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Cavaletto Loma Z and Nick Haness Capture $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at Middleburg Classic Horse Show

Upperville, Va. – September 20, 2024 – The $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby,  sponsored by Laura Karet and Glade Run Farm, took center stage on Friday afternoon during the 2024 Middleburg Classic Horse Show. Nick Haness and Cavaletto Loma Z led from start to finish, securing the victory with impressive scores of 190 and 193. Carlson, also ridden by Haness, took home second place, tied with Vivian Yowan on Say When, while Golden Road, Haness' third mount, rounded out the top four.

"Cavaletto is a horse I know very well, and he’s a bit of a show-off,” smiled Haness after his win. “He's white, he's beautiful, and he has a very expressive textbook jump when he's in his element, which today I think he really was. I was excited to go first during the classic round. I wanted to show the judges how the course would ride. The jumps here at Middleburg are beautiful, and it’s a privilege to compete at such a historic venue.”

Nick Haness and Cavaletto Loma Z

The class opened with a flowing classic round, which started over a vertical on the diagonal and continued with four high options, including the final oxer near the gate after the in-and-out. Riders returned for the handy round where they could showcase their mount’s brilliance. They began by cantering to a single vertical directly from the gate. They then had an option for the second fence where they could choose two different approaches to the in-and-out to showcase handiness. There was also a trot fence, and riders finished with a long gallop to the high or low option of the final oxer.

Nick Haness and Carlson

Haness returned for the handy with Carlson and earned a second round score of 184 and a total score of 365, which tied him with Yowan and Say When for the top spot, but as the last to go with Cavaletto Loma Z, he still had the chance to claim the victory. He expertly navigated inside options, making tight turns as Cavaletto Loma Z gave a lofty effort over each fence. The judges rewarded the talented duo with scores in the 90s and total score of 383 to lead the lap of honor.

Vivian Yowan and Say What

"There was a little more pressure added on my shoulders for the handy,” explained Haness. “I was quite busy in the second round with multiple horses and I was pretty exhausted, so I wasn't thinking too hard about the pressure. Cavaletto is great in the handy, it’s his favorite class, so I was pretty excited to go back in, I  just didn't want to blow it.”


The Califonria native recognized the support of all his owners as he competes on the East Coast this fall. Cavaletto Loma Z is a 10-year-old gelding owned by West Coast Partners, LLC trained by Shari Rose. “Cavaletto is mentally and physically in a really good place,” noted Haness. “I'm so grateful to the team for sending this horse with me on the road for my East Coast tour. It's a big commitment financially and with our schedule, so I'm very grateful that this horse has been able to travel with us during this time and these wins are extra exciting.”


Haness also reflected on the significance of winning the International Derby at the Middleburg Classic. “Middleburg is known for being horse country and having a lot of the world's best horses and riders actually born and raised here,” he concluded. “It's really exciting to win this derby because it's the most prestigious class of this unique, one-week event featuring the hunters.It's a really nice feeling to have come today with three nice mounts and finish in the top four with all three horses. A special thanks to all of the sponsors who make this event possible.”

The 2024 Middleburg Classic will continue on Saturday morning the $5,000 Middleburg Classic Derby, sponsored by Hesslink Williams LLC. The morning will also include a hunter breakfast sponsored by Tom Wright. Make sure to check out the silent auction as well, with all proceeds benefiting the Piedmont Environmental Council. To see the items available and start bidding click here


The 2024 Middleburg Classic would like to thank all of the generous sponsors that help make this event a continued success including Ashland Farms, Brad Wolf, Brianne Goutal- Marteau, Clarke & Molly Ohrstrom, Derbydown, Don Stewart Stables, Eight Oaks Farm, ELM Equestrian, EMO Insurance, Every Little Something Stationery & Gifts, Fout Family/Dun Foundation, Hesslink Williams LLC, Hidden Ridge, John and Stephanie Ingram, Jacqueline B. Mars, Krissy Blake of Sotheby's International Realty, Laura Karet & Glade Run Farm, Missy Luczak-Smith, Lynn Ellen Rice, Mars Equestrian & Buckey Nutrition, Mount Fair Equine, Nick Haness & Hunterbrook Farms, Piedmont Vet, Robinson Ridge, Sally McVeigh & Windsor Farm Sales, SBS Farms, Skyland Farm, Spring Hollow, The Baldwin Group, The Rein Family, The Tack Box of Middleburg, Tri-County Feeds, Victoria Watters and the Virginia Equine Alliance.


For more information about the Middleburg Classic Horse Show please visit www.MiddleburgClassic.com

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