JJ Torano entered this year’s show season pushed by a strong tailwind, having just become the youngest ever Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final winner in 2024, and he never slowed down. His first big equitation win came in February with the WEC Premier Equitation Cup Championship (Florida), a pressure-filled class that requires precision, strength, and composure—traits Torano showed with ease.

Torano stacked up victories in all three rings as the year progressed, including earning team gold with Zone 4 and individual bronze at the Gotham North/FEI North American Youth Jumping Championship (Michigan). His winning streak continued into the fall indoors season, including earning the William C. Steinkraus Style of Riding Award and best junior rider on a horse, 3’6”, at the Pennsylvania National, and best child rider on a horse and leading junior jumper rider at the Washington International (Maryland). He arrived at the National Horse Show (Kentucky) to deliver the performance that defined his year, winning the 2025 ASPCA Maclay Final with the poise of a veteran at just 15. 

With a lifetime still ahead of him, Torano’s motto remains steadfast: Do the best job you can on the horse you have, in the moment that you have it. As he looks toward 2026, he’s balancing equitation goals, new jumper ambitions, and the day-to-day realities of riding a large and varied string. We caught up with him to reflect on what he’s learned so far, what he’s aiming for next, and the people and horses who have helped him get there.

Do you plan on doing any equitation classes in 2026 and beyond? Any goals for the rest of your junior career, which still has years left?

The equitation part is a little undecided right now. We have a couple sales horses, so during the Winter Equestrian Festival [Florida] I will ride those to help get them all sold. My good horse “Eddie” [Favorite Edition Z] was sold last week, so right now I might try to go to the USET and the WIHS finals, but it’s not set in stone.

For now during WEF, I know I’ll be doing the equitation, but I won’t be competing on Sundays at WEF in the equitation. I would say, for the rest of my junior career, I can finally do the U25 [jumper] classes and some FEI classes and work my way up on both those ranking lists.

How do you adjust your ride depending on which discipline—hunters, jumpers, or equitation—you’re doing?

I’d say the equitation is a little bit like a set up for the jumper ring, except for any hunter phases. Equitation classes really are grand prix courses, just at a smaller level, where you learn line and track and the American style of position on the horse. A lot of time what causes rails for people is their position.

I also think that each ring asks different questions. In the hunter ring, I’m really trying to do my best to show off the horse, so everything I do helps with that in the saddle. The equitation ring, you change the focus to your own position and effectiveness. Then in the jumper ring, it’s about taking what you learn in the equitation ring and creating that jump, holding your position, and trying to get around clear. 

When you’re competing on so many horses in one weekend, how do you quickly adapt to each one?

Most of the horses that I’m riding in a given weekend I know quite well. Every now and then, though, I do catch-ride something I’ve never sat on before. One thing that really helps is that I feel like I watch the rings a lot, so I already know something about most of the horses in my divisions. At the National, for example, I knew all of those horses very well. I got to catch ride Alice Goodwin’s hunter at Washington [where he and Disney took reserve champion in the small junior hunters, 15 and under], so I already knew that horse quite well from other shows.

Getting to know those horses, I feel like when I get on a horse we go through the same routine every time. You do the basics each way, you do lead changes, you see how they naturally want to go. Then back at home we don’t like jumping big, so getting to know them over small jumps, little gymnastics—not really pushing too much at home—that’s a big part of it too.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned from your dad, Jimmy Torano, about riding?

I would say position is really the one thing he probably talks about the most—the basics and fundamentals of a good position. He also is very big on the straightness of the horse; that also can cause a lot of rails in the ring. I also think, from the start, he drilled into me that not every horse is the same, and that you can’t muscle the horse—there has to be a balance between softness and being firm—and you have to figure out what’s best for the horse. The mares especially might need more time; you can’t rush anything and get the best result. 

How about from your mom, Danielle Torano? Besides your parents, who are your mentors in the sport/who are some riders you admire?

I’ve always been known to be a little bit hard on myself in the ring. I don’t like making mistakes—nor does anybody else probably. I struggled with that for a while, and for the past year and a half, I’ve worked with [sports psychologist] Mario Soto, which has been a huge help. Before that, though, my mom was always ringside helping me with the mental piece. It’s not always going to go perfect every time. I think that was the biggest thing that helped my riding, her being there for the moments when I was in my own head. 

We’ve been close with McLain Ward. He’s been a big help with the mental part of it, also. I think he was the first to introduce the idea of a sports psychologist. He’s also always there helping me out and giving me lessons. He’s always been a huge help with my riding.

Rodrigo Pessoa has also been a big help with my riding. They’ve both accomplished so much, and I really look up to them both as examples of where I want to go in the sport.

What are your long-term goals in the sport?

