News

JJ Torano Wins June’s Show Jumping Hall of Fame Rider of the Month Award

Details: July 10, 2025; By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--JJ Torano of Wellington, FL, has won the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Rider of the Month Award for June.

JJ Torano in a presentation KindMedia JJ Torano in a presentation (Photo by KindMedia)This is the third time he’s received the award in 2025, having previously earned it in February and March.

A talented junior rider, Torano competes in the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series’ East Conference.

After earning fourth with Vitus K and 12th with Lyon 50 in the Devon Horse Show & Country Fair’s $20,000 SJHOF 1.45m Junior Jumper Classic, Torano went on to a highly successful month in the jumper ring.

At the Upperville Colt & Horse Show, he piloted Lyon 50 to victory and Good Mood Semilly to third place in the $10,000 SJHOF 1.40m Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic; he also placed fourth in the $7,500 SJHOF/NAL 1.30m Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic with Coachella Z.

Then at the Lake Placid Horse Show,on Oopsala he won the $10,000 1.35m SJHOF Junior Jumper Classic, along with fifth place on Coachella Z.

He immediately followed that with another win aboard Lyon 50 in the $15,000 FarmVet 1.45m SJHOF Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic, as well as ninth place aboard Kerenia.

These multiple victories and top 10 finishes helped him earn the Hall of Fame’s Rider of the Month Award for June.

Devon Fall Classic to return Sept. 11-14, bringing top competition and family fun back to Devon

Details: July 1, 2025; By SARA CAVANAGH

DEVON, Pa.--The Devon Fall Classic, an all jumper show, will return forits four day run from Sept. 11-14.

Devon fair Photo by Brenda CarpenterAlong with the jumper competition in the Dixon Oval, there will be the traditional Fair in the adjacent area with shops, rides, food and all kinds of entertainment with music.

There's family fun with rides and games and adult entertainment with wine and music daily at the Fall Classic.

Horse show classes begin at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Sunday and at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday.

On Thursday, Sept. 11th, and Friday, Sept.12, Take2 Thoroughbred Jumpers are featured, with the $5,000 Welcome Jumper Stake at 7 p.m. Thursday evening and the $10,000 Open Speed Stake at7 p.m. Friday evening.

Junior and adult jumpers compete Saturday and Sunday, with the spectator favorite Leadline at 1 p.m. followed by the $7,500 1.45m Junior/Amateur Classic on Saturday afternoon.

Saturday evening, the National Anthem and a Color Guard Presentation are followed by the $25,000 Devon Grand Prix at 7 p.m.

Caitlin Boyle on Navaar won last year's Grand Prix in an exciting seven horse jump-off.

In the Country Fair, Vendor Booths open at 10:00 a.m. daily,so this is a wonderful way to get a start on Christmas shopping with the Boutiques offering an enticing variety of items.

For the kids and family fun, Midway Rides and Games run from 4 to 9 p.m.Thursday, from 4 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to close on Sunday.

Ilex, previously ridden by McLain Ward, will now be ridden by Marlon Zanotelli

Details: June 30, 2025; By Staff Writers

Last week, world no. five McLain Ward announced that he was parting ways with his Olympic mount Ilex, bred by G. Maris and owned by Bonne Chance Farm.

Ridden by Ward, Ilex was a member of the U.S. team that won the silver medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Marlon Modolo Xanotelli and Ilex Today, Ashford Farm said that the 2019 Pan American Games double gold medalist Marlon Modolo Zanotelli of Brazil willl be riding Ilex.

“It is such a privilege to get to ride such an incredible horse and to continue his already amazing career for the years to come," Zanotelli said in a press release from Ashford Farm. “We aim to reach great heights with Ilex and hopefully represent Brazil at major events, championships and perhaps even the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles."

Xabitelli, 37 years old, is currently ranked 67th in the world, and he represented Brazil at the Tokyo Olympic Games and was part of the Brazilian squad at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Caen, France as well as at the 2022 World Championships in Herning, Denmark.

