Holly Casner Photography
By Lisa Engel
Nick Haness owns and operates Hunterbrook Farms in Temecula, California, and is one of the leading riders in the country. Only 28, he turned professional at the age of 18 and has steadily grown his list of accomplishments. He has won the Handy Hunter Challenge at the Capital Challenge in both 2013 and 2014, and just this year, rode Lindsay Maxwell’s Technicolor to a championship in the First Years at Devon as well as a blue ribbon in the First Year Stakes Class with a score of 95. Besides being a leading hunter rider, Nick also rides the jumpers and won his first Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain, in 2014. He is also a much-sought-after equitation, hunter and jumper coach.
Where do you live?
I own a farm in Temecula, California.
What’s your favorite vacation getaway spot?
I’d say someplace very tropical, like the Bahamas.
When was your last vacation?
That’s a good question. Maybe 15 years ago.
How many hours a week do you work?
All of them: 24/7
How many hours a week do you play?
Three hours on Monday — I take my western trail horses on a trail.
How many hours on the phone a day?
Speaking, three minutes. Texting, 23 hours.
What’s your favorite saddle?
Voltaire
What one item in your wardrobe best personifies you?
My Hermes belt
What was the last movie you saw?
I’m going to go with the Steve Jobs movie.
What’s your favorite charity or nonprofit organization?
St. Jude Children’s Hospital
What’s your drink of choice?
Arnold Palmer
What’s your favorite timepiece?
Rolex
What type of car do you drive?
BMW
What’s your favorite method of travel?
Horseback
What was the name and breed or your first horse?
Duncan McCloud, a mixture of a lot of things — pony, draft, Thoroughbred and about 15.1 hands
Name a person you would most like to meet and why.
I’d like to meet Julia Roberts because I think she’s a great actress and very cool. I bet she’d know about some really good restaurants.
Describe yourself in three words.
Unique, adventurous and confident
If you could be anywhere right now, where would it be and why?
At a horse show because I love horse shows
What’s the most frequent charge on your credit card?
Restaurants/food
What’s the best feeling in the world?
Winning
Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
Riding horses, traveling the world and still loving it
