SAUGERTIES, N.Y.--JJ Torano on I Am Inge won the $75,000 National Grand Prix on Sunday, Sept. 6 at HIT Hudson Valley.

JJ Torano on I Am Inge (Photo by ESI Photography)Only four from the starting field of 21 were clean over the course set by Bernardo Costa Cabral of Portugal. 

Stella Wasserman withdrew her mount Tick a Lu from the jump-off, giving her fourth and leaving three remaining contenders for the top prize.

Christian Coyle of Ireland on Ballyoskill Big Bucks, first in the jump-off, had four faults in 40.941 seconds,

Nest to go, Torano on I Am Inge was fast and clean in 39.897 seconds for the lead.

Laura Chapot on Ginola then had 12 faults in 44.340 seconds to place third., and Coyle was second, while it was once again Torano won.

McLain Ward on La Serra, fastest of those with four faults, was fifth in 68.916 and Chapot on C&C Willow was sixth with four faults in 70.054.

 

“I KNEW Laura was coming behind me, and she’s always quick, so I wanted to put enough pressure on,” said Torano. “I saw Christian go, and he did five strides up the first line. We questioned it for a second, but my dad told me to stick to my plan and just curve the six strides instead of trying to match the five Christian did. So, that’s what I did, and I ended up being able to turn really tight back to the third jump. Everything else came up pretty well, and luckily, it worked out in my favor.”

Torano has been partnered with the 10-year-old Holsteiner mare since the beginning of the 2026 year, and already the pair have some impressive placings together, really heating up over the summer season. 

“I have to thank her owner Ilan Ferder; he really helps me out and gives me a horse to ride almost every year,” said Torano. “I know Inge very well; she’s an incredible horse and I’ve gotten really confident with her. We’re very comfortable with each other, and she’s right with me when we go fast, so a lot of credit goes to her as well

“I have great horses and I’m really grateful for the horses and team behind me,” he said. “Obviously, none of this would be possible without them.”