot in warmup, but handled it all like a pro.

“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," said Wagman. "I went in and was like, ‘Ok, 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.”

 

WAGMAN has been riding Don John for several years, and he began competing him internationally in 2015.

“We’ve been through so much,” he said. “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.”

Second place in the Grand Prix Special went to Susan Dutta on Figeac DC, earning a personal best with 71.447 percent, while Canadian Diane Creech on Chrevi’s Christo finished third with a 71.277 percent.