Nick Wagman
Nick Wagman is a California-based dressage rider. He represented the U.S. at the 2019 FEI Dressage Nations Cup – Geesteren, the Netherlands, and that same year at FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ France where The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team finished in bronze-medal position. On both teams, he rode his longtime partner, Beverly Gepfer’s Dutch Warmblood gelding Don John. In 2019, Wagman won the USEF Developing Horse Grand Prix National Championship with Ferano and the USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship with Don John at the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions.
With Don John, Wagman collected second-place finishes in the CDI3* Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special during week five of the 2020 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF). In 2021, Wagman began the year by winning the CDI3* Grand Prix Special with Ferano during week three of AGDF. He rode Don John to wins in the CDI3* Grand Prix during week five and the CDI3* Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special during week eight at AGDF. Wagman and Don John collected a personal best score of 75.652% in the FEI Grand Prix at the U.S. Dressage Mandatory Observation Event. He was selected and went on to represent the U.S. as a member of the Tokyo Olympic Team.
Nick has a new string of horses that he is currently developing as his future stars. Don John is still working hard to return for the Paris Olympics next year.
Christine Unruh
Christine Unruh began riding at the age of 8, instantly falling in love with horses and the sport. She started her journey with 4-H and Pony Club before ultimately embracing Eventing. At 17, she relocated to the East Coast to work as a student under Jessica and Missy Ransehousen. Initially focused on eventing, Christine soon developed a deep appreciation for Dressage, learning extensively from Jessica Ransehousen, a three-time Dressage Olympian.
Upon returning to the West Coast, she continued her Dressage education and, shortly after acquiring her young horse, connected with Nick Wagman. Since 2015, she has been under Nick’s mentorship, co-managing a training and sales business at Caballos Del Mar in Encinitas, California. Christine has earned her bronze and silver medals and is halfway to achieving her gold medal. She developed her Grand Prix horse from the age of 3 to 13, successfully competing with scores as high as 71% in the I-2 level.
Recently, she sold him to focus on nurturing young horses and expanding her sales business with Nick. In 2021, Christine guided Junior Rider Nicole Ellsworth to the NAYC and the National Championships, achieving a commendable 4th place finish in the country. She finds joy in teaching JR/YR and AA riders who share her passion and devotion to horses.
