Traverse City, MI – July 18, 2025— Friday was derby day in the Highstreet Arena during week three of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF), presented by B&D Builders. Nick Haness of Temecula, CA, topped the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Don Stewart Stables, riding HH Elmo. Haness claimed the derby win for the second week in a row after winning last week’s open derby with Et Cetera during World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) week at Flintfields Horse Park.
The 11th season of GLEF features six weeks of FEI competition running through August 10, showcasing an FEI Nations Cup CSIO3*, the FEI North American Youth Championships and the return of Major League Show Jumping CSI5* competition to Traverse City. Highlights also include the $100,000 USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider Central Spectacular and weekly qualifiers for the all-new $150,000 Traverse City Equitation Championships debuting in September.
Held in a single round hunt-and-go format, Haness had one shot to impress the judges—and on the back of HH Elmo—he was unstoppable.
“HH Elmo makes the impossible possible,” said Haness of the 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Lindsay Maxwell. “In the handy portion, there was one turn that I thought was impossible, but he did it so well.”
The winning combination earned a classic score of 90.5 and climbed to the top with a handy round score of 94, finishing on a total of 184.5.
Following Haness on the leaderboard was Caroline McLeese, of Omaha NE, and Shades of Grey, owned by Fairway Ranch. The pair earned scores of 92 and 91.5 to total 183.5. Closing out the top three was Greg Crolick of Clarkston, MI, and Mon Ami, owned by Medora Boone. Crolick finished on scores of 91.5 and 91.75 to total a close 183.25.
In addition to Haness adding another derby win to his scorecard, Friday’s blue ribbon also marks HH Elmo’s second derby win of the season after also winning during the second week of the Traverse City Spring Series, presented by Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel.
“He’s so happy to come to work and jump. He loves his job,” said Haness of HH Elmo. “We’re just targeting the shows that have main events like this one. After today’s class, he’s going to go back to the farm to turn out, eat some grass, lay low and stay a little fit in between.”
For full results from the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Don Stewart Stables, click here.
From a competitive field of 46 entries in the $10,000 USHJA Jr/Am National Hunter Derby, presented by Makoto Farms, Hunters Edge & Zoology Foundation, Anna Tyler of Raleigh, NC, and Your Welcome BC, owned by Don Stewart, reigned supreme.
Currently sitting at the top of the $5,000 Junior Hunter Rider Bonus Leaderboard, the duo continued their winning ways after topping their first derby during week two of the Traverse City Spring Series.
Tyler and the eight-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding earned hunt-and-go scores of 92 and 92.5, totaling 184.25. Finishing in second was Charlotte Colter of Houston, TX, and Camelia, owned by Ticket to Ride, LLC. The pair earned scores of 88.25 and 92 to total 180.25. Taking third was Presley Wade of Laguna Beach, CA, riding Delano, owned by Gregory Maskrey-Segesman—earning scores of 84.5 and 92.5 to finish on a total of 177.
Rachel Herkowitz and Harmony currently maintain their lead in the $5,000 Leading Amateur Hunter Bonus standings, while Tyler and Your Welcome BC have a commanding lead on the Junior Hunter leaderboard. Both bonus awards are sponsored by Makoto Farm, Hunter’s Edge, and the Zoology Foundation. The winners will be determined next week during GLEF IV.
For full results from the $10,000 USHJA Jr/Am National Hunter Derby, presented by Makoto Farms, Hunter Edge & Zoology Foundation, click here.
Derby action continued in the Vankampen Ring with the $2,500 2’6″ Traverse City Non-Pro Derby, presented by Voltaire Designs. The top call was awarded to Ellie Clarke of Grand Rapids, MI, and her own Dubonnet. The pair scored an 85 in the classic round and an 82 in the handy round for a total of 167.
Derby day reached a pint-sized peak in Vankampen with the $1,500 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby, presented by Kickapoo Ponies. Out of 24 competitors, it was Margaux Winchell of Las Vegas, NV, and Heavenly Patch of Blue, owned by Highland Farm, who took the win. The duo topped the charts with a classic round score of 83 and handy round score of 84 for a 167 total.
Friday competition in the Vankampen wrapped up with the Short Stirrup Hunter Derby, presented by Hoof & Paw Horse Haven. Ginger Golsby of Magnolia, TX, and her own Clint One took the win on scores of 80 and 78.5, totaling 158.5
The $10,000 World Wide Technology Non-Pro Team Jumper Challenge returned for its weekly edition in the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring with six teams competing for the GLEF III title. Team Montega, featuring Eva Montemayor, Grace Majoros, Loretta-Jean Devening and Katie Hackett, stood atop the podium after two rounds of competition. The team established their top placing after member Eva Montemayor jumped off for gold and was the only rider to post a clear.
For Friday’s full results, click here.
About Traverse City Horse Shows
Traverse City Horse Shows (TCHS) offers 13 weeks of top equestrian competition each summer at Flintfields Horse Park in Williamsburg, Michigan—just 15 minutes from downtown Traverse City. The venue blends world-class sport with the natural beauty of Northern Michigan and features 12 weeks of FEI-ranked events, including three five-stars and an FEI Nations Cup CSIO3*.
The season culminates in the three-week Tournament of Champions, highlighted by the $340,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ CSI5*-W—Traverse City and $340,000 American Gold Cup CSI5*. New this year, the $100,000 Dudley and Barb Smith 3’6” Equitation Championship and $50,000 Cherry Capital 3’3” Equitation Championship deliver big prize money and prestige to the equitation ranks.
For more information on the season, visit TraverseCityHorseShows.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
