Haness Has His Heyday in $100,000 WCHR West Coast Hunter Spectacular
Nick Haness has been racking up top results nationwide, and he added another major victory to his belt Friday evening as he secured the win in the $100,000 WCHR West Coast Hunter Spectacular aboard Lindsay Maxwell’s HH Elmo.
“He used to be a jumper,” Haness, of Temecula, CA, said of his partner, a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood (Verdi x Padinus). “He was a grand prix horse in his previous life and converted to being a hunter, and Lindsay Maxwell shows him in the Amateur-Owner Hunter division as well. We’ve been showing for about two years together now and he has done some derbies, we’ve shown on the East coast with him. He’s been a spectacular partner and a horse that wants to come in and win every time.”
The pair led wire to wire, jumping fabulously over round one in the Grand Prix Arena to a score of 89, taking the lead and holding it as the top 12 were invited back for the evening portion and handy round of the event.
Last to return, Haness knew the stakes were high but he had some points to spare. Leaving nothing to chance, he took all the risks he could and was well rewarded with high scores yet again, earning a 91.5 for round two and a 180.5 two-round total.
“To win this class tonight is very special to me being that I am from California and a West Coast supporter,” Haness continued. “I have never won this class before so it is a big, exciting win for me in my career. I have participated several times in this class on the West Coast and I have actually shown in this class in Wellington before. To win it tonight is very exciting and a really awesome win tonight.”
HH Elmo felt the electricity and atmosphere in the Grand Prix Arena Friday evening. He walked into the arena and whinnied before taking to his business. “He comes in and lets the crowd know that he’s here to party and here to win,” Haness explained. “I was just here to be his partner tonight and let him do all the special jumping.
“He’s just been phenomenal to ride and always gives a 10 out of 10,” Haness remarked about HH Elmo. “He’s so much fun, very brave, and obviously very scopey with the jumper background so this is a fun stage for him to demonstrate all his talents.”
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