There isn’t a WCHR Hunter Spectacular that Nick Haness hasn’t won, and his dominance continued on Saturday in the $100,000 USHJA WCHR Central Hunter Spectacular at the Traverse City Horse Shows Great Lakes Equestrian Festival II. Aboard Odette, the rider soared to a record fourth victory—and second consecutive win—finishing ahead of himself on Clear As Day and Hunt Tosh with Cannon Creek.
“She’s the quality and the star,” said Haness of the standout mare, who captured the 3’/3’3″ Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship in 2024. “I trust this horse so much and we have a bond that’s been building for a long time, so going into this type of event, she’s never let us down. She went in ears forward and jumped great, like a champion.”
Of the 37 horse-and-rider combinations that took to the classic hunter round course at the 3’6”, 3’9” and 4’ heights designed by Meghan Rawlins, it was Haness who set the tone early. The Temecula, California-based rider posted an impressive 96.5 with John and Stephanie Ingram LLC’s Odette to capture an initial lead of 10 points. The margin only lowered thanks to his score of 93 aboard BR Farms LLC’s Clear As Day, who slid into second on the leaderboard. Sitting close behind in third was 2024 USHJA International Hunter Derby Champions Hunt Tosh and The Wheeler Family’s Cannon Creek with a score of 91.
“Coming into the second round with big scores definitely adds an element of pressure,” Haness said. “But I wasn’t nervous. Honestly, just riding her is a privilege.”
As the only pair contesting the 4′ fence height, Tosh, of Milton, Georgia, and Cannon Creek were first to return for the handy round, earning a 92.5 for a two-round average of 91.75. Known for his brilliance in the handy, Haness’ first mount to return was Clear As Day, who scored a 94 to finish on an average of 93.5 and momentarily take the lead. Once again outdoing himself, Haness and Odette sealed the deal with a bold track that earned a 94.75, securing the win with a 95.62 overall.
Watch their winning handy round, courtesy of ClipMyHorse.tv:
The victory marks Haness’ second consecutive win in the WCHR Central Spectacular and his second WCHR Spectacular title of 2025, having topped the West Coast edition aboard Cavaletto Loma Z in March.
“I think my relationship with the horses blossoms in our results,” he said of his impressive WCHR track record. “I care for them, I love them, and it’s about building a plan and preparing for the next—while understanding that each of my horses are different.”
Odette showed spectators at Traverse City her personality in the way she presented herself for a lineup earlier in the week.
“In the conformation under saddle, we went to line up and there was a bush by the one of the jumps that she grabbed and took the whole treat with us to the lineup,” Haness recounted. “Not what they look for in the conformation, but she’s just a funny horse; she’s a character and so much quality. It’s all a blessing.”