Obviously I’ve jumped up to the 1.50-meter level, and that’s been incredibly exciting. I hope to keep staying on that upward trajectory. I want to jump “big” jumps one day, at one point I would like to reach the 1.60 level and jump on a Nations Cup team for the U.S. 

I was lucky enough to represent the U.S. for the first time this summer in Lier, Belgium; that was a great opportunity. For now I’m looking to stay consistent and hopefully one day reach the top five-star level. 

Who are the horses that have the biggest impact on your career so far?

There have been a couple. The first horse that really brought me the most joy was Kybalia SMH/SVN [a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood (Baltic VDL—Gin Gin Balia SMH) owned by the Toranos’ JET Show Stables]. I won Young Riders on her in the pre-junior section. Our guy that we work with, Willem Greve, I was maybe 11 or 12, and we had been looking for a jumper, and we just needed something perfect to take me around, and he sent her over without much notice. He told us, “Just ride her,” and she was a young horse, but we figured each other out. 

Our partnership in the beginning was a little rough, I even said that I didn’t want to do the jumpers after a few bad classes, considering we were both green. But we both kept going, and I remember I went to Upperville (Virginia) in 2022, and we won every class. After that, I couldn’t wait to go to Lake Placid (New York), which was my first time moving up to the 1.10-meter level, and we just kept growing with each other. 

She had an injury, and when she came back, we didn’t know what to expect, but she kept moving up with me. We were first in a WEF classic in 2024, and then another, and I had a few options for Young Riders, but I knew all along that I wanted to ride her. I brought her there, and she went clear in every class. We were second the first day, and then the first rider pulled out, so I was in the lead.

We just knew each other so well; there wasn’t a doubt in her mind about winning that year. We had such a good partnership, and I think that was the first horse that brought it all together for me.

When you’re not riding or in the barn, what do you like to do?

School is one thing. To be honest I would say, aside from that, over the summers I’m pretty much in the barn for the entire day. When I’m not, I’m usually just hanging out with friends. That’s probably the most I do. 

What’s your earliest memory on a horse?

One of my favorite memories—and one that I remember very well—was that I had this little pony named Mighty Mouse, and we were jumping her one day at the farm in Florida, and McLain came over, and we were all just hanging out in the ring. I thought it was a good idea to see how high I could jump, so my dad just kept putting up the jumps, and I kept galloping right down. Eventually, Mighty Mouse jumped so hard that I flew right out of the tack. She cleared it every time, though; she never had a rail! I was sitting in the dirt laughing; we were all laughing actually.

Is there anything in particular you would love readers to know about you that I haven’t asked?

Maybe that people on the outside looking in don’t always realize the amount of people behind all of the riders. It really is a team effort. I wouldn’t be where I am without these horses, without the vet, chiro, acupuncture, etc. A lot goes on that people don’t see. And the credit needs to be shared, not just speaking for myself, but I think a lot of it is the team behind all of these riders.

The post Precision And Poise Carry JJ Torano Through A Banner 2025 appeared first on The Chronicle of the Horse.

She began her autumn by taking reserve champion in the small junior hunter, 16–17, division at the Washington International Horse Show (Maryland) with her own Jagerbomb in October, then repeated the result at the National Horse Show (Kentucky) with Braavos, a 12-year-old Oldenburg (Rock Forever I—Scarlett) owned by Brookway Stables. From there she captured the USEF/NCEA Junior Hunter Seat Medal Final—West (California) on Bridgeport Farms LLC’s Kruz on Nov. 11, followed last week by the WCE Junior Amateur Medal Final, also on Kruz, and the USHJA 3’6” junior hunter championship and the grand junior hunter title with Braavos at the Marshall & Sterling/USHJA National Championships (Nevada).

“It feels really good,” she said. “I am grateful for the teams I have and the amazing horses I get to ride. I am just very grateful for all of it.” 

Watch the first-round performance at the USEF/NCEA Junior Hunter Seat Medal Final—West that helped Tatum earn the win with Kruz on Nov. 9 at Desert International Horse Park (California), courtesy of USEF Network:

The modesty is genuine, but behind it is a rider who has been steadily preparing for a streak of this caliber. 

Tatum’s equitation partner Kruz only stepped into the division a little more than a year ago, yet the pair has quickly progressed. Before arriving in the United States, the Dutch Warmblood gelding (Graziano—G. Termie) owned by Bridgeport Farms LLC competed in the jumpers in Europe. Upon arrival stateside, he went to John Bragg for hunter experience and exposure to the different style of American jumps. 

Tatum then took over the ride and gave Kruz his start in the equitation ring. From the beginning, her partnership with the gelding felt natural.

