In the first two weeks of Desert Circuit at the Desert International Horse Park, Nick Haness and Navarino are now two-for-two on USHJA National Hunter Derby victories. After taking home a win during Week 1, Haness and Navarino returned on Friday, January 17, to capture the top spot in the $10,000 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby – Open, sponsored by Risk Strategies and held on the Grass Field.

Photo – Nick Haness and Navarino. (High Desert Sport Photo)

Course designer Michael Roy Curtis set the track for Friday morning’s two-phase class, and Haness and Navarino maneuvered it with ease, earning a score of 92 for the classic hunter portion and an 87.25 for the handy section.

With Haness’ total score of 179.25 securing him the win, second place with scores of 89 and 88.25 for a 177.25 total went to Dustin Goodwin and Reputation, owned by Kalli Heffner Gay. Third place with a score of 177 was awarded to Jenny Karazissis on Big Shot, owned by Dulcie Lou Morris, and Karazissis also took home fifth with a score of 175.25 aboard Lisa Hankin’s Cat’s Meow. Finishing in fourth was Halie Robinson who rode Tangled Up In Blue, owned by 3P Equine Partners LLC, to a score of 176.25.

So Thrilled

“I’m so thrilled to have this horse, Navarino, in my life,” said Haness of the 7-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion, owned by Brianne Tsakopoulos. “He’s a really special and exciting horse. We ride lots of horses of course, but when they’re special ones like him that come along, it just makes it all that much more worth it. This horse is extremely talented and just has the best brain. For him to walk out here today in a hunt & go and perform as well as he did, as relaxed as he was and jumping as brilliant as he can jump – we’re really happy.”

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