Traverse City, MI – June 14, 2025—Hunters took to the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring at Traverse City Horse Shows for a spectacular end to a winning week for Nick Haness of Temecula, CA. After sweeping the Green Incentive Regional Championships earlier in the week, Haness piloted Cavaletto Loma Z to victory in the $25,000 Platinum Performance USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championship, hosted by Flintfields Horse Park.
The Platinum Performance USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championships were created to showcase the tradition and art of horsemanship in the hunter competition arena. Traverse City Horse Shows hosts one of six regional championships throughout the country, all leading to the Platinum Performance USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, in August.
“Cavaletto Loma Z is a partner I’ve had for years with many derby wins under his belt,” said Haness, who piloted three horses in the evening’s event. “He was probably one of the most experienced horses in the class, so I thought I would go for the high options, do the tight turns and gallop where we could. I feel really confident on him, and I hope these successes continue.”
Competitors took to a classic hunter course, followed by the top twelve returning for a handy test, both created by course designer Rick Cram of Aiken, SC. Haness returned for the handy tied for first on Cavaletto Loma Z, owned by West Coast Equine Partners, and another mount Euphoric, owned by Wade Equestrian Farms.
The regional championship was judged by two panels with Ginny Edwards and Mark Bone sitting on the first and Bob Crandell and William Sparks on the second. They threw the same score of 101 for Cavaletto Loma Z in the handy, which was combined for a 202 and paired with a 187 from the classic round. Totaling 389, the score secured the win for Haness and the 11-year-old Chellano Alpha Z gelding.
In the irons of Euphoric, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Cornet Obolensky, Haness combined a 187 and 196 for a 383 total and second place. Rounding out the podium placings, Erica Quinn of Wellington, FL, piloted 6-year-old Small Promise to a score of 360 for owner Elle Gibbs.
“My frame of mind for the handy was to go for it,” exclaimed Haness. “We’re gearing up for the finals coming up in Kentucky, so my plan was to not play it safe. It’s great to be here in the International Ring at Traverse City; it’s a beautiful environment and the horses go great here.”
When asked where in the handy course Cavaletto Loma Z was especially impressive, Haness said, “The two-stride past the gate rolling back inside a spooky jump was a gamble, but I thought my horses should practice something a little bit challenging and out of their comfort zone. Once I got past that point of the course, I took a breath and knew that they’d be okay over the last few jumps.”
After a banner week, Haness concluded by saying, “I’m ecstatic with how well my horses are going. We took a break to gear up for this show and the rest of the summer here in Michigan. I’m proud of the year we’ve had so far. Keeping my horses in condition and winning shape is something we strive to do daily, so it’s rewarding for me to have it come to fruition and have the horses go as well as they did this week.”
The Traverse City Spring Series, presented by Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel, continues through June 29 and features three weeks of FEI jumper competition, weekly hunter derbies, including the International Hunter Derby Regional Championships, in addition to the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championships and the Markel/USHJA Platinum & Zone Jumper Team Championships.
For complete results of the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championship, click here.
About Traverse City Horse Shows (TCHS)
Traverse City Horse Shows (TCHS) is a premier destination for summer equestrian events in North America, hosting 13 weeks of world-class competitions, including 12 weeks of FEI-ranked events. Nestled in the scenic landscape of Williamsburg, Michigan—just 15 minutes from downtown Traverse City—TCHS attracts elite equestrian talent from around the globe to Flintfields Horse Park—a venue that seamlessly blends top-tier sport with the natural beauty and vibrant culture of Northern Michigan.
For more information on the season, visit TraverseCityHorseShows.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
