Haness Sweeps the Podium in the $25,000 Hunter Classic Sponsored by Green River Farm at the 2023 Hampton Classic Horse Show
Orlando Wins $5,000 Mane ’n Tail Hunter Rider Challenge
Twenty-one horse-and-rider combinations turned out for the new $25,000 Hunter Classic Sponsored by Green River Farm in the beautifully manicured Aspinall Hunter Ring at the 48th annual Hampton Classic on Thursday. Nick Haness of Temecula, CA, ultimately proved the one to beat as he swept the podium with his three mounts, Caristo, Queen Celeste and Private Practice.
The Hampton Classic, August 27-September 3, is one of the world’s most prestigious horse shows, featuring competitors at every level from young children in leadline to Olympic, World, and World Cup Champions. The Classic also has competitions for riders with disabilities.
Scoring a total of 187 points over the $25,000 Hunter Classic’s two-round test, Haness claimed top honors aboard Caristo, John & Stephanie Ingram LLC’s 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding. He also presented Glade Run Farm LLC’s Queen Celeste, a 12-year-old Holsteiner mare, for a second-place score of 186 points. His 180-point combined score on Private Practice, John & Stephanie Ingram LLC’s 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding, earned third.
“It was pretty exciting to ride Caristo and the others in this class,” Haness said. “It was a beautiful and fun day for a hunter classic. Riding around the ring here is always special. I think any time you have a successful ride is a good day, and to ride out with a 96 (in the first round) is super exciting.
“Caristo is a new ride for me and just an exceptional horse,” he added. “I think the atmosphere was fun with everyone watching as well as a bit of a challenge with the shadows coming out this afternoon. Going into the second round on a 96 added a little pressure, but I just focused on putting in a nice, consistent round to pull off a second nice score and ultimately the win.”
Haness and his mounts walked away with additional titles as the hunter judges continued to name division champions throughout the day. Private Practice earned the Ollywear Performance Hunter 3’3” Section A Championship, while Queen Celeste reigned supreme in the Performance 3’6” Hunter division.
“Queen Celeste is an amazing horse,” Haness said. “I’ve never shown her on grass before. It was a new element for us, and I think it made her jump that much better. She was great in the Hunter Classic, coming in especially sharp for the second round knowing we had to catch her barnmate’s score. She really came in this week and gave me every ounce of her heart, jumping phenomenally well.”
In the Ollywear Performance Hunter 3’3” Section B, Geoffrey Hesslink of Shelburne, VT, piloted Lily Sonneborn’s She’s All That to the championship title.
Read more:
Orders of Go & Results (hamptonclassic.com)
