UPPER MARLBORO, Md.--JJ Torano on I Am Inge won the inaugural $50,000 Ambassador’s Cup Grand Prix CSI2* on Saturday, Oct. 24 at the Washington International Horse Show.
JJ Torano on I Am Inge (Photo by Erin Gilmore)I Am Inge is the horse that Torano rode to win team and individual silver medals at the 2026 FEI North American Youth Championships in August.
At just 16 years of age, Torano is riding against and winning against all of the top riders in the world.
Going fourth in a seven horse jump-off from a starting field of 17, Torano finished clean in 32.22 seconds to win over second placed Daniel Coyle of Ireland on Nord Face VDL, who was clean in 33.37 seconds.
Laura Kraut on Cinnamon was third in 33.49 seconds.
Cinnamon, ridden by Kraut, was champion in the CSI2* division as well, while I Am Inge, ridden by Torano, was reserve champion.
“I CAME in a little hotter maybe than I wanted to the double combination, but she really soared over ‘A’ and backed up at ‘B’ and went high,” said Torano of his jump-off ride. “Then at the next jump we got there a little slow but again, she went high, so I was really happy with her over there. She did a great job with that line.”
Torano started riding Inge this year for Ilan Ferder.
“Standing next to her she’s a bit of a bigger horse,” Torano said of the 10-year-old Holsteiner owned by Ilan Ferder, “She seems like a slower going horse, but she’s quicker than you might think. She’s been a great horse for me, and I’m thankful to have her because of Ilan. She’s an amazing horse; she’s super quick, competitive, and wants to win as much as I do."
“She’s super sweet on the ground,” he said. “She’s fun to play with in the stall. She’s very amped up and hot when she comes up to the ring, but at the barn she’s pretty laid back and chill.”
“Once I made it to the jump-off, the only goal in mind was to go fast and try to win," said Torano. "It feels nice to end on the win, and she’ll be done for the year after today. Next for her is the winter season in Florida.”
