More Champions Named in Junior, Amateur-Owner and Pony Hunter Divisions
Edited Press Release
Bridgehampton, NY – August 31, 2024 – Following two rounds of judging and an additional work-off to determine the top three placings, JJ Torano of Wellington, FL, took the crown in the $10,000 Hermès Equitation Championship at the 49th annual Hampton Classic. He and The Lucky Four Group’s 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding Favorite Edition Z earned a total of 263 points for the win.
The Hampton Classic, August 25-September 1, is one of the world’s most prestigious horse shows, featuring competitors from young children in leadline to Olympic, World, and World Cup Champions. Rated USEF Premier-6 with designated FEI 5* and 2* show jumping classes, the Classic also has competitions for riders with disabilities.
Nick Granat (USA) designed two technical, 15-effort courses set at 1.15m for the $10,000 Hermès Equitation Championship, where 22 equitation riders presented their skills over each jumper-style track for judges Troy Hendricks and Rachel Kennedy.
Eva Mackenzie of Darien, CT, was the leading rider after the first round with 91 points aboard her 11-year-old Warmblood mare Demonia GS Z. After she earned 84 points in the second round for a 175-point total, and Torano and Sydney Raidy (New York, NY) both earned 173 points, the judges called all three back into the ring for a final work-off.
“In the schooling area, we practiced a lot of testing items – counter-canter, trot jumps and halts – but we didn’t know what to expect walking back into the ring for the work-off. We just had to practice everything we knew,” said Torano, who won individual gold in the Pre-Junior division at this year’s FEI North American Young Rider Jumping Championships (NAYC) presented by USHJA.
“We had a good day today,” said Torano’s trainer, Missy Clark. “JJ rode very well, and the horse was amazing. We are all thrilled. JJ was a bit conservative in the first round and slightly slow for the first two jumps, but he really nailed the second round. We had the option to leave a stride out to get under the time, which was really tight for his horse because he has such a big, slow stride. JJ really made concise, short turns, and I think the judges really recognized that which gave him a high score. He accomplished the test really well, and we were really pleased.”
Torano and Favorite Edition Z earned 263 points for first place, while John Brennan and Clark won the $10,000 Trainer’s Award. Second went to Raidy, a student of Frank Madden, aboard Taylor Madden’s 15-year-old Anglo-European gelding Mac One III with 253 points. Under the watchful eye of Brianne Goutal-Marteau, Mackenzie and her 11-year-old Warmblood mare Demonia GS Z finished third with 245 points.
“This ring is a lot different from a lot of other championships,” Torano said. “Most championships are at the indoor shows with smaller rings. There are a couple of horse show championships that are outside, but not like this. This is one of the best equitation championships. Hermès is a great sponsor, and this is a great show to host it. It was incredible today.”
“JJ is such a natural talent,” Clark said. “He’s got a great brain for the whole sport and is an amazing student and hard worker. It’s his inherent ability that no one can teach him that really is his best attribute. I think any naturally gifted rider has an edge, but one that is willing to work extra hard in addition to talent always seems to go the farthest in this sport. We were thrilled today, and it’s always great to work with Jimmy and Danielle (Torano). They really had a huge part in developing their son.”
In the hunter rings, more champions were crowned as several divisions featuring Junior, Amateur-Owner and Pony hunters concluded throughout the day. Torano brought home an additional win in the Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under 3’6” presented by Can We Keep It? LLC Championship riding Isalou Inc.’s Disney. Joining him in the winner’s circle was Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under 3’6” presented by John and Stephanie Ingram Champion Vivian Golden of Wyomissing, PA, riding her Chamonix. Golden also earned the Grand Junior Hunter Championship.
Stephanie Danhakl of Pacific Palisades, CA, and her Tufton Avenue earned the Human Touch Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter 36+ Championship, while Stella Propp of New York, NY, and Aquitaine Equine’s Arabesque walked away with the Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter 18-35 Championship and the Breitling Trophy sponsored by Stephanie Bulger and MeadowView Farm.
Kenzie Smith of New York, NY, rode Charlotte Kelly’s On Tour to the Grand Pony Hunter Championship with her successful performance in the Large Pony Hunter division; Smith also earned the associated Currey Challenge Cup. Cisy Zhou of New York, NY, claimed top honors in the other championships, riding her Fortnite in the Small Pony Hunter and Editorial in the Medium Pony Hunter divisions. In the $2,500 Pony Hunter Classic presented by Oceans Edge Farm, Lilly Ward of Brewster, NY, piloted Twin Island LLC’s In My Dreams to victory.
For live show results, visit HamptonClassic.com.