Eventing for the 2028 Olympics at Santa Anita to be very short and very flat

Details: June 28, 2025; By Staff Writers

ARCADIA,Calif.--When the equestrian portion of the Olympic Games were last held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., in 1984, the cross country portion of the three-day eventing competition was held at the Fairbanks Ranch Country Club.

Santa Anita racetrackIn 2028, however, the cross country phase will be held at Santa Anita itself, reports Horse and Hound.

Alex Lochore, eventing manager at the 2012 and 2020 Olympics, produced a feasibility study that suggested two or three ways a cross country course can be laid out using the racetrack, infield, and part of the parking lot.

Now, Lochore, who has no previous championship course design experience, will have to deliver on that study. According to Horse and Hound, as expected course designer Derek di Grazia reached an impasse with organizers from the FEI and Olympic Committee; the organizers told the FEI they couldn't work with him.

Russell Jones recieved the Lifetime Achievement Award from PHBA

Details: June 26, 2025; By SARA CAVANAGH

UNIONVILLE, Pa.--Russell Jones of Unionvile received the Lifetime Achievement Awad from the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association at its annual meeting in early June.

Russell JonesBut in fact Jones' actual lifetime achievements far exceed those for which he was honored by the PHBA.

He was a top amateur steeplechase rider who won against the best professionals at major tracks, he was a realtor, he was a leading bloodstock agent who founded and led Walnut Green, one of the biggest bloodstock agencies in the country, he served a term as President of the PHBA, he was a Master of Foxhounds of one of the top foxhunts in the nation, he has served and still is serving as a commissioner for the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission and is currently a member of a syndicate that buys and sell top race horses internationally.

He was inducted into the Parx Hall of Fame in September, 2018.

And at 90 years of age, he is still going strong.

"I started hunting when I was 7," said Jones. "I won my first point-to-point when I was 13, but I couldn't ride at Brandywine until I was16. I won the Men's race at Brandywine when I was 16."

"Burley Cocks gave me a horse, actually, I paid $100 for him, and I hunted and point-to-pointed him, then I got Jacko off the racetrack. I won over hurdles at Delaware Park and over brush at Aqueduct. I rode at Belmont in the 1969 Temple Gwathmey, where I was leading but got caught in the stretch," he said.

In the sixties, races were run over natural brush fences that were over 4 feet in height.

At Belmont, there was a huge water jump right in front of the stands, and steeplechase races were run five times a week.

After running over brush, Jacko was converted to timber and was Timber Horse of the Year for four years.

"I won the Maryland Hunt Cup in 1975 and won the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup thee times," said Jones.

Alec Lochore appointed as Eventing course designer for Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028

Details: June 20, 2025; By Staff Writers

Alec Lochore (of Great Britain, an FEI Level 4 Course Designer and Technical Delegate, has been appointed as the Eventing course designer for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.

Alec LochoreThe decision was taken unanimously by the FEI Board at its in-person meeting on June 17, 18 June in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Lochore will be assisted by Michael Etherington-Smith of Great Britain, who will act as course advisor.

Alec Lochore, 53, is a highly skilled course designer with over two decades of experience in international Eventing, who brings a distinctive blend of strategic leadership, technical insight, and course design expertise.

He served as the Eventing Manager at the London 2012 Olympic Games where he oversaw the cross-country planning and test events at Greenwich Park as well as at Tokyo 2020.

He has also held roles at the FEI World Equestrian Games as well as numerous FEI Eventing European Championships.

Lochore has served two terms on the FEI Eventing Committee and has been a member of various FEI Working Groups over the years.

U.S. Team for the League of Nations Rotterdam CSIO5*

Details: June 12, 2025; By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--US Equestrian announced the riders selected to represent the U.S. Jumping Team at the League of Nations Rotterdam CSIO5*-LLN in Rotterdam, Netherlands, hosted at CHIO Rotterdam from June 18-22.

U.S.team for Rotterdam The team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland and Team Leader Lizzy Chesson.

