Cherry on Top for Nick Haness in Platinum Performance USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championship
Hunters took to the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring at Traverse City Horse Shows for a spectacular end to a winning week for Nick Haness of Temecula, CA. After sweeping the Green Incentive Regional Championships earlier in the week, Haness piloted Cavaletto Loma Z to victory in the $25,000 Platinum Performance USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championship, hosted by Flintfields Horse Park.
The Platinum Performance USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championships were created to showcase the tradition and art of horsemanship in the hunter competition arena. Traverse City Horse Shows hosts one of six regional championships throughout the country, all leading to the Platinum Performance USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, in August.
“Cavaletto Loma Z is a partner I’ve had for years with many derby wins under his belt,” said Haness, who piloted three horses in the evening’s event. “He was probably one of the most experienced horses in the class, so I thought I would go for the high options, do the tight turns and gallop where we could. I feel really confident on him, and I hope these successes continue.”
Competitors took to a classic hunter course, followed by the top twelve returning for a handy test, both created by course designer Rick Cram of Aiken, SC. Haness returned for the handy tied for first on Cavaletto Loma Z, owned by West Coast Equine Partners, and another mount Euphoric, owned by Wade Equestrian Farms.
The regional championship was judged by two panels with Ginny Edwards and Mark Bone sitting on the first and Bob Crandell and William Sparks on the second. They threw the same score of 101 for Cavaletto Loma Z in the handy, which was combined for a 202 and paired with a 187 from the classic round. Totaling 389, the score secured the win for Haness and the 11-year-old Chellano Alpha Z gelding.
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