Jason Berry guides Upswing to success in the Hunter ring (ESI Photography)

Culpeper, Va. - Earlier this year, Upswing was imported as a dressage prospect at three-day eventer Phillip Dutton’s barn. Quickly proving that piaffes and passage weren't his calling, Upswing left them in the dust for an over-fences career. Pamela Deslauriers purchased the eight-year old Mechkenburg gelding and handed the reins to Jason Berry (Verona, Virginia) less than three months ago.

“He has come full circle in a matter of weeks,” said Deslauriers. “He may have come to this country as a dressage horse, but he was destined for the hunter ring. I knew as soon as I tried him that he would excel.”

As HITS Culpeper bid farewell to its 2014 season with high-stakes offerings at all levels, Upswing didn’t shy from the dollar signs on the line and posted impressive scores in the $10,000 Pre-Green Hunter Classic. Their 88 gave them a two-point advantage over the top 12 moving into the second round.

Upswing turned heads yet again, jumping to a 90 with only several weeks of hunter experience under his belt.

While a vision of fluidity and elegance in the ring, Upswing has attitude on the other side of the fence. “We call him Black Snake around the barn because he’s a sneaky biter,” joked Berry. “He’s got his certain people, but he’s not a love-bug. However, he’s always willing in the ring and has gotten along with both Pam and me so well.”

Berry’s scores combined for a 178, proving that Upswing may have more than beginner’s luck. With a bright start to Upswing’s Hunter endeavors, the gelding is soon headed to the Green Conformation division with loads of untapped potential.

Cassandra Kahle (Langley, British Columbia) piloted Redfield Farm’s Camelia to the red ribbon. Their 84 and 81 gave them a 165 total. Fellow Redfield Farm rider Jennifer Jones (Marion, South Carolina) jumped Orlon to third for Margot Peroni just one point shy of Kahle with a 164.

MTM Farm rounded out the top five with Dorothy Douglas (Flower Mound, Texas) on MTM Retro in fourth and Tracy Fenney (Flower Mound, Texas) fifth aboard MTM Passport for Cammy Turgon. Continuing the tight race for $10,000 in prize money, they scored a 163.5 and 163, respectively.
The $10,000 Pre-Green Hunter Classic highlighted the innovative offerings making the Culpeper Finals a week to remember for hunters and jumpers of varying levels.