Nick Haness Reclaims the Spotlight in $30,000 WCHR Professional Finals

Nick Haness once again proved why he’s one of the best in the business. The Temecula, California–based rider captured his second career win in the $30,000 World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Professional Finals, presented by World Wide Technology, adding another major title to his ever-growing résumé.

The WCHR Professional Finals is unlike any other class of the year. The nation’s top four hunter riders—Haness, Amanda Steege, Geoffrey Hesslink, and John French—each competed on four unfamiliar horses, testing their adaptability, instincts, and finesse. From an original group of donated mounts, seven horses were selected for a schooling round before four advanced to the main event. For the first time, the final round featured a handy course on borrowed horses, designed by Ken Krome, Meghan Rawlins, and Joe Carnicom, complete with a clever bounce option to challenge the finalists.

The lineup of horses included:

• Daily Planet, a 2016 Oldenburg gelding (Diacontinus x Quaid I), owned by Marlene Holland
• O’Neal, a 2018 Warmblood gelding (Braveheart x Maui La Silla), owned by Valerie Renihan
• Klutch, a 2018 Hanoverian gelding (Diacontinus x Cash & Carry), owned by Caitlyn Gidley
• Ton Amie van Spieveld, a 2019 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Le Blue Diamond x Dancier), owned by Ellie Goodfriend

Haness started his evening aboard Ton Amie van Spieveld, where an early rail left him with a modest 87. But the momentum only grew from there. With each new horse, Haness seemed to click faster and ride sharper, culminating in a show-stopping final round aboard Daily Planet that earned a 95.33—the highest score of the night. His combined total of 371.65 sealed the victory by an impressive seven-point margin.

Amanda Steege showcased remarkable consistency, earning scores over 90 in every round and finishing second with 364.31. Steege credited her strategy of quietly connecting with each horse before entering the ring. Geoffrey Hesslink rounded out the top three with 355.99, rebounding beautifully in round three with a strong trip aboard Daily Planet, while John French secured fourth on a high note, scoring 95 in the third round aboard Ton Amie van Spieveld for a total of 345.99.

For his win, Haness was presented with the All The Way Perpetual Trophy, donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lisa Burke Horkan. Daily Planet, who posted the top scores across all rounds, was awarded The Far West Farms Perpetual Trophy as the horse with the highest final average.

With poise, precision, and a touch of flair, Haness once again proved that when it comes to adaptability and style, few can match his mastery in the hunter ring.

Photo by Pexel