Haness Lands Second USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider Professional Finals Victory

Upper Marlboro, Md.—Oct. 4, 2025—Riding to the top of the $30,000 USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider Professional Finals, Nick Haness scored his second-ever victory in the highly anticipated class, a feature at the Capital Challenge Horse Show on Friday, October 3, at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

The nation’s top three hunter riders—Nick Haness, Geoffrey Hesslink, and John French—were joined by Amanda Steege, winner of the 2025 WCHR Professional Challenge, for a head-to-head four-round class on unfamiliar horses, showcasing skill and adaptability at the highest level. The four horses chosen for the class were: Daily Planet, owned by Marlene Holland; O’Neal, owned by Valerie Renihan; Klutch, owned by Caitlyn Gidley; and Ton Amie van Spieveld, owned by Ellie Goodfriend.

While Haness had a rail on his first horse to score 87, he more than made up for it as his scores in each successive round increased. His highest score of 95.33 came in the final round riding Daily Planet over a course set by Ken Krome, Meghan Rawlins, and Joe Carnicom.

Having walked before they saw the horses school over the first course with their own riders, Haness had a plan but had to completely change it once he saw Daily Planet and talked with its trainer, Michael Britt-Leon.

“That was a curveball, that I didn’t really have a solid plan,” he acknowledged. “I had to go first, and I had all these options with a horse I didn’t know. I went with my gut and tried to listen to what I thought the horse would do the best and what the ultimate best track for the horse was.”

Keeping the horse in mind first is Haness’ intention with every ride, and he enjoyed the opportunity to compete in the WCHR Pro Finals and call upon his catch riding skills again. “This is a very fun class, and I’m fortunate just to be here,” he said. “I think we all are. This is a fun part of our lives, the horses are great, and events like this are special. It can go any which way, so to win this for the second time is a great accomplishment and super fun.”

For second-place finisher Steege, she set the tone with her borrowed rides before even getting in the saddle by carefully watching for specific aspects of the horses as they schooled with their own riders.

“You're looking for their stride length and how they do the lead changes,” she explained. “You see if there is a certain lead that they like to land more or less, if there are any little quirks on the ends of the ring, as well as their jumping style and if they look like they want you to ride them loose or they want you to ride them with a little connection at the base of the jump.”

For Hesslink, who was riding for the fifth time in this class and placed third, what is also key is the communication between the four riders as they discuss each horse after the rounds.

“There is definitely camaraderie,” he noted. “Everyone was quite helpful and trying to compare and talk about which horse went better for someone else.” 

French, who has competed in the WCHR Professional Finals 16 times, keeps an even mindset no matter what happens in the ring. After having an early rail in his first round, he regrouped and had two subsequent scores of 92.33 and 95. French finished in fourth place.

“Usually if I have a rail or something goes wrong, then I’m just super relaxed,” he revealed. “I know that I have to make the rest smooth and not worry about trying to win the class. Then the rest of the course ends up being even better than it would have been.”

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For the win in the WCHR Professional Finals, Haness was presented with the All The Way Perpetual Trophy, donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lisa Burke Horkan. 

“This is my fourth year in a row being the WCHR Professional Rider National Champion, which feels amazing,” concluded Haness. “Qualifying and keeping that lead through this whole week has been a struggle because there are so many quality horses and riders here, and they’re very competitive. I’m so grateful for the support of all my owners, clients, trainers, and mentors in the past that were also here with me tonight or texting saying they’re rooting for me. That was really nice to feel that support. This is my life; this is my world. I love this.”

As the only horse to score in the 90s every round, Daily Planet was honored with The Far West Farms Perpetual Trophy donated by The Karazissis Family for tallying the highest scores in the Finals.

Throughout the week, riders also vied for top honors in the WCHR Challenge classes. In the $50,000 WCHR Professional Challenge, Steege piloted Lafitte de Muze, owned by Cheryl Olsten, to the win and received the Little Brook Perpetual Trophy donated by Gary Duffy. Michael Andrade and Forever Romance, owned by Gochman Sport Horses, secured the $10,000 WCHR Developing Professional Challenge and earned the Bittersweet Perpetual Trophy donated by Rachel Kennedy. Irene Neuwirth topped the $5,000 WCHR Amateur Owner 3’6” Challenge and received the Amateur Owner Challenge Perpetual Trophy donated by the Texas Hunter Jumper Association, aboard her own Scout's Honor. Frosted, ridden and owned by Rindy Dominguez, claimed the $2,500 WCHR Amateur Owner 3’3” Challenge. Erin Morera and Symbolique, owned by Morera Equine LLC, took the win in the $2,500 WCHR Adult Amateur Challenge and accepted the Pat Thompson Memorial Perpetual Trophy donated by Page Tredennick in memory of her mother.

