Nick Haness wins 'Saturday Night Lights' Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular at Winter Equestrian Festival
WELLINGTON — Nick Haness won the "Saturday Night Lights" $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular at the Winter Equestrian Festival.
Haness of Temecula, Calif., and McQueen topped a field of 33 of the nation's best hunter combinations, including 12 in the final round, to win the title for the first time and pocket $30,000. Haness was also fifth with Circa for an additional $6,000 in prize money.
Haness and his 10-year-old Cornet Obolensky Dutch Warmblood gelding finished with a two-round average of 91.81 to clinch the win.
The Hunter Spectacular event is the highlight of WCHR Week held annually at Wellington International. During Week 6 of WEF, McQueen won five champion titles, including Reserve Champion in the High Performance Conformation.
"To win this class for me is very emotional and very exciting," Haness said. "I had a lot of support around the country watching the live stream. My mom was watching, which brought me to tears after the class.
"McQueen has been a horse the last year that's been a strong partnership with me and I'm thrilled to add this to his list of amazing accomplishments."
Competing in the International Arena had a special meaning for Haness and McQueen. It was one of the biggest crowds for the WCHR event.
"As a rider, to feel this vibe, it's buzzing," Haness said. "The turnout was great. It makes you feel like your dreams are coming true. You watch the movies, you watch the Olympics and you see those stands so full. For the hunter sport, it's so important that we have that same experience."
'Backup quarterback' Kate Conover rides Queen Celeste to second place
Ocala's Kate Conover and 13-year-old Holsteiner mare, Queen Celeste, were second with a two-round average of 90.78. Haness usually rides Queen Celeste but Conover was asked to ride her. The pair won $22,000.
"I'm Queen Celeste’s backup quarterback," Conover said. "I've shown her a few other times and her owners were gracious enough to let me ride her tonight."
Wellington's John French was third with 2023 National Horse of the Year Paradigm in 89.72 and fourth with Babylon in 89.25, totaling $21,000 in prize money. French was also impressed with the crowd.
"I've never seen so many people here before ever," French said. "It's a super special class under the lights in this big ring. It's so nice when we get a chance to experience that."
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Also on Saturday, American Ansgar Holtgers and Chanyon won the $140,000 KASK Grand Prix CSI 3 with the only clear round in 74.92 and won $46,200. Germany's Richard Vogel and OO Seven De L'Equipe were second with four faults in 70.85 ($28,000). Belgian Nicola Philippaerts and Derby De Riverland were third with four faults in 72.48 ($21,000).
WEF continues through March 31. This week's highlight is the "Saturday Night Lights" $385,000 FEI 5 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix, the second five-star event of the circuit, and Sunday's $62,500 Hermes 1.50-meter event.
General admission is free. Parking is $20 per car. The venue is located at 3400 Equestrian Club Drive, just off South Shore and Pierson Road. For information call 561-793-5867.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular tops WCHR Week at Winter Equestrian Festival