The following riders have been named to the U.S. Jumping Team and are listed in alphabetical order:

• Karl Cook of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.

• Laura Kraut of Royal Palm Beach, Fla.

• Aaron Vale of Williston, Fla.

• Alessandra Volpi of Woodside, Calif.

Competition Information:

The competition will begin on Thursday, June 19, and conclude on Sunday, June 22.

The highlight event, the League of Nations CSIO5* team competition, will take place on Friday, June 20, with round one beginning at 4:30 p.m., which is 10:30 a.m. Eastern.

The €308,600 Grand Prix of Rotterdam CSIO5* will take place on Sunday, June 22, at 2:30 p.m., which is 8:30 a.m. Eastern.

Kent Farrington continues as World No. 1 and McLain Ward climbs to fifth

Details: June 11, 2025; By Staff Writers

One month after reaching the top, Kent Farrington has consolidated his position as Jumping World number one with 3,284 points.

Kent Farrington on Greay WEF GP Sportfot Kent Farrington on Greya in a WEF Grand Prix (Photo by Sportfot)Behind Farrington, Ben Maher of Great Britain is second with 3,054 points.

Henrik von Eckermann of Sweden with 2,991 points and Christian Kukuk of Germany with 2,933 points repeat in third and fourth respectively.

McLain Ward is fifth after climbing from eighth position with 2,813 points

Swiss duo Steve Guerdat with 2,773 points and Martin Fuchs with 2,728 points drop one position each to sixth and seventh respectively, while Ireland’s Cian O’Connor climbs to eight on 2,705 points.

Kevin Staut of France gets back into the top 10 and is now ninth on 2,662 points, followed by Richard Vogel of Germany, 10th with 2,657 points.

Helena “Lana” duPont Wright, Eventing Olympic team silver medalist, died April 23

Details: May 28, 2025; By Staff Writers

CHESAPEAKE CITY, Md.--Helena “Lana” duPont Wright of Chesapeake City, Md., team silver medalist at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and co-founder and long-time advocate for Fair Hill International, passed away peacefully at home on April 23, 2025 at the age of 85.

Lanad uPoint Wight jumping Lana duPont Wright competing in EventingShe leaves behind many grieving friends in the Fair Hill community.

“Lana duPont Wright’s passion for equine competition and fox hunting helped preserve the legacy of William du Pont, Jr., former owner of the land now known as the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area,” said Fair Hill International President Coates Bateman. “Soon after the formation of Fair Hill International, Inc. in 1989, Lana became co-President with Trish Gilbert. Lana and Trish were the unstoppable force leading FHI to become a nationally and internationally recognized organization, attracting the world’s best competitors in Eventing, Combined Driving, and Endurance and Combined competitions.”

“Lana was an inspiring mentor and teacher to many young riders/drivers,” Bateman said.

U.S. Team for the Langley, British Columbia Nations Cup

Details: May 15, 2025; By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--US Equestrian announced the riders selected to represent the U.S. Jumping Team at the FEI Jumping Nations Cup Langley CSIO4*.

Team forLangley Team for Langley Nations CupThe competition will be hosted at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, British Columbia, Canada, from May 28 - June 1.

The team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland and Team Leader Erin Keating.

The following riders have been named to the U.S. Jumping Team and are listed in alphabetical order:

• Elisa Broz of Freedom, Calif.

• Shawn Casady of Harriman, Tenn.

• Bliss Heers of Las Vegas, N.V.

• McKayla Langmeier of East Granby, Conn.

Competition Information:

Competition in Langley will begin on Wednesday, May 28, and conclude on Sunday, June 1.

The $117,000 Grand Prix CSIO4* will take place on Friday, May 30, at 7:00 p.m. Eastern, which is 4:00 p.m. PDT, with the highlight Jumping Nations Cup Langley CSIO4* set to take place on Sunday, June 1 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern, 2:00 p.m. PDT.

