From his first round over the jumps to his last ride in front of the judges, JJ Torano dominated the finals of the ASPCA Maclay equitation championship at the National Horse Show in Kentucky on Sunday.
The 15-year-old ranked first after all 176 contenders had completed the initial round, stayed on top in the flat phase and was the best of 24 in the second round as well, ending up with a final score 93.46. He was the only rider whose final score broke into the 90s.
After a 7 a.m. start and nearly 11 hours of competition, the judges wisely saw no need for further testing when JJ completed a classic second-round performance on Favorite Edition Z, otherwise known as Eddie.
JJ Torano led all the way in the Maclay. (National Horse Show Photo)
JJ called the mount he has ridden for three years “a very proven horse. He’s been foot-perfect from the start. I can’t say enough about him. He can shine in those tests where they ask the big questions. I’m lucky to be sitting on him in a class like this.”
Jimmy Torano and Favorite Edition Z on their way to victory in the Maclay.
The routes set by Paul Jewell and Nancy Wallis, with input from judges Susie Schoellkopf, Jimmy Toon, Robin Swinderman Mitchell and Tony Sgarlata, tested accuracy and adjustability, but also allowed the riders who mastered the technical questions to demonstrate their style.
“My goal this year was really to make it a rider’s test, where they want to find the track and find the path,” Paul explained.
“If they find the path, keep the pace, they’re going to be fine.”
In her comments about the winner, judge Robin said, “He was extremely smooth throughout all the rounds, very solid in his flatwork.”
Judge Jimmy noted, “JJ is quite clever in keeping everything so even, and he’s so strong. He’s solid. There’s not much else you can say about him. He’s quite the man.”
JJ is the son of Jimmy and Danielle Torano, both show ring stars. He is coached by his father and the North Run team of Missy Clark, John Brennan and Maggie Gampfer.
JJ Torano with sponsor Cindi Perez, 2024 Maclay winner Taylor Cawley, Danielle and Jimmy Torano, Missy Clark, John Brennan and Maggie Gampfer.
The teen warmed up for his class by winning Saturday night’s 1.35 meter jumper competition with Good Mood Semilly, then taking third on Vitus K in the featured $100,000 1.45-meter grand prix behind big names Alessandra Volpi (Glamour) and Sloane Coles (Ninja JW van de Moerhoeve.)
So it’s no surprise what JJ, who won the Dover Saddlery/USEF Medal Finals last year, is looking forward to in the coming season.
“I have a couple of young horses, new horses I want to step up and keep going and build a relationship,” the Floridian said.
“So I’m excited for that. Maybe jump some bigger classes now that I’m old enough.”
JJ expressed gratitude for all the help he received.
“Obviously it’s been a great week. I rode a lot of different types of horses. I think almost every one of them was owned by a different person. So, first I’d like to thank the owners, my parents for all they do, and my trainers, Missy, John, and Maggie. It’s really a team behind me that can really make the success happen for me,”
It was the third time in a row that a child of a professional equestrians had taken the Maclay. Last year, I asked Jimmy Torano why the pro trainers’ kids are so good, and wondered if it was genetic.
He told me it’s because the youngsters are “around it every day, they’re living it, they’re breathing it.”
And they have the chance to ride so many different horses, Jimmy added.
The reserve champion, Parker Peacock, moved up from eleventh place to come close to the big prize.,Parker, a North Carolinian who rode Montverdi, is trained by Ken and Emily Smith. Her final score was 89.03.
Runner-up Parker Peacock. (National Horse Show Photo)
Third place went to the first person to venture out on course, Madison Ramsey, who also won the silver cup known as the Trailblazer Trophy for that achievement. The Florida resident, who is trained by Jen and Frank Madden and the Capital Hill team, as well as Bobby Braswell, rode Mac III after rising from sixth place. Her final score was 88.40.
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