JJ Torano became the youngest rider ever to win the Dover Saddlery/U.S. Equestrian Federation Hunter Seat Medal Finals, topping a field of 169 on Sunday at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show.
A 14-year-old who eligible to ride as age 13 (giving him four more years to win the other equitation championships if he needs extra time), JJ nailed the demanding final test, riding without stirrups over a course that tested control. It started with a hand-gallop and included taking two fences at the counter-canter. The requirement to halt after the final obstacle was handled spot-on to make a statement by JJ and his mount, Special Edition Z, who won the best horse title.
JJ was confident that his horse “could do anything I ask him for. From holding counter leads to nailing the final halt after the last jump – I think that was the best part of the final test.”
Favorite Edition Z started out as a jumper last year, but by the time of the 2024 Winter Equestrian Festival, he had transitioned to equitation with JJ.
“We prepared for this season with a lot of repetition. We don’t know what to expect coming to Medal Finals, but we practice to be prepared for anything we’re asked for,” said JJ, with a wisdom beyond his years.
The winner is the son of Jimmy and Danielle Torano, both of whom have been big winners in the hunter and jumper ranks. JJ is trained for equitation by Missy Clark, John Brennan and the team at North Run.
JJ Torano with his parents, Danielle and Jimmy Torano. (US Equestrian photo)
JJ was leading last weekend in the Show Jumping Talent Search Medal Finals East in New Jersey before he accumulated several time faults and chipped in at the next-to-last fence in his last round on one of his rival’s horses during the Final Four test. (To read the Talent Search story, go down to the second feature on this site.)
The Floridian wasn’t going to let anything like that happen this time, executing every round with flair and thinking through every stride during the final test of the top six riders, culled from 25 semi-finalists during a second round over a new course designed by Steve Stephens. The class was judged by Rachel Kennedy and Tammy Provost.
Second was Sydney Raidy of New York, who moved up from third place before the work-off.
“I wanted to play it safe,” said Sydney, who is trained by Frank Madden.
“We’ve had so many lessons at home, learning about the smartest choices to make once you’re there. It’s easy to get nervous and do something that’s too hard. So, I just wanted to walk in, get my counter lead, and get good distances.”
Maddie Tosh of Georgia finished third. Trained by her father, top hunter rider Hunt Tosh, she was the winner of the 2023 Washington International Horse Show’s equitation championship. Washington is where the riders are heading for the next championship, before capping the season in November at the National Horse Show with the ASPCA Maclay.
Fourth went to Ariana Marnell, another North Run trainee, who lives in Florida. Fifth was Olivia Sweetnam, who had been third in the Talent Search last weekend and won the Turnham Green/USEF National Junior Jumper Championship earlier in the Pennsylvania show. The Florida resident is coached by Ken and Emily Smith.
Judge Kennedy observed, “The top six riders were fractions apart going into round two. But the top four finishers were super strong.”
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