The Jumping Nations Cup Langley CSIO4* will be streamed on tbird TV.

Allen Leslie, 84, equine veterinarian, died April 3

Details: May 9, 2025; By Staff Writers

CHRISTIANA, Pa.--J. Allen Leslie, DVM, died on April 3, 2025, at the age of 84 at his farm in Christiana, Pa., with his wife and son at his side, where he had lived for 50 years.

Allen LeslieA devoted husband, father, friend, and brother, Allen was deeply respected as an equine veterinarian and lifelong horseman.

Born in Passaic, N.J., on Jan. 14, 1941, to John Samuel and Anna Katharine (Allen) Leslie,

Allen was inspired by a family friend, Dr. Stephen “Doc” Roberts, to pursue veterinary medicine.

He graduated from Ramsey High School in 1959, then attended McDonogh School before enrolling at Cornell University, where he completed both undergraduate and veterinary degrees.

While at Cornell, he played on the polo team, winning national championships in 1962 and 1963.

After earning his veterinary degree in 1965, Allen completed a residency at the University of California, Davis, and later returned east for post-doctoral work at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School.

He joined the Delaware Equine Center in 1967 and became a partner, working alongside Drs. Larry Cushing, Mathew Mackay-Smith, and Danny Marks.

Kent Farrington is closing in on the lead in Jumping World Rankings

Details: May 1, 2025; By SARA CAVANAGH

In the Jumping World Rankings: Kent Farrington has been chasing Henrik von Eckermann for the past few months,

Kent Farrington on Greya Sarah Miller for MacMillan Kent Farrington on Greya winning in Kentucky (Photo by Sarah Miller for MacMillan Photography)And for yet another month, when the April standings came out, von Eckermann of Sweden remained in the lead with a total of 3,278 points, followed closely by USA’s Kent Farrington, who was second just 51 points behind of the Swede.

But Farrington won the $400,000 Grand Prix in Kentucky on April 26 while von Eckermann wasn't in the top 10, and that may give him enough points to finally move into the lead.

Olympic Champion Christian Kukuk of Germany was third with 3,008 points, while Ben Maher was fourth on 2,957 points and Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat dropped to fifth with 2,956 points.

Max Kühner of Austria with 2,818 points was sixth after ascending two spots, followed by Martin Fuchs of Switzerland with 2,788 points, who dropped three positions, Richard Vogel of Germany with 2,763 points and Simon Delestre of France with 2,715 points.

McLain Ward dropped three positions with 2,709 points.

In the League of Nations Ranking, after two months at the top, USA with 14,066 points consolidated its position as leader of the ranking, cemented by its victory on home soil in Ocala in the second leg of the League of Nations 2025.

Ireland with 13,815 points remained close to the leaders, only 241 points behind, while Germany was third, on 13,324 points.

There was no movements from fourth to 10th: France, 13,128 points, Belgium, 12,759 points, Great Britain, 12,234 points, Netherlands, 11,254 points, Switzerland, 11,172 points, Italy, 10,726 points and Sweden, 9,902 points.

Qualifying Lists for The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair are now available

Details: April 17, 2025; By Staff Writers

DEVON, PA.--USEF Qualifying Lists for The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair are now available and can be see on the Devon website.

Scott Stewart on For Always Sportfot Scott Stewart on For Always (Photo by Sportfot)Although jumper entries are not available yet, McLain Ward, many times the winner of the $226,000 Sapphire Grand Prix, has always said that Devon is one of his favorite shows, and he almost never misses it.

His daughter Lilly is entered in the Small Pony section on Celebration and Kingsley and in the Medium Pony section on Woodlands Corduroy.

The Devon Grand Prix, always a sell-out, standing room only favorite, is celebrating its 42nd year this year on Thursday evening, May 29.

Another perennial Devon spectator favorite, who was been Leading Jumper Rider many times, is Laura Chapot of Neshanic Station, N.J.

Her sister Wendy Chapot Nunn has two entered in the 1.15m Amateur Jumpers, Cashe' and Zealous.

