Humphrey returns the compliment. “Peyton has a great balance of natural ability and desire. She has a real talent for riding, but she works hard and puts in many hours in the saddle to learn and improve.” As fall approaches, Warren is looking forward to starting her freshman year at Sacramento’s St. Francis High School. In October, she plans to again compete in the $25,000 PCHA Equine Insurance Childrens/Adult Jumper Championships. She was 4th last year and is anxious for the chance to try and improve her performance. She is also talking with Humphrey and Leone about possibly moving up to the 1.30m soon and about what her long-range goals are regarding trying to qualify for Young Riders.
Not one to rest on her successes, Warren has already been working with her trainers and discussing upcoming riding goals. “Jill and Rudy aren’t just my trainers, they are family to me,” she says. “I look up to them both, I guess you could say they are kind of my heroes. Even the assistants at Leones, everyone there has had such an impact on my life and my riding. Even though I’m challenged in my riding, if I get nervous, I trust Jill and know she will never make me do anything that puts me in danger.”
No matter where she finds herself as her riding progresses, Warren knows she can always count on her biggest supporters. “My parents are so supportive of me and my riding,” she grins. “They were both involved in sports and competitive when they were young so they understand my drive. My dad is always at the ring, but I don’t think he’s ever captured a good video of me riding. He’s always so nervous!” Friends of the Meadows 1.00m Final Four: Karly Lowe, 2nd (CAN); Peyton Warren, 1st (USA); Gwendolyn Sontheim Meyer, 3rd (USA) and Isabel Cowles, 4th (USA) Photo ©Spruce Meadows Media Services