Nick Haness Won Three Championships in Hunter Divisions at WEF

Details: February 16, 2024; By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--Nick Haness of Temecula, Calif., won three championships on Thursday, Feb. 15 during the World Championship Hunter Rider week at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Nick Hanesson Circa Sportfot Nick Haness on Circa (Photo by Sportfot)Throughout the week, hunters in all divisions will be featured as amateurs, juniors, and professionals try to qualify for Saturday night’s $100,000 WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular.

The 3’6” Green Hunter division was held in a California Split format where each class had two sets of results as well as two overall division champions and reserve champions.

Nick Haness on Circa, was Section A Champion of the 3’6” Green Hunters.

“Circa is the most incredible horse, and I just have so much love for her,” Haness said. “I was fortunate enough to import her from Europe as a 5-year-old and continue to be part of her life and her journey. She has been very successful through the pre-greens and now as a first year horse because she is a truly exceptional mare.”

The mare received the highest scores both Wednesday and Thursday with results of 93 and 94, respectively and also won the under saddle to clinch the division title.

“WE HAVEN'T shown her a lot this year because we were getting her primed and ready for this important week, and I feel like it has really paid off,” said Haness, who splits his time between competing in California and Florida during the winter season. “She has a beautiful expression, and she jumps in textbook form every time. I’m so honored to continue to be a part of her career and her life, she is very special to me.”

“I have two buys into the class already this week, so I can choose from a lot of horses which is a great place to be but it’s also difficult to decide,” he said of his many top mounts. “As today winds down, we’ll see how everyone has done and who feels ready. This was her first time jumping in the International Arena and she felt incredibly brave and confident – even loving the atmosphere – so I’m pretty confident that she could be one of my better choices to use in the class.”

Jennifer Hannan on Frosted, was Section B Champion of the 3’6” Green Hunters with first and third placings over fences and a win in the under saddle.

Holly Orlando of Wellington, Fla., on Macallan was reserve champion in section A, and Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, Fla., on Southland, was Section B reserve champion.

With a staggering 119 contenders in the 3’6” Performance Hunter Stake, Haness rode the champions of both Section A and Section B, Romeo and Queen Celeste, respectively.

Romeo scored a leading total of 36 points throughout two days of competition for the title. and Queen Celeste had a total of 23 points

Christopher Payne of Cincinnati, Ohio was the Section A Reserve Championship on Can Can, and Amanda Steege of Califon, N.J., on Lafitte De Muze was the Section B Reserve Champion.

Champions on Thursday.

Green Conformation Hunter
Geoffrey Hesslink & Monarchy

WRMC High Performance Conformation Hunter
Scott Stewart & California Love

ESP 3’3” Open Hunter
Laura Bowery & Capote

Platinum Performance 3’ Green Hunter
Geoffrey Hesslink & HWF Valentine
Victoria Colvin & Hillsborough Bay

Antarès 3’3” Green Hunter
John French & Encanto

Equine Tack & Nutritionals 3’9” Green Hunter
Christopher Payne & Atlas

Turnham Green High Performance Hunter
Nick Haness & Jenkins

FarmVet 3’3” Performance Hunter
Nick Haness & Dinner At 8, Geoffrey Hesslink & Belle

ActivoMed 3 & 4 Year-Old Pre-Green Hunter
Brianne Goutal-Marteau & Valerian

USHJA 2’ Hunter
Sarah Sturges & Zephyr

USHJA 2’3” Hunter
Merry Harding & Exactly