HITS closed one of its most successful Culpeper Series to date with finals and finales yesterday. Two classes, the $10,000 Pyranha Junior/Amateur Owner Low Classic and $15,000 Junior/Amateur Owner High Classic presented by Bayer's Legend, showcased both at their finest—and top prize money. The events provided exhibitors and spectators alike with a feast of Equestrian speed, beauty and style. Cienne Warren, 22, of Tinton Falls, New Jersey had her eyes on the prize going into yesterday's Pyranha $10,000 JR-A/O Jumper Low Classic--and her 11 year old chestnut gelding Fabius (Holsteiner/Warmblood), did not disappoint. They won the class with confidence and panache. The pair topped seasoned competitors from all corners of the Northeast and points South. “Fabius and I have been together nearly two years. He has a awesome personality and we have a strong bond. He's given me the confidence I needed to move from the Equitation all the way up to the 1.30m jumpers,” Warren said after their win. Only two other pairs went clear and returned to the jump off. Designer Florencio Hernandez's (Mexico City, Mexico) course was deceptively modest and required riders to make quick decisions. “My strategy going in was to stay forward coming out of the turns,” Warren said. “In the jump off I focused on just going clear and giving him the freedom to open up his huge stride.” Warren also felt the courses earlier in the week were “good prep” for Sunday's class. Ultimately, with clever last minute decisions, confidence and a faultless time of 42.71--Warren and Fabius emerged the victor. Debbie Foote on her own Neilson B was second with a time of 45.06. Alden Moylan and Pimpernel went the fastest at 42.00, but had a rail and settled for third. Felica Russell and Tambo Beduin took fourth while Remonta Haron, owned and ridden by Michael Mahoney, capped the top five.
Lowe-Wiseman found November in Europe two years ago while looking for a more seasoned Grand Prix mount. The 13 year old Selle Francais gelding was a member of the Swiss Nations' Cup team and “pro” compared to many horses she had ridden.
What’s remarkable is despite Lowe-Wiseman traveling abroad to find, November was actually born and raised in Middleberg, Virginia, less than a mile from her family’s stable Windsor, at Bert and Diane Firestone’s Newstead Farm (November is affectionately known as “Bert”). The Firestones had him nearly five years before selling to a buyer in Europe.
In essence, November has come full circle and now home, happily in Lowe-Wiseman's barn. The past year the pair really came together, placing well in every Grand Prix and class they entered (Third in an extremely competitive field at the Zoetis $75,000 HITS Saugerties Grand Prix this past summer too.) Though she readily admitted making a mistake in the Gold Cup a few weeks before Culpeper, and decided to step back and compete him in the Amateurs this week.
That excellent decision paid off. “He’s a really ride-able horse, able to win any jump off--we made a super fast turn to the second jump and sped down last line...every distance came up perfect”
According to Lowe-Wiseman November is quiet and lovely enough for her two year old son to ride--yet also one of the most powerful horses she has ever ridden, with unlimited potential. The win was also special to her as this was their last show of the year before heading to Florida in January.
She took a moment to appreciate the improvements HITS made last winter to the footing in warm up areas, new stabling and "overall polish and upgraded feel the facility now has."
Lowe-Wiseman's final words words hit a serious and determined note regarding the future and pair's goals: To qualify for and compete in the $1 Million Dollar Grand Prix in Saugerties September 2015.
It seems there's little that will stop them.
$15,000 Junior /Amateur Owner Classic Presented by Bayer's Legend
Place Horse Owner Rider Prize $ Rnd. 1 Faults J-O Faults J-O Time
1 November Windsor Farm Sales Alexa Lowe-Wiseman 4350.00 0 0 34.39
2 Abracadabra Melissa Rudershausen Melissa Rudershausen 3150.00 0 0 36.85
3 D'Artagnan Doreen Toben Darby Toben 2100.00 0 0 37.76
4 Apollo Mission Sandra Zimmerli Sandra Zimmerli 1400.00 0 0 38.99
5 Habsburg 2 Felicia Russell Felicia Russell 1100.00 4 4 69.37
6 Forever Z Tiffany-Ann Avon Tiffany-Ann Avon 800.00 4 4 69.94
7 Heads-Up 3E Tamara Morse Tamara Morse 650.00 4 4