78 SIDELINES NOVEMBER 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
A
s a frequent exhibitor at shows on the West Coast circuit,
I’ve had the chance to see a lot of riders come and go.
I’ve seen everything from pony girls just getting started, to
XS DQG FRPLQJ MXQLRU ULGHUV DQG RI FRXUVH WKH *UDQG 3UL[
riders and trainers that we exhibitors aspire to be. I’ve had my eye
RQ RQH QRWDEOH RQ WKH ULVH MXQLRU ULGHU LQ SDUWLFXODU 3H\WRQ :DUUHQ
, ¿UVW QRWLFHG 3H\WRQ IRXU \HDUV DJR ZKHQ VKH DQG , ZHUH
frequent competitors in the Low Children’s Jumper classes. If she
was there on her horse Sherry Lady, then I knew I would have to be
RQ P\ ³$´ JDPH 6KH¶V DOZD\V EHHQ DQ DPD]LQJ FRPSHWLWRU DQG QRZ
with her current mount Lysander 99, that’s never been more true.
2Q /\VDQGHU
D :HVWSKDOLDQ JHOGLQJ NQRZQ DV /\OH VKH KDV
skyrocketed from Children’s Jumper to Junior Jumper to upcoming
Grand Prix rider. It’s really special when you see a horse and
rider combination come together like that. They connect and that
momentum carries them forward to the next stage in their growth.
Peyton made her international debut at Spruce Meadows in 2011.
It’s been so inspiring to watch her go from whizzing around
the Children’s Jumpers to killing it at the 1.40m. I got a chance to
catch up with Petyon, who is 16 and based out of Rancho Murieta
in California, after her recent trip to the North American Junior and
<RXQJ 5LGHU &KDPSLRQVKLSV LQ .HQWXFN\ ZKHUH VKH ¿QLVKHG WK LQ
the Individual competition.
How did you begin your riding career?
My kindergarten teacher scheduled a conference with my parents
because I wouldn’t stop behaving like a horse. So she recommended
that I start to take lessons.
Who do you train with?
I train with Rudy Leone and Jill Humphrey in Sacramento at Leone
Equestrian. I’ve been with them since I started about 12 years ago.
What do you enjoy most about the West Coast circuit?
The West Coast offers horse shows that apply to any level of riding.
I started in my local organization (Sacramento Area Hunter Jumper
$VVRFLDWLRQ DQG WKHQ PRYHG RQ WR WKH 1RU&DO FLUFXLW DQG WKHQ
HYHQWXDOO\ WKH QDWLRQDO FLUFXLW 2UJDQL]DWLRQV OLNH WKHVH DUH JUHDW
VWHSSLQJ VWRQHV IRU XS DQG FRPLQJ ULGHUV
What are some of your career highlights?
Some of my highlights include many wins in the High Junior Jumper
Classics, second place in the Bayfest Grand Prix and this year 10th
RYHUDOO LQ WKH 1DWLRQDO -XQLRU -XPSHU &KDPSLRQVKLSV LQ .HQWXFN\
What was your biggest win or the one that made you most
proud?
6RPHWKLQJ ,¶P PRVW SURXG RI LV TXDOLI\LQJ IRU <RXQJ 5LGHUV DQG 3UL[
'HV 6WDWHV WKLV \HDU
HORSE SHOW
JUNIORSIDE
Peyto
n War
ren:
On Her Way to the Top
By Sophie St.Clair
Peyton Warren
Photo by Jennifer Warren