“He took to the equitation ring easily,” she said. “The hunters helped him get used to the flower boxes and fill that we have in the U.S., but he is a big, slow-strided horse and very much the equitation type.”

In his first year he won the Region 8 ASPCA Maclay Regional and finished 11th at Maclay Finals, indicating how quickly he grew into the job.

One significant shift in Tatum’s program this year came from spending the season showing consistently on the East Coast, a major change for a rider who has long been based in California. Training with Missy Clark and her team at North Run, alongside continued guidance from Bragg and her longtime California-based trainer Archie Cox of Brookway Stables, brought new challenges and a different competitive rhythm. 

“Showing on the East Coast consistently made indoors feel less overwhelming and more like part of a normal schedule,” she said. “It helped me stay settled and ride more naturally.” 

The coaching helped prepare her for one of the most challenging moments of her autumn: a horse-swap during the WIHS Junior Equitation Finals, where she finished fifth riding North Run’s Tanzanite de Semilly. 

“There was so much pressure riding a horse I had never sat on with only a few jumps to get to know him,” she said of swapping onto Heritage Farm’s Rio di Cantero. “I had not seen him before, but when I got on, I felt like I clicked with him right away. He was easy and very well schooled.” 

This fall was Tatum’s first indoor season without Cox standing at the in-gate, as he was sidelined by a colon surgery in early October. She relied on North Run for day-to-day coaching but stayed closely connected to Cox by phone and text. 

“It was definitely different not having Archie there,” she said. “But I was comfortable with North Run, and we sent him all the results so he could keep up.”

Cox watched her progress with pride.

 “I am very proud of everything she has done this year,” he said. “We were in constant communication.”

Cox, who has coached Tatum for years, said what makes her successful has been clear from the beginning. 

“She has outstanding feel, an excellent eye for the distance and she is extremely sympathetic to the horses,” he said. “She was born with an eye. When you give her good information, she takes it in and fine tunes it immediately. Her ability to ride many different horses has always helped her.”

With one junior year left, Tatum already has her sights set on what comes next. “I want to do even better at the Maclay—hopefully a top-three finish,” she said. “And I want to start doing the high junior jumpers.” Her jumpers include Flotylla and Best Boy 2, and she plans to continue working with North Run in that ring.

Looking beyond her junior years, Tatum isn’t sure whether she’ll turn professional one day, but she has committed to Auburn University (Alabama) and will join their NCAA varsity equestrian team in 2027.

 “I really liked Auburn,” she said. “I already had a lot of friendships there, which made it feel comfortable. I liked the academic support, and everyone was so nice. There were so many things that were appealing as a student athlete.”

When she’s there, Cox knows she’ll make an impression both in the saddle and out.

“Violet is very quiet, but she is extremely funny,” he said. “She seems so unassuming, and then the next thing you know she knocks you out with a one-liner.”

The post For Violet Tatum, The Indoor Season Has Come Up All Roses appeared first on The Chronicle of the Horse.

The daughter of trainer Nori Scheffel and blacksmith Dave Scheffel, Finley grew up at her parents’ Scheffelridge Farm in Paris, Kentucky, where hard work and horsemanship came first. So when she was named the winner of the 2025 MZ Farms/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session, it was the culmination of years spent learning to make the most of whatever horse was in front of her and whatever opportunity came along.

“My mom and grandma say I won my first blue ribbon when I was 18 months old,” Finley said. “It was leadline, of course, but I’ve been on a horse as long as I could sit up.”

As a professional’s child, Finley didn’t have six-figure horses waiting in the barn; instead, she learned to make her own. 

“We breed and raise Welsh ponies, and as a junior that became my sweet spot,” she said. “We put local miles on them, use them in the lesson program, and turn them into all-around good citizens. I’m extremely proud of helping give them the best start possible.”

Her junior hunter Fabulous Platinum, whom her family bred, holds a special place in her heart.

“He was bottle-fed because he couldn’t drink his mother’s colostrum,” she said. “We raised him from day one, and now I do the juniors on him.” 

Over time she developed a knack for horses with quirks. 

“Most of the ones I’ve shown either have something tricky or they’re the ones nobody else seems to figure out,” she said. “That’s been my thing—listening to them and working with what they give you.” 

That mindset carried Scheffel through multiple trips to the USHJA Emerging Athletes Program, first at the regional level and then progressing to the national level , on a wide variety of horses. The journey began in 2022 at The Ledges (Illinois) on a Quarter Horse with tricky changes named Not So Badd. Candice King instructed the riding portion that year.

“I felt a little out of place going in,” Finley admitted. “But then I realized everyone was in the same boat. There were all kinds of horses and riders, and it’s such a great experience to see how different styles handle the same questions.” 

She didn’t move on from the regional session in Illinois that first year, but left determined to come back stronger.

