Tears of Joy for Winner Nick Wagman at the 2021 CDI-W Wellington

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2021 CDI-W Wellington

The 2021 Palm Beach Dressage Derby week continued on Saturday, March 6, marking another top placing this week for the USA’s Nick Wagman and Don John in the Grand Prix Special 3*.

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.

Tears of Joy

“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, ‘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.”

Share of Obstacles

The pair has been together for several years and began competing internationally together in 2015. Their partnership has had its share of obstacles, but today 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.”

Second place in the Grand Prix Special 3 went to Susan Dutta (USA) on Figeac DC, Tim and Susan Dutta’s 2009 Oldenburg gelding by Fackeltanz, earning a personal best with 71.447%,while Diane Creech (CAN) and Chrevi’s Christo, Louise Leatherdale and Diane Creech’s 2003 Danish warmblood gelding by Chrevi’s Cavallo, finished in third place with a 71.277%.

Kohmann Makes it a Hattrick

Triple win for Kevin Kohmann and Five Star

Earlier in the day, Germany’s Kevin Kohmann and Equitas LLC’s 2010 KWPN stallion by Amazing Star, Five Star, dominated once more, this time in the FEI Intermediaire-I Freestyle CDI3* with a score of 78.420%. Second place went to the USA’s Cesar Parra on Mr. Bumblebee, Equiventure LLC and John and Karen Blank’s 2008 Danish Warmblood gelding by Sting, with 75.875%. Dong Seon Kim (KOR) rounded out the top three with his own 2012 Rhinelander stallion Lord Nunes by Lord Loxley I, with a score of 73.930%.

Christine Landry (USA) topped the Intermediaire I 1* on her own Santino, a 2009 Hanoverian gelding by Scolari, with 67.510%. Stephen Birchall (USA) earned second place with D’Amore, Joyce Ryder and Birchall’s 2008 KWPN mare by Dayano, riding to a 67.990%. Benjamin Ebeling (USA) took third on Bellini, ACR Enterprises Inc.’s 2009 Hanoverian mare by Bertoli W, with a 66.961%.