SAUGERTIES, N.Y.--JJ Torano on Dora du Valon won the $31,020 CSI3* Jumper Classic on Wednesday, Sept.2 at HITS Hudson Valley.
JJ Torano on Dora du Valon (Photo by ESI Photography)Over the Power and Speed course set by Bernardo Cabral of Portugal, Torano went 10th of 34 and finished clean in 29.120, almost two seconds faster then second placed Christian Coyle of Ireland on Chicago CM, who finished in 30.730, and Jonathan McCrea on Compari was third in 30.970.
Nineteen of the 34 went clean in the Speed phase, but Torano was still the fastest of them all.
It was Torano's fourth win of the HITS season on Dora du Valon.
“SHE'S SUPER quick and competitive, she doesn’t want to touch the jumps,” said Torano. “I’d say she’s definitely my speed horse. I jumped her in the two-star as my main horse last week in the Hamptons, but for the most part, I jump her in these speed classes, and we’ll do a couple jump-off classes here and there.”
At the age of 16, most young riders are still making their way up the equitation and junior jumper ranks, but for show jumping legacy JJ Torano, turning 16 means being able to finally compete in FEI competitions.
“It took me a couple of classes to get adapted because it is definitely different,” he said. “It’s more pressure for sure; in the national classes you still compete against the top riders, but the level of competition is different. You can really tell the difference between a 1.45m Junior/Amateur class and a 1.45m FEI class.
“There’s a noticeable difference in the courses too,” he said. “The jumps are maybe a hole or two bigger, and the oxers are wider. It’s definitely a step up, but the horses have risen to the challenge well, and I’m feeling comfortable now, so it’s been a great move.”
