Hunter competition at the Temecula Valley National Horse Show continued Saturday at Galway Downs, highlighting the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby in the evening. A field of 24 competitors entered the ring to try their hand at the first round track and earn a place in the group of 12 asked to return for the shortened handy round. Following a competitive round one that saw plenty of high scores, it was ultimately local trainer Nick Haness who came out on top with Reese’s. Haness proved to be the one to beat, as he also took second place overall with Chamberlain. The youngest rider of the group, Shiloh Roseboom, took the third place ribbon aboard Venice.
Nick Haness and Reese’s. Photo by Phelps Sports
Coming off a big win with Reese’s in April at the Premier week of the Temecula Valley National Horse Show where the pair entered their first $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby and took a commanding win, Haness added to the young hunter’s growing list of accolades Saturday night. The 6-year-old gelding, owned by West Coast Partners, LLC, is making a name for himself as he continues to pick up tricolor ribbons. Haness piloted him to the championship in the Young Hunter 6 and Under division earlier in the week and had multiple blue ribbons in the Green 3’3” Hunter division, as well. As Haness points Reese’s to the Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship in the summer, the pair looks to be in top form as they prepare.
“We actually just started his hunter derby debut a few weeks ago in April here at the first Temecula show, and he won that derby which was really exciting, so now he is two for two,” reflected Hanness. “I was really excited to challenge his young mind tonight because it went late in the afternoon, which can be tough for young horses, but it was a really good opportunity for him to learn and come out and be 100 percent, following my hand and listening to my commands. He kept his marbles all together on kind of a cold evening tonight. I was really glad he got the opportunity to learn from this. He was awesome for me every single step of the way.”
Entering the ring first in the order aboard Reese’s, Haness received a first round score of 85 plus 4 high option points for a total of 89, and came back in the handy and scored an 80 plus 4 for a grand total of 173 to put him in the lead. No stranger to having multiple horses in the same class, Haness effortlessly rode three separate classic and handy rounds, saving the best for last with Reese’s to earn the top score.
Nick Haness and Chamberlain. Photo by Phelps Sports
Haness added to his night’s success with Chamberlain, another entry of West Coast Partners, LLC. The duo received first round scores of 80 plus 4 for a total of 84, and then came back in the second round and rode another smooth round to score 82 plus 4 for a grand total of 170, good enough for the reserve spot overall.
Third place honors were awarded to Roseboom aboard Enchantment Farm, LLC’s Venice. Her recent success in the $10,000 NEE Hunter/Jumper Team Challenge on Friday night in the Audi Grand Prix Arena carried over to the hunter derby ring Saturday as she navigated two smooth, confident rounds. As the youngest rider at just 12 years old, Roseboom’s rounds saw her earn top scores of 79 plus 4 for a cumulative 83 in the first round, and a repeat score of 83 in the second round for a grand total of 166 with Venice.
RESULTS
$5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby
Place / Horse / Rider / R1 Score / R2 Score / Total
1. Reese’s / Nick Haness / 89 / 84 / 173
2. Chamberlain / Nick Haness / 84 / 86 / 170
3. Venice / Shiloh Roseboom / 83 / 83 / 166
4. Barclay Square / Erin Duffy / 86 / 79 / 165
5. Czechers / Shauna Pennell / 85 / 79 / 164
6. The Secret’s Out / Rose Carver / 79 / 84 / 163
7. Double Blind / Ava Lakey / 80.5 / 81 / 161.5
8. Crazy In Love / Molly Hutchinson / 81 / 77 / 158
9. Nutella / Nick Haness / 79.5 / 76 / 155.5
10. Romeo / Erin Duffy / 90 / 59 / 149
11. Shadowfax / Erin Duffy / 82 / 43 / 125
12. Univers Theod / Emma Lindstrom / 80 / 44 / 124