Congratulations are in order for Grand Prix dressage rider Jessica Jo Tate and her new fiancé, Richard Malmgren. Malmgren, 37, who works as Hassler Dressage’s sales and marketing representative, popped the question on Feb. 26 while the couple was on a “non-horsey” weekend trip to Key West, Fla.

Malmgren planned the whole weekend ahead of time. Unbeknownst to Tate, he’d already asked for her father’s blessing over the Christmas holiday.

“I think that she had an idea what was going on,” he said of his fiancée. “She probably figured it out because the destination was romantic. But I definitely think there was an element of surprise.”

Malmgren took Tate, 33, to Key West’s Mallory Square, where large groups of people gather each evening for a “sunset celebration.”

“I thought, ‘I wonder if he’s going to ask me,’” said Tate, “but I knew he wouldn’t do it in front of all those people. So we walked away and watched the rest of the sunset, and then all of the sudden, he got down on one knee. I started to cry. I never thought I’d be that girl who cried!”

The couple, who’ve been dating for more than 1½ years, met while Tate was training with Scott Hassler, president and director of training at Hassler Dressage. Malmgren is originally from Sweden and came to the United States in 1996 and began working with Hassler at Hilltop Farm in Colora, Md.

“As I started to get to know Richard, I would think to myself, ‘God, that is such a good guy,’” said Tate. “We just connected on so many levels, and we both had a passion about dressage and horses.”

Although she’s juggling lessons, horse shows and clinics, Tate has given some thought to her wedding day. “I’d love to have an outdoor wedding,” she said. “I think we have the location narrowed down to either a destination wedding, something small with our families, or Maryland, so we can have a big wedding and invite all our friends and family and clients.” Both Tate and Malmgren live in Chesapeake City, Md.

Malmgren confirmed that immediately after the proposal, the bride-to-be called her parents and two sisters to tell them the news. Texts were sent to Tate’s team, her friends and clients.

“I never believed anyone when they said, ‘You’ll know when it’s right,’” said Tate. “But it’s true; with him I did. It’s all so exciting.”