Trainers
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.
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.
Alicia Saxton
For Alicia Saxton, starting Oceancrest Farms at the age of 24 was the culmination of years of dedication, inspiration, and hard work. “It is my goal to follow along the path of those I admire and dedicate myself to altering the elements of this sport that I believe can be done in a better way for both horse and rider.”
The goal of Oceancrest Farm’s training program is to embrace an individual’s needs and goals while simultaneously enhancing the training and wellbeing of each horse. For Alicia, creating a balanced program that allows a horse and rider to reach their goals while maintaining the integrity and importance of good, solid training techniques remains paramount over all other aspects.
Alysia Lynch-Sherard
Alysia Lynch-Sherard began riding at the age of six in Toronto Canada. She committed herself to the sport at a very young age and in result was able to have a very successful Junior and Amateur carrier in both the Hunter and Equitation ring. Her hard work and dedication allowed her to show and gain experience at some of the top national and international competitions as well as multiple medal finals in both Canada and in the United States.
A few of Alysia’s top accomplishments include: Capital Challenge Adult Equitation finals Champion, C.E.T Medal regional year end Champion, Ariat National Medal regional year end Champion, Amateur Owner 18-35 Hunter regional year end Champion, The Royal Winter Fair Amateur Owner hunter Reserve Champion, C.E.T Medal regional flat phase winner.Alysia discovered her love of teaching early on when she started as a working student at the age of fifteen. Finding this new passion in a sport she already loved so much Alysia knew that working with horse and rider was what she wanted to do with her life. To continue her growth Alysia decided to make a move to the West Coast to experience something new and further her equestrian Career.