Haness and McQueen Claim Three-Peat Victory in $100,000 USHJA WCHR Central Hunter Spectacular

Traverse City, Mich.—June 27, 2024—Sunday, June 23 was one for the USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider history books as Nick Haness continued his reign with McQueen, claiming the 2024 $100,000 USHJA WCHR Central Hunter Spectacular in a record-breaking three-peat victory. The Temecula, California-based rider secured his third consecutive Spectacular during the Traverse City Spring Series on a two-round average of 89.56.

"I feel completely spectacular at the moment, to be honest. It's an amazing feeling," said Haness of his grand slam triumph. "I try not to think about those statistics before a class this big and this exciting but now that it's all said and done and the results are in... It's an incredible feeling, so exciting. And I think you can't even fathom how amazing it is and how much you hope and dream this moment could come true someday."

Rick Cram's Classic Round course saw 44 combinations take to the International Ring under the eyes of judges Rob Bielefeld, Bob Crandall, Jeremy Green, and Tyler Smith, with the top 12 returning for the Playoff Handy Round. Heading into the second round sitting in fifth, Haness and McQueen had to give it their all if the tricolor was to be theirs at the culmination of the evening. The pair's Classic Round score of 87.13 put them securely behind Geoffrey Hesslink's almost 4-point lead on Monarchy.

In what proved to be a technical second round, the leaderboard shuffled and the winning duo rose to the occasion—and the top of the class—by adding a score of 92 to their total. 

"It's been a fun journey with McQueen, especially in these big, important events. This horse knows when it's time to shine. He knows it's a special day, a special event, and he kicks into another gear," said Haness of his mount, owned by Walkenbach Equestrian LLC. "I think something that he exemplifies so perfectly is the true Hunter. He can gallop the ring on a loose rain, get to the jump, and give you this expressive, huge textbook-style jump, but so scopy and so effortless."

The win marks Haness's third Spectacular win in 2024, having topped the West Coast iteration with Golden Road and the Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular with McQueen earlier this year. 

"The teams behind all of these horses make it possible for me to be in this position," said Haness. "I'm able to come in and ride these horses and produce these rounds, but it's all behind-the-scenes work with all the owners that own them and the caretakers, the grooms, the vets, everybody that's in the background also deserves a lot of credit for all these horses and how well they performed here."

"It's so important to showcase Hunters in this light. You know there's Grand Prix weekly, there's big events, big money classes, but the Hunter sport needs these classes like this and needs to have this atmosphere for owners to get excited and for the riders to get excited and be energetic about preparing for this," he continued.

After claiming the Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby North Central Regional Championship earlier in the week, Jacob Pope, of Columbia, Maryland, piloted Iwasaki & Reilly's Small Love to the reserve honors. With a combined average of 88.50, the pair rose from sixth to finish behind Haness. Greg Crolick, of Clarkston, Michigan, and Jon Cotton’s Testify collected third with an 86.13.

The USHJA sends special thanks to the entire Traverse City Horse Shows team for hosting the Spectacular, to Official Sponsors CWD, Nutrena, and Parlanti for their support, and to Awards Sponsor Essex Classics. 

For more information about the USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider Program, visit ushja.org/WCHR.

$100,000 USHJA WCHR Central Hunter Spectacular Results

Horse, Rider, Owner

Round 1 Avg. | Round 2 Avg. | Final Score

1. McQueen, Nick Haness, Walkenbach Equestrian LLC

87.13 | 92 | 89.56

2. Small Love, Jacob Pope, Iwasaki & Reilly

87 | 90 | 88.5

3. Testify, Greg Crolick, Jon Cotton

85.75 | 86.5 | 86.13

4. Drumroll, Geoffrey Hesslink, Meridian Farm LLC

89.5 | 80 | 84.75

5. Chaperone, Michael Britt-Leon, Emma Lorimer

85.25 | 83 | 84.13

6. Tinkas Boy, Gabrielle Young, Gabrielle Young

85.65 | 82.5 | 84.08

7. Jenkins, Nick Haness, John & Stephanie Ingram, LLC

86 | 79.5 | 82.75

8. Magic Moment, Kate Hagerty, The Hagerty Family

87.5 | 77 | 82.25

9. Circa, Nick Haness, Glade Run Farm LLC

90.5 | 45 | 67.75

10. Fair Game, Michael Britt-Leon, Michael Britt-Leon

84.13 | 50 | 67.06

11. Knowingly, Vivian Yowan, Partridge Hill Equestrian LLC

86 | 40 | 63

12. Monarchy, Geoffrey Hesslink, Shadowfax Equestrian LLC

91 | 0 | 45.5

Photos: Andrew Ryback Photography