WELLINGTON, Fla.--Jimmy Torano on Kochio Z won Saturday's featured event, the $32,000, CSI4 1.50m Speed on Nov. 30 at the Holiday & Horses show.

Jimmy Torano on Kochio Z (Photo by Sportfot)Torano won with a blazing first round time of 64.06 seconds, securing the top spot on the podium over a field of 36.

Torano and Kochio Z have a winning partnership. 

"This is a horse I've had since he was 7," said Torano. "He's a real winner. I mean, this horse I can count on a lot. He runs a lot of ranking classes. He's won a lot of Grand Prixs, just a very, very reliable horse. He's very careful, and he is extremely fast."

Success at this level is a team effort, and Torano praised his groom, Pablo, for his exceptional care and dedication.

"He's taken care of this horse since the day I got him," said Torano. "He knows him inside and out. He does a great job with him. He's got a very good demeanor, so horses really like him. He's my FEI groom for both of my horses that are in FEI this week, and he does a really, really good job."

 

LOOKING ahead, Torano plans to give Kochio Z a well-deserved break in December to prepare for the 2025 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).

"He'll probably start up maybe the second or third week in January and do the three-star Grand Prix the second or third week here during WEF and then, you know, we will go from there."

Nayel Nassar of Egypt and Alberto Michan of Israel completed Saturday’s FEI podium.

Nassar placed second on Donvier with a time of 65.19 seconds, adding to his successful week at Wellington International.

Nassar won the $32,000, CSI4* 1.45m class on Friday and placed second in the $65,000, CSI4* Grand Prix Qualifier on Thursday.

Michan on Patience Van Den Dries was third with a time of 66.9 seconds.