Numerous WCHR awards and trophies were also presented throughout the week. Congratulations to the winners:

  • Derbydown Trophy donated by Louise Serio of Derbydown and awarded to the highest scoring Hunter round by a Professional in the Pro Sections at the Capital Challenge Horse Show - Victoria Colvin and Odette, owned by John & Stephanie Ingram, LLC, with a score of 92.5
  • Rox Dene Perpetual Trophy donated by Elaine and Chanda Boylen and presented to the owner of the horse ridden by a Professional or Developing Professional earning the most points in the High Performance Working Hunter, First Year Green, Second Year Green, Green Conformation, Regular Conformation or Performance Working Hunter 3’6” sections using the horse’s top four WCHR Member Events plus the Capital Challenge Horse Show - Dr. Betsee Parker, owner of Fidelio, ridden by Scott Stewart
  • Jeffrey Katz Trophy donated by Lisa Cudahy in memory of Jeffrey Katz and presented to the Professional or Developing Professional horse-and-rider combination earning the most points in the First Year Green, Second Year Green, or Green Conformation sections using their top four WCHR Member Events plus Capital Challenge Horse Show - Scott Stewart and Fidelio, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker
  • Alabama Clay Conformation Hunter Perpetual Trophy donated by the Weisman Family and presented to the owner of the horse earning the most points in the Green or Regular Conformation sections using the horse's top four WCHR Member Events plus Capital Challenge Horse Show - John & Stephanie Ingram, LLC, owner of Odette, ridden by Victoria Colvin
  • Urlala Perpetual Trophy donated by Kimberly Maloomian and presented to the Adult Amateur horse-and-rider combination earning the most points in the Adult Amateur sections using their top four WCHR Member Events plus the Capital Challenge Horse Show - Chilled, ridden and owned by Rindy Dominguez
  • Charles Johnson Perpetual Trophy in memory of Charles Johnson and presented to the high-point rider from the Midwest region - Jamie Planck McRee

  • Professional Style of Riding Award - Joie Gatlin

  • Developing Professional Style of Riding Award - Kelsey Epperson

The year's National Champions were also recognized:

  • Professional - Nick Haness
  • Professional Owner - Andesite Equestrian
  • Developing Professional - Sarah Moberg
  • Developing Professional Owner - Lynn Olson
  • Amateur Owner 3'6" and Spiff ‘N Polish Perpetual Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke - Irene Neuwirth
    • In Disguise Perpetual Trophy donated by Ellen and Jim Toon and presented to the trainer of the WCHR Amateur Owner 3’6” National Champion - Brendan Williams and Geoffrey Hesslink
  • Amateur Owner 3'3" - Martha Ingram
  • Adult Amateur - Glenda Monkarsh

In addition to the competition awards, several individuals were recognized by the WCHR Committee and membership for their dedication to the sport. The Winter’s Run Sportsmanship Award, donated by Patricia Bosley in memory of her mother and voted on by WCHR members, was presented to Matt Cyphert for exemplifying exceptional sportsmanship. The Daniel P. Lenehan Perpetual Trophy, awarded in memory of Daniel P. Lenehan to honor a lifetime commitment to judging show Hunters, was presented to Mark Jungherr. The David Peterson Perpetual Trophy, donated by Kavar Kerr and Jim Anderson and to a person who demonstrates exceptional dedication to equine care and well-being, was awarded to Tim Delovich. WCHR members voted to honor Peter Pletcher with the WCHR Lifetime Achievement Award and the Old Springhouse Perpetual Trophy, donated by the Old Springhouse Corporation. The USHJA/WCHR Course Designer Perpetual Trophy, presented to the Course Designer of the Year, was awarded to Nancy Wallis.

The World Championship Hunter Rider Program was founded in 1992 to recognize and celebrate the Hunter rider. Since the inaugural WCHR Professional Finals in 1992, the program has expanded to include coveted year-end awards for Professionals, Developing Professionals, Amateur Owners, Adult Amateurs, Juniors, Children's, and Pony riders. WCHR Program Participants qualify for National and Regional Awards by earning points at WCHR Events held across the country throughout the qualifying year. Points from a rider's top four WCHR Events will be used to determine the National and Regional standings. Each year the top ten nationally ranked riders and top six regionally ranked riders in each category come together to compete in the WCHR Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show.

The USHJA extends special thanks to the Capital Challenge Horse Show team for hosting the Finals; Official Sponsors Herm Sprenger, Nutrena, and Parlanti; and Supporting Sponsor Essex Classics.

For more information about the USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider Program, visit ushja.org/WCHR

USHJA WCHR Professional Finals Results

Rider | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Total

1. Nick Haness | 87 | 94.33 | 94.66 | 95.33 | 371.32

2. Amanda Steege | 90.66 | 91.66 | 91.66 | 90.33 | 364.31

3. Geoffrey Hesslink | 91 | 79.33 | 93.33 | 92.33 | 355.99

4. John French | 85.33 | 92.33 | 95 | 82.33 | 354.99

Release: Jump Media and USHJA
Photos: Shawn McMillen Photography and Tricia Booker/USHJA