Nick Wagman and Don John Capture USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship Title

Nick Wagman (San Diego, CA.) and Don John captured the USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship. He and the 11-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Beverly Gepfer earned a 76.140 in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle for overall score of 73.287 percent. “What a way to end the season. It's really exciting. Last year was our first real season of Grand Prix, so a year later we're more confirmed, stronger, and more settled in the test. We went to Europe, and that did a lot for our confidence as well, so I think it's all just starting to show in the ring here, which is great,” said Wagman, who was the 2018 USEF Grand Prix Dressage Reserve Champion with Don John.

Photo - Nick Wagman and Don John (SusanJStickle.com)

Anna Marek (Williston, FL.) and Dee Clair, Diane Morrison’s 11-year-old KWPN mare, earned the reserve title with an overall score of 69.294 percent. Jennifer Schrader-Williams (Yelma, WA.) and Millione, Millione Partners LLC’s 16-year-old Danish gelding placed third with an overall score of 69.030 percent.

As part of the winning honors, Wagman was presented with the United States Equestrian Team Foundation (USET) Grand Prix Trophy presented to the USET by Franklin Mint in 1978. In addition he was awarded The Patsy Albers Award. This award is presented to the highest placed rider in the Grand Prix division who represented the U.S. at the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships. The award provides financial support for continuing education and training.

Complete Results

On competing at the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions

Marek: “I've always wanted to show here. It's been a goal of mine to compete at the Festival Of Champions. Claire is such a good girl, … so it was a big deal to qualify [two] horses to be able to come here, especially at Grand Prix with Clair because I've been with her for a very long time, known her for a long time, and she always just tries hard. She always exceeds our expectations.”

Scharader-Williams: “It's always such an honor to be here at this show. Every year that I can bring a horse along and make it again is very wonderful, and I enjoy it very much. So hopefully we'll be back again next year.”

Relive the 2019 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions on USA Dressage Facebook where you can find winning rides and daily photo galleries. Watch on demand content from the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions on USEF Network with promo code FESTIVAL19.