In 2023, she returned on Artano G, a former 1.45-meter jumper, for her regional session with Julie Winkel as the riding clinician and Chris Eadline overseeing stable management. That year, she earned a callback to the national training session as a stable manager, where Colleen Reed supervised the barn and Peter Wylde led the riding sessions.

“The stable management piece is huge,” Finley said. “I learned what a spider bandage was, and I’m a trainer’s kid! You pick up things you didn’t even know you didn’t know, which is such an important part of the program.”

Her persistence paid off in 2024. Once again partnered with Artano G, she trained under Jeff Cook at her regional session and earned her first trip to the national session as a rider, where Joe Fargis served as clinician.

“That year really showed me what the program can do,” she said. “Each clinician adds a layer. You see different systems, different exercises to get to the same result, and it all connects.”

By 2025, Scheffel had found her rhythm. Riding an off-the-track Thoroughbred named Italian Syndicate, a catch ride from a family friend, she competed at regionals with Nicki Shahinian-Simpson teaching riding and Eadline once again in charge of stable management. 

“Nicki really liked ‘Guido,’ ” Finley said. “She understood how tricky Thoroughbreds could be and how to finesse him. Guido is probably the most jumpery horse I’ve ever ridden, and definitely the trickiest, but he made me ride my best. I could feel how much I’d grown since last year.”

This year’s nationals was held Nov. 6-9 at at Midway University  (Kentucky)—home turf for Finley, a freshman who rides on the school’s IHSA team— where she put it all together under lead clinician Fargis to earn the 2025 EAP National Training Session champion title. Each participant drew their mount for the event out of a hat, which meant Finley called on all of her catch riding experience to quickly create a partnership with Meredith Denton’s Nightlife B. 

The national training session involved a Nations Cup-style team event and concluded with a six-rider work-off to determine the champion. Each finalist was assigned a new horse to navigate a shortened five-jump course featuring rollbacks and bending lines designed to test adaptability and skill under pressure. Scheffel’s consistency, attention to detail, and horsemanship earned her the top honor. Fargis, the EAP Committee and Reed, who led the stable management portion of the competition, “recognized Scheffel’s growth, horsemanship, and tenacity, all qualities that ultimately earned her the title,” according to a press release announcing her win.

“The participants this week were all really good riders, all 16 of them,”  Fargis said in the press release. “They started on horses that were completely new to them, and every single one of them got better and better with their horses as the week went on.

“When it came to naming a winner, it wasn’t just about who jumped the best,” he added. “It’s about their overall horsemanship, their habits in the stable, how they treat their horses, and their knowledge. The winner isn’t defined by just riding ability; it’s everything combined. This year, that person was Finley. She had a great three days and she deserved it.”

“What makes EAP so special is that you get your foot in the door with big-name riders you wouldn’t normally be around,” Finley said. “They all have different structures and exercises, but somehow their methods meet in the middle. Joe’s focus, for example, is straightness and feel. Every clinician adds another layer to how you think and ride.”

Listen to Scheffel talk about the EAP program, courtesy of USHJA:

Just as valuable are the friendships and connections forged through the program. 

“It’s a level playing field,” she said. “You meet riders from so many backgrounds, and everyone brings something unique. This year, the group of riders I was with were the strongest I’ve ever seen, and that pushed me to be better both in and out of the saddle.”

Finley said EAP also reinforced lessons in professionalism and humility. 

“It matters how you treat people and who you are outside of the saddle,” she said. “Being eager to help, to learn, to listen, I think ultimately that’s what makes the difference in this business.”

Finley’s approach in and out of the ring has also impressed her coach, Heath Gunnison, at Midway University. Though he’s only worked with her for a short time this semester, Gunnison has known Finley and her family for years through the Kentucky horse community.

“Finley’s work ethic stands out right away,” he said. “She’s an extremely hard worker in the barns and one of the first people to volunteer when something needs to be done. She’s very attentive to the horses and shows great horsemanship in how she cares for them.”

He said her ability to adapt to new rides has been a consistent strength. “She’s great at figuring out horses quickly, which comes from all the catch riding she’s done,” Gunnison said. “Her intuition is excellent.”

Gunnison said those qualities were on full display during this year’s EAP National Training Session.

“I thought her performance was great,” he said. “Having watched her over the years, I thought she was really at her best all weekend long. She had her mindset dialed in. Because she had already been to several regional and national sessions, she came in with a plan and really executed it.”

He said her adaptability played a key role in separating her from a very strong group of riders. “Finley takes instruction well, and combined with her own intuition, she can adapt to what the clinicians want to see,” he said. “I honestly think they could have put her on any horse and she would have met that horse’s needs. That was a big part of her success this past weekend.”

Even in a competitive field, Gunnison said he could see the moment she pulled ahead. “There were several strong riders—it was a great group—but watching her final rounds, she just had that little extra. She was consistent through everything. That’s what stood out.”

Beyond her skill, Gunnison said Finley’s attitude makes her a standout. “She’s outgoing, respectful and kind,” he said. “I’ve had other coaches comment about how polite and friendly she is when we’re at their programs. She makes friends wherever she goes, and that really reflects who she is.”

At Midway University, Finley is balancing academics with riding. After starting in equine science, just in case she wants to go to veterinary school, she’s now studying marketing with an equine minor. 

“I want the option to not work in the industry full-time if I don’t want to,” she said, “and I also want a few years as an amateur before deciding whether to go pro.”

Whatever direction she takes, her roots will stay the same. “In our program, the horses live out 24/7,” she said. “We have one assistant rider, someone who helps feed, and a bunch of kids who are responsible for their own horses. My parents instilled that if you want it, you work for it. You’re in charge of your own horse.

“Honestly, my biggest point of pride might be my ability to really use the curry comb,” she added. “That’s the type of thing that really matters.”

To learn more about the MZ Farms/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program, click here.

The post For Emerging Athletes Program Champion Finley Scheffel, Perseverance And Tenacity Pay Off appeared first on The Chronicle of the Horse.

Abby Steller, the horse’s owner, had offered McMillion the ride just a few weeks ahead of the finals. Because of McMillion’s school schedule, she didn’t have an opportunity to practice with “Timmy” until she arrived to compete in the championship. 

“We kind of put our feelers out throughout the year, and maybe three weeks ago, Abby Steller, the horse’s owner, called me and said, ‘I heard you’re looking for a horse. Do you want to use Timmy?’ ” McMillion said. “And it was instant—you can’t say no to that! She’s so generous. She said, ‘I just want to be able to watch him, and I’ve watched you grow up.’ So out of the kindness of her heart, she let me ride her horse, and he is incredible.”

Watch McMillion’s third phase on Change Up PS, courtesy of USEF Network:

McMillion climbed from seventh to the top of the championship on the second day of the multi-phase competition. The 2025 edition of the championship followed the lead of the new format debuted at this year’s Talent Search Finals—East: points from the first two phases, while still judged separately, were combined. Each athlete completed their individual flatwork test, immediately followed by the gymnastic course. 

On Friday, riders tackled the flatwork and gymnastic phases—where Katalina Raiszadeh and Cetello took the initial lead—followed by Saturday’s jumper course. The top four riders’ then moved on to a work-off where scores reset to zero, and they swapped mounts, riding each of the four horses over a shortened jumping course. 

Judges Jimmy Torano and Lillie Keenan brought back four pairs for the final phase, Shiloh Roseboom and Zazou, Sophia Blake and E-Up, Raiszadeh with Cetello, along with McMillion and Timmy. McMillion said she called on her collegiate catch-riding skills to be competitive in the new structure. 

“The flat phase was a new format for this year,” McMillion said. “Going into it, I tried to keep a level head. I’m on a team at college and we compete in a very similar format, so I had that background and tried to use that to my advantage.”

For McMillion, after all the horses she’s ridden in competition and at college, she gives Timmy high praise, and not just for being talented. He’s simply a thrill to ride.

“I haven’t had that much fun in a long time,” she said. “He’s truly an incredible animal. He’s so scopey; he could jump the moon if you ask. He does all the things. He gives you the best feeling in the air. He’s easy to prep. I can’t say enough about him.”

For full results, click here.

The post Video: McMillion Banks On Catch Riding Know-How To Win Talent Search Finals—West appeared first on The Chronicle of the Horse.

Torano is fresh off last year’s Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal win and this winter’s WEC Premier Equitation Cup.

And in Sunday’s Maclay Final, he won with authority.

Torano led the first round with a 93, topped the flat with a 91.87, then sealed the championship with the highest score of the day—a 94.50—in the second round. His final average of 93.46 left him more than 4 points ahead of the field, and judges required no further testing to determine the winner.

“He was extremely smooth throughout all the rounds—very solid in his flatwork. JJ is quite clever at keeping everything so even,” said judge Robin Swinderman Mitchell.

This marks a third championship title with “Eddie”, who also carried Torano to last year’s Medal and the WEC Cup. Torano trains with Missy Clark, John Brennan, and Maggie Gampfer at North Run in partnership with his Jet Show Stables program.

Jet Show Stables shared after the round: “Thank you to the incomparable Favorite Edition Z—what an honor it has been for JJ to have you as his partner. First the Medal and now the Maclay. You are simply the best, Eddie! Thank you to Missy, John, Maggie and the entire North Run crew for co-training JJ and Eddie to this win—we are so thankful for our wonderful partnership.”

The Maclay title capped a staggering week across hunters, jumpers and equitation for Torano, who collected major junior hunter championships with Chivalrous and Tiara, along with top show-jumping placings—including victory in the $20,000 CMJ Sporthorse 1.35m Open Grand Prix.

“Obviously, it’s been a great week,” Torano said. “It’s really a team behind me that makes this success happen.”

See the complete results here.

Watch Torano’s winning second round below, courtesy of ClipMyHorse.tv:

The post Video: Torano & ‘Eddie’ Deliver Dominant Maclay Victory appeared first on The Chronicle of the Horse.

Last fall, JJ Torano won the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final (Pennsylvania). Earlier this year he topped the WEC Premier Equitation Cup Championship (Florida). Now Torano has won another of equitation’s most prestigious prizes: the 2025 ASPCA Maclay Final. Even more impressive? Torano, of Wellington, Florida, just turned 15 in June. (In the WEC Cup, he won a car he’s still not old enough to drive.)

His mount for the Maclay was The Northjet Group’s Favorite Edition Z, a 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood (Favorit Ask—Sunny Girl) and Torano’s partner for both last year’s Medal Final and for the WEC Cup this past winter. Torano trains with Missy Clark, John Brennan and Maggie Gampfer at North Run. 

“He’s a very proven horse,” said Torano about his mount for the Maclay. “This winter would be three years together. He’s really been foot-perfect from the start. I don’t think I can say enough about him. I think he can really shine in these tests where they ask the big questions. I’m lucky to be sitting on him for a big class like this.”

After receiving a 93 in the first round—giving him the lead by 2.5 points—Torano’s flat scored 91.87 to keep him in the lead. In the second jumping round, his performance was definitive enough, with a score of 94.5, that judges didn’t ask for any further testing. His final score of 93.46 boosted him to the victory over Parker Peacock (89.03) and Madison Ramsey (88.40). 

The first track today set by new designer Paul Jewell tested riders early with a bending line from Fence 2 (a triple bar out of the corner) to 3 (a skinnier vertical, where the top rail came down often) to 4 (an oxer off a short approach) before asking them to tackle a double combination of oxers, a line with an airy vertical to a large oxer, then a triple with a vertical, oxer, vertical, before finishing with the ASCPA Maclay fence. 

“I did a lot of studying,” Jewell said about getting ready to set this year’s tracks. “I went back and watched a lot of the videos from Madison Square Garden. I was honored when they asked me to do it.

“I wanted a rider’s path, so they could show off their ability of riding,” he added about the first course. “It’s all about the track and pace, in my book, and the ones you [saw] show off today were the ones that found the right track and path and stayed on pace; they did very well.” 

After the flat phase, 24 riders came back to jump the second round, which featured a technical first line: a vertical across from the out-gate on a slightly offset line to an oxer then to another slightly offset vertical—with four strides between both—which caused issues for a few pairs, as did Fence 4, a skinny vertical of delicate rails. 

“It’s an exercise they’ve probably done in lessons before, but it’s a different thing to do it in the show ring,” Jewell said of the first line. 

“They have to ride,” he added. “[In the first round] we had that one island in the ring to help them steer around the turn, and it wasn’t in the second. But the real test [in the second round] was for them to show off a little bit.” 

According to the judges, that was exactly what Torano did. 

“JJ is quite clever at keeping everything so even. And he’s so strong. He’s so solid,” said James Toon. 

“He was extremely smooth throughout all the rounds and very solid in his flatwork,” added Robin Swinderman Mitchell, who was on Panel 2 with Toon. (Susie Schoellkopf and Tony Sgarlata were on the other panel.) 

Outside of the Maclay, Torano was one of the week’s busiest—and most successful—riders at the National Horse Show, finishing third in the $100,000 1.45-Meter Open Jumper Grand Prix Saturday night and second in the $30,000 1.45-Meter Open Speed Stake in Friday’s costume class with Jet Show Stable’s Vitus K; winning the $20,000 1.35-Meter Open Jumper Grand Prix with Ilan Ferder’s Good Mood Semilly; earning the small junior hunter, 15 and under, title with Firstlee Farm’s Chivalrous; and the large junior hunter, 15 and under, grand large junior hunter, and overall grand junior hunter champion titles with VBK Equine LLC’s Tiara. 

“It’s been a great week,” he said. “I rode a lot of different types of horses. I think almost every one was owned by a different person, so first I’d like to thank the owners. I’d like to thank my parents [professional riders and trainers Jimmy and Danielle Torano] for all they do, my trainers, Missy, John and Maggie; it’s the team behind me that makes the success for me.

