California’s Nick Wagman & Ferano Capture Wellington CDI3* Grand Prix Special in Only 2nd Big Tour
4 years ago StraightArrow Comments Off on California’s Nick Wagman & Ferano Capture Wellington CDI3* Grand Prix Special in Only 2nd Big Tour
By KENNETH J. BRADDICK
WELLINGTON, Florida, Jan. 30, 2021–Nick Wagman and Ferano captured the Global Dressage Festival CDI3* Grand Prix Special Saturday in only the second Big Tour competition for the partnership.
Nick of San Diego, California and the 11-year-old Dutch gelding scored 71.638% to lead an American sweep of the top three places.
Benjamin Ebeling of Moorpark, California, and Illuster Van De Kampert placed second on 71.255% after winning the Grand Prix. Susan Dutta of Wellington, Florida on Don Design DC was third on 69.362%.
Like his top mount, Don John, Nick found Ferano (Scandic x Parcival) at five years of age as an amateur prospect for Elizabeth Keadle, a long time supporter and friend.
“He turned out to be a little too feisty,” Nick said, “so I took over the ride and he’s just been showing us more and more talent.”
The pair competed at international Small Tour in 2018 and also in the nationals at Intermediate 1 and then the developing Grand Prix. Their CDI Grand Prix debut was at Thermal, California last November but too many green mistakes kept them out of the ribbons.
But in his second season in Wellington with Don John in pursuit of a place on the U.S. team for the Tokyo Olympics, Nick and Ferano came up winners in the duo’s first CDI in Florida.
“We did it, we did it,” he exclaimed. “I’m still pinching myself. It’s pretty exciting.”
The 47-year-old rider described Ferano as “a really honest horse. We’re both just getting our confidence out there.
“I think as he gets stronger he’s going to be a really solid competitor. He’s really got all the talent.
“He keeps surprising us. So far we haven’t tapped into all of his potential. As he’s getting stronger his frame is coming up and he’s super consistent.”
Nick plans to stay in Florida through the winter circuit to the end of March.
“What a wonderful position,” he said of Don John, a 13-year-old KWPN gelding, “to have a young one coming up behind him.
“We’ve had both since they were five years old. It’s a real joy to train them yourself and get there.”
Results:
CDI3* Grand Prix Special
| Judges: | Kjell Myhre | Anne Prain | Heidi Berry | Mariano Santos Redondo | William Warren | ||||||||
| Pl. | Score | Nation | Athlete | Horse | E | H | C | M | B | ||||
| 1. | 71.638 | USA | Nick Wagman | Ferano | 72.553 | 73.83 | 70.745 | 69.043 | 72.021 | ||||
| 2. | 71.255 | USA | Benjamin Ebeling | Illuster Van De Kampert | 70.426 | 71.064 | 71.489 | 69.574 | 73.723 | ||||
| 3. | 69.362 | USA | Susan Dutta | Don Design DC | 68.723 | 68.085 | 70.106 | 71.277 | 68.617 | ||||
| 4. | 67.787 | CAN | Jill Irving | Arthur | 65.957 | 69.362 | 69.681 | 68.617 | 65.319 | ||||
| 5. | 67.043 | USA | Jessica Howington | Cavalia | 66.702 | 67.128 | 69.149 | 65.319 | 66.915 | ||||
| 6. | 65.426 | USA | Lisa Wilcox | Valando BJ | 63.511 | 65.851 | 64.894 | 65.638 | 67.234 | ||||
| 7. | 65.042 | USA | Dawn White-O’Connor | Bailarino | 63.936 | 67.766 | 64.787 | 65.532 | 63.191 | ||||
| 8. | 62.362 | SUI | Barbara Bertschinger | Sir Schiwago | 62.128 | 65.106 | 63.085 | 61.064 | 60.426 | ||||
| EL. | SWE | Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén | Devanto |
