LEXINGTON, Ky.--Emerging super star JJ Torano led from start to finish to win the ASPCA Maclay Finals by a big margin, and he also won the 1.35m Jumper Grand Prix against top adult riders as well as placing third in the 1.45m Grand Prix and, to demonstrate his versatility, also dominated the junior hunter divisions
JJ Torano on Favorite Edition Z in the Maclay (Photo frpm the National Horse Show)At 15 years of age, Torano is already consistently winning against top adult riders, having won a number of national jumper classes against Olympic medalists last winter at the Winter Equestrian Festival.
And, having won the Medal Finals last year at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, Torano has now won the two top junior equestrian championships which have been won by such super stars as Billy Steinkraus, Frank Chapot, George Morris and Lillie Kennan.
Torano won the ASPCA Maclay National Championship with a final score of 93.46 over Parker Peacock, second on Montverdi with a final score of 89.03, and Madison Ramsey on Mac One III with a final score of 88.40.
Torano on Favorite Edition Z won by over four points, while those finishing second through 12 were all separated by a point or less.
Torano on Good Mood Semilly won the $20,000 1.35m Open Grand Prix, clean in the jump-off with the fastest time of 33.94 seconds to win over Irelands's Simon McCarthy on Sea Coast Queen B Van’t Paradijs and Mary Lisa Leffler on Zaza Z.
In the 100,00 1.45.Grand Prix,Torano on Vitus K was third behind Allssandra Volpi on Glamour and Sloane Coles on Ninja JW van de Moerhoeve.
IN THE JUNIOR hunter divisions, Torano on Chivalrous was Small Junior Hunter, 15 and Under, Champion, on Tiara,, he was Large Junior Hunter, 15 and Under, Champion, and he was Junior Hunter Grand Champion on Tiara.
"Obviously, it’s been a great week,"said Torano. "I rode a lot of different types of horses, and I think almost every one of them was owned by a different person. Almost all the horses I know quite well. In equitation, hunters and jumpers, you're being asked different questions."
In the first round of the Maclay, of the 176 riders, only three scored in the 90s: Rylynn Conway with a score of 90.12, Parker Peacock with 90.50, and Torano, who led with a score of 93. .
Following the flat phase, Torano remained on top going into the second round with a score of 91.87.
In the third round, Torano was clearly the best, so the judges Susie Schoellkopf, Jimmy Toon, Robin Swinderman Mitchell and Tony Sgarlata didn't need to test the riders further, and Torano won on a final score of 93.46.
"My equitation horse, Eddie, is a very proven horse," he said. "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.”
So, first I’d like to thank the owners, my parents for all they do, and my trainers, Missy, John, and Maggie,"said Torano. "It’s really a team behind me that can really make the success happen for me.”
His parents, Jimmy and Danielle Torano, are both winning grand prix riders, so not only does JJ come by his talent genetically, he has also been immersed in horses from his birth.
As he moves towards his 16th birthday, Torano will become eligible for bigger classes, and he 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,” Torano said. "“So I’m excited for that. Maybe jump some bigger classes now that I’m old enough.”