“I think almost all of these horses I knew quite well,” he continued. “The equitation, hunters, jumpers, there’s a different question being asked for all of them. So going into the ring and knowing and trusting my horses and knowing the partnership [is key].”

Having done so much already, what’s next for JJ?

“Maybe jump some bigger classes now that I’m old enough,” he said. 

See full results and scores here, see how the day unfolded from our live updates, or check out all of the Chronicle’s National Horse Show coverage.

The post JJ Torano Scores A Wire-To-Wire Win In ASPCA Maclay Final appeared first on The Chronicle of the Horse.

The 2025 ASPCA Maclay Final starts with the first rider, Madison Ramsey, entering the Alltech Arena at 7:08 a.m. EST. It is estimated that the first of three flat groups will start at 3:10 p.m., the second jumping round will begin at 4:20 p.m., with testing, if the judges elect to request it, scheduled for 5:10 p.m. The Chronicle will be updating you with standby lists every 45 riders, so check back often.

For the first year, Paul Jewell designed the tracks today. 

Follow the scores here. Watch the live feed here, or follow along with the online order of go.

6:03 p.m. It’s official: JJ Torano is the winner of the 2025 ASPCA Maclay Final. Here is the full top 10:

1. JJ Torano
2. Parker Peacock
3. Madison Ramsey
4. Adriana Forte
5. Bailey Rowan
6. Rylynn Conway
7. Ellie Sadrian
8. Amy Krebs
9. Paige Walkenbach
10. Amelia Burnside

3:50 p.m. And here are the placings for the top 24 before riders come back for the second jumping round (in approximately 30 minutes); riders will jump in reserve order of current placing:

JJ Torano

Emi Richard

Clayton Farrell

Rylynn Conway

Adriana Forte

Madison Ramsey

Lily Epstein

Faith Schuttemeyer

Kaitlyn Linck

Baylee Rowan

Parker Peacock

Vivian Golden

Ellie Sadrian

Harper Phipps

Ava Barnes

Amelia Burnside

Amy Krebs

Quinn Hunter

Paige Walkenbach

Emma Brody

Caitlyn Gidley

Ella Endzweig

Maggie King

Eleanor Pieters

3:25 p.m.: The riders are still flatting, but the second round course map is hot off the presses. The first line is not misprinted; it actually is slightly offset:

Update 2:45 p.m.: The final standby list from the first round of 176 riders is as follows. Next, the 24 riders flat in three groups before they return for a second jumping round. 

The flat phase is conducted entirely without stirrups: Riders can either take them off the saddle before they enter the ring, cross them over the saddle, or just drop them.

JJ Torano

Parker Peacock

Rylynn Conway

Ella Endzweig

Eleanor Pieters

Clayton Farrell

Amelia Burnside

Maggie King

Adriana Forte

Caitlyn Gidley

Kaitlyn Linck

Ellie Sadrian

Lily Epstein

Harper Phipps

Emi Richard

Madison Ramsey

Ava Barnes

Faith Schuttemeyer

Amy Krebs

Vivian Golden

Quinn Hunter

Emma Brody

Baylee Rowan

Paige Walkenbach

Update 1 p.m.: The standby after 145 riders:

JJ Torano

Parker Peacock

Eleanor Pieters

Clayton Farrell

Amelia Burnside

Caitlyn Gidley

Kaitlyn Linck

Ellie Sadrian

Lily Epstein

Harper Phipps

Emi Richard

Madison Ramsey

Ava Barnes

Faith Schuttemeyer

Amy Krebs

Vivian Golden

Quinn Hunter

Baylee Rowan

Natalie Gannett

Helena Timpany

Georgia Bass

Olivia Pittenger

Brooke Hagerty

Collin Sweetnam

Update 11:00 am. The standby after 90 riders:

JJ Torano

Parker Peacock

Eleanor Pieters

Clayton Farrell

Caitlyn Gidley

Kaitlyn Linck

Lily Epstein

Harper Phipps

Emi Richard

Madison Ramsey

Ava Barnes

Amy Krebs

Vivian Golden

Baylee Rowan

Natalie Gannett

Georgia Bass

Brooke Hagerty

Collin Sweetnam

Emma Hakim

Luke Rinehart

Anna Tyler

Ansley Sparks

Hailey Eynon

Violet Tatum

Update 9:05 a.m. The standby after the first group of 45 riders:

Parker Peacock

Eleanor Pieters

Kaitlyn Linck

Lily Epstein

Emi Richard

Madison Ramsey

Ava Barnes

Vivian Golden

Baylee Rowan

Natalie Gannett

Brooke Hagerty

Collin Sweetnam

Luke Rinehart

Morgan McCarthy

Katerina Feist

Ava Sabin

Sophia Tabasso

Ellie Bennett

Cecilia Chatterjee

Ella Tarumianz

Scarlett Samuels

Presley Wade

Audrey Geren

Ella Dalton

The post Live: The 2025 ASPCA Maclay Final appeared first on The Chronicle of the Horse.