Scott Stewart, almost a perennial Leading Hunter Rider, has five horses entered this year,

Stewart of Flemington, N.J., has Fidelio in Green Conformation, California Love and For Always in High Performance Conformation Hunters, Balou's Beau in 3'9" Green Hunters and Daydream in High Performance Hunters.

Santa Anita Park to be the equestrian venue for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028

Details: April 17, 2025; By SARA CAVANAGH

Santa Anita Park, located near the Los Angeles city area, has been confirmed as the venue of the equestrian events of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.

ris
Team silver medalist Karl Cook on Caracole de la Roque at the Paris Olympics (Photo by Benjamin Clark)“Santa Anita Park will be a spectacular venue for the LA28 Olympic equestrian events,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.

“The FEI has very fond memories of Santa Anita, which had hosted the equestrian events at the 1984 Olympic Games," said DeVos. "The venue is set to offer a breathtaking stage for all the Olympic equestrian competitions and the proximity to LA City will undoubtedly attract many spectators to Santa Anita. We look forward to continuing our cooperation with LA28 to deliver spectacular equestrian events at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.”

“I would like to thank the FEI on behalf of the IOC for the active engagement in all the discussions regarding the venue,” IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell said. “We have created a strong partnership with the Organising Committee and the city of Los Angeles, which enjoys the full support of the local equestrian community.”

"We have the utmost confidence in the LA28 Organizing Committee, and we anticipate exceptional equestrian sport will take place at this special legacy venue from the 1984 Olympic Games. We are also extremely pleased that the IOC has confirmed the athlete quotas across the disciplines for 2028 and they remain unchanged from 2024,” said Bill Moroney, Chief Executive Officer of US Equestrian.

All three equestrian disciplines to be a part of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles

Details: April 14, 2025; By Staff Writers

LOS ANGELES, Calif.--Super news for the equestrian community.

Christian Kukuk on Checker 47, Paris individual gold medalist (Photo by Benjamin Clark)Jumping, Dressage and Eventing – the Olympic equestrian disciplines since 1912 - will be part of the competition at the Los Angeles 2028 (LA28) Olympic Games.

The equestrian program will consist of six medal events: a Team and an Individual medal event in each of the three disciplines.

Equestrian retains the 200 quota places it had in Paris in 2024 and the breakdown by discipline remains unchanged, i.e. 75 for Jumping, 60 for Dressage, and 65 for Eventing.

The decision was taken by the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which met April 9.

“We are extremely pleased with today’s IOC decision,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.

“The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games were a historic success for equestrian sport, which proved very popular with the live crowds and TV and online viewers worldwide. It’s a great news that our numbers remain unchanged and we are looking forward to delivering exciting sport at the same level of excellence.”

JJ Torano is Show Jumping Hall of Fame Rider for the second time

Details: April 3, 2025; By Staff Writers

Lexington, KY – April 3, 2025 – JJ Torano of Mohrsville, Pa., and Wellington, Fla., has won the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Rider of the Month Award for March.

JJ Toranoon Kochio Z JJ Torano on Kochio ZThis is the second consecutive month he has received this award.

A talented junior rider, Torano competes in the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series’ East Conference.

During another busy month at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Torano had top 12 finishes in the $10,000 SJHOF 1.45m Junior Jumper classics each week.

He started the month with an eighth-place finish on Lyon 50 at WEF 8.

At WEF 9, he was third and eighth on Good Mood Semilly and Concentalla PS, respectively, followed by a fourth-place finish with Lyon 50 at WEF 10.

At WEF 11, he won on Good Mood Semilly, as well as placing second on Lyon 50, 10th on HH Jamil Field, and 11th on Vitus K.

To close out the month, he had two more podium finishes with Kochio Z and Chewbacca HCC at WEF 12, second and third, respectively, as well as ninth on Lyon 50.

These strong, consistent placings helped Torano earn the Hall of Fame’s Rider of the Month Award for March.