Jimmy Torano trained two NAL Champions at Capital Challenge Horse Show (2)
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October 5, 2024
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By Staff Writers
UPPER MARLBORO, Md.--Jimmy Torano of Mohrsville, Pa., trains Jole Kosloske and Andee Holland, who won two of the five North American League (NAL) Finals classes at the Capital Challenge Horse Show on Thursday, Oct. 3
Joie Kosloske on Floralie (Photo by Shawn McMillen)Jole Kosloske of Tampa, Fla., on Floralie won the $10,000 NAL 1.15m Junior Jumper Final over the 33 qualified entries, 12 of which were clean to make it to the jump-off.
Blazing to the win was Kosloske, who finished clean in 29.955 seconds.
Katherine Mercer on GVS Goodwins Queen was second, clean in 33.292 seconds, and Gray Neville on Valeria was third in 33.298 seconds.
Kosloske, who trains with Torano, took her experience from the first round and made a solid plan for the jump-off.
“Floralie dipped a little right after jump five, so I knew in the jump-off not to do that,” she said. “I was trying to keep in the time and be clear. Jimmy told me for the last line to do seven strides and that I would see it. When we walked it, it was eight strides and a very long seven, but Floralie covered that for me.
“The last line definitely is where we made up time,” she said. “We were running out of that. After the one-stride, she did that inside turn really well. I saw the distance, and it worked out perfectly.”
KOSLOSKE has ridden Floralie, a 9-year-old Selle Francais mare, for a year.
The mare previously competed in FEI competition with Yuri Mansur of Brazil and was brought to the U.S. by Olympian Kent Farrington.
“She is very kind, and she tries very hard for me, which I appreciate with my choices,” said Kosloske. “She’s just so sweet and loves peppermints.”
Kosloske was named Best 1.10m/1.15m Junior Jumper Rider.
Andee Holland of Miami Beach, Fla., on Lochridge Prince won the championship in the Adult Amateur Hunter 50 & Over division with two wins over fences and a score of 90 in the stake class.
Along with that championship, Holland also was the Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Champion and was the Best Adult Amateur Rider.
Her trainer, Jimmy Torano, was presented with The Gail Knieriem Memorial Trophy.
Holland and Torano found “Prince” four years ago when Holland wanted a horse that could compete in Adult Hunters.
“I immediately fell in love with him, and he’s absolutely perfect,” said Holland. “He’s so easygoing, calm, and affectionate; he’s everything you would want him to be. He’s really perfect, and I’ve never had a horse like him before.”
Holland previously rode in English Pleasure saddle seat classes with Saddlebreds and Arabians before making the switch to the hunter/jumper discipline 15 years ago.
She has trained with Torano for 10 years.
“I started riding in the hunters because it added another dimension with jumping, and it piqued my interest and was more challenging,” she said. “It was a whole new thing for me. I got a horse first when I was 13 years old, and ever since then I’ve always loved horses.”
In her third time showing at Capital Challenge, Holland said that is one of her best wins and a big accomplishment to score in the 90s again.
“He had the perfect energy, and the distances came up great, especially in the second round,” she said. “Both rounds were everything I could have wanted. It means a lot to be grand champion here. It’s a great honor and very exciting.”
Wynter Johnson of Cornelius, N.C., on Cessna won the $10,000 NAL 1.15m Amateur Jumper Final that had 23 entries in the opening round with 10 returning for the jump-off.
Johnson was clean in 32.319 seconds for the win, and Kendall Casaccio on Indigo ES – last year’s Final winners – was second in 33.291 seconds with Jeanne Reid on Atalante d’Uhart third in 33.296 seconds.
“I felt that everything flowed super well,” said Johnson. “All the jumps were set in a good place where you could find them well out of the corner, and then the jump-off was super fun. Down the last line, we did the seven strides and kind of had to get up there to get that done. I definitely think that's where we made up the most time.”
Johnson had a busy day, having attended classes at North Carolina State University in Raleigh in the morning and then driven to Maryland for her evening competition.
“I am on track to graduate a year early, and school is very important to me,” said the Chemistry major. “I love to do this, so I try my hardest to be able to come to the shows. I had class this morning, and I drove four hours here to make the Final. I’m definitely glad that it was worth it to come and show today.”
John Ingram of Nashville, Tenn., on Romeo was the Grand Amateur-Owner 3’6” Hunter Champion after winning a first and two seconds over fences along with a win under saddle to take the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6” 36 & Over championship.
“The funniest thing to me is, I was looking at the trophies out there and my daughter Martha's name was already on it,” he said. “So, I guess I'm glad to say I'm in good company. Thank goodness I can kind of keep up with my kid.”
Martha Ingram rode Romeo to win he grand championship in 2022 when John broke his collarbone, but once healed, John took over the ride.
“He is kind of a horse of a lifetime, honestly,” said Ingram. “He's beautiful, he jumps great, he can win the hack, and he's game. When it's a big moment, he's right there for you. He’s a horse for particularly big moments.”
Stephanie Danhakl on Quest placed first, second, and second over fences on the way to winning the division championship in the Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunters 36 & Over and winning the Grand Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter Championship.
Danhakl on Quest has ridden in this division for11 years,and she won these same awards in 2016, and Danhakl is still amazed at the vitality and consistency of the 17-year-old Quest.
“For him to be grand champion eight years ago and again today, in such a competitive division where you have to score in the 90s to win a class, truly just speaks to his heart and what an incredible horse he is, as well as the care that he gets,” said Danhakl, who trains with Scott Stewart. “He's really the same as he was. You know, certain horses, they feel older, or year to year, they might feel a little different. He's really been the same for 11 years.”
“He's very easy on himself." she said. "He's actually has a bit of blood, and he’s not ever tired. Last year, actually, I almost got bucked off of him."
The NAL offers year-long series in six divisions – Adult Hunter, Children’s Hunter, 1.10/1.15m Amateur Jumper, 1.10/1.15m Junior Jumper, 1.20/1.25m Junior/Amateur Jumper and 1.30/1.35m Junior/Amateur Jumper.
The NAL qualifying season runs from Sept. 1 through Aug. 31.
NAL qualifying classes are open to all competitors, but only current members are awarded points.
Annual memberships are only $45 per rider.
The team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Anne Kursinski and Team Leader Erin Keating.
The US Equestrian Open of Eventing will consist of 19 qualifying events around the country leading into the series final, to be hosted at Morven Park International, ultimately crowning the inaugural US Equestrian Open of Eventing champion.