While Steinkraus is one of the pre-eminent names in U.S. riding today, he didn’t seem to make much of an impression on the Chronicle’s reporter as a teen competing—and winning—both finals. Instead, the reporter focused on the quality of judging, concerns young riders did not practice mounting and dismounting correctly, and the joy of the addition of pony classes to the National’s program. He also expressed surprise that, unusually, the field for the Maclay final was larger than that for the Good Hands championship, which that year was called the National Equitation Class and, he said, “stole the spotlight” from the growing Maclay final.

The unidentified parent of one of the children who lost to “Billy” Steinkraus that year also penned a letter to the editor complimenting the skills and prowess of the group of East Coast riders who dominated both classes, noting that dual champion Steinkraus had won 21 out of the 26 “horsemanship” classes he’d entered in the year leading up to the National. Read both pieces below: 

Garden Provides Top Junior Contests With 41 In Children’s Hunter

Well, “The National” has come and gone, and it leaves a sort of vacuum. It’s like baseball when the World’s Series is over. Looking back it was a good show, although we very much missed our friends the Chileans.

As far as horsemanship classes go, it was a banner event, and the Saturday devoted to junior contests drew a gate which the press estimated to be two to three times that of any previous attendance for horsemanship classes. Patrons stayed on, and after six o’clock were still sitting in their seats, watching the Children’s Hunter Class of 41 entries—by all odds the best in quality that has been held for many years.

One judge who was watching checked 10 as excellent, seven as good, and said he was glad he didn’t have to pin the ribbons in this class!

The judges did a very sane and patient job of judging, allowing ample time for individual performances, and the fears of some, that freak requirements might be asked for, proved groundless. One news columnist said it was the first time in years that there was general satisfaction with the horsemanship decisions.

Thirty-three children were enrolled in the competition for the National Equitation Class, 41 in the Maclay Championship Class. This was somewhat of a surprise, as usually the Good Hands is larger. Perhaps the answer is simply that more children are learning how to jump and ride hunters, and this is beginning to show in Maclay entries.

However, although the number in the Maclay class was larger, it was the National Equitation Class, successor to the Good Hands, which stole the spotlight, and was followed with the keenest interest. The fortunate 20 who survived the morning session number some of the season’s most frequent winners:

William P. Dunn III, Dick Van Winkle, Miss Fifi Moeckel, Miss Edith Lisle, George T. McKelvey III, Miss Janet Lee Dant, William E. Bradley, Miss Janet Ann Meade, Miss Nancy Douglas, Herbert W. Marache, Jr., Miss Ann Morningstar, Miss Mary Poll, Miss Ann Leigh Graham, George Chase, Miss Lois Lisanti, William Steinkraus, Miss Mary Elizabeth Pilliod, Miss Dorothy Ritterbush, Miss Lurline Eberhardt and Miss Barbara Pilliod.

In the afternoon the judges asked for individual figure eights, changes of lead on a straight line, and finally, mounting and dismounting. Simple as it sounds, this last requirement nearly proved a Waterloo! Certainly the children did not expect it.

Anyone who watched this competition would be interested in reading an article in November’s National Horseman by Miss Annie Lawson, a judge and western Instructor, who goes into this often neglected subject of mounting very thoroughly.

One point she makes, and which was borne out by the final class on Saturday, was that greatest care should be taken not to jab the horse with the toe in mounting, which tends to make him start or veer around. In the cases where a horse has developed a persistent fault in this regard, he can be cured by mounting and dismounting against a wall, but nothing takes the place of a little carefulness.

Again we could not help feeling that some of the horses were tired, and that most could have stood a little more rest. In this connection, in a chat, with Lt. Col. [Hiram] Tuttle he told us he attributed the smoothness of his performances largely to the fact that he never permitted his horses to become overworked. He follows a plan of light walking the day after a performance, the next day schooling, and the next performance, and so on.

Getting back to the show again, surprisingly good performances were turned in by some of the younger children in the Maclay class, and competition was very real. The judges followed the customary plan of changing horses before the final decisions. Those who achieved the final class were:

Miss Mary Reinach, William P. Dunn, III, Miss Eve Prime, Miss Flora Van Sciver, Miss Jane Elizabeth Earle, Arthur Morley, Don B. Low, Miss Elaine Moore, Miss Nancy Dean, Miss Elaine Weins, Miss Ann Morningstar. Miss Ethel Skakel, Miss Susan French Potter, Miss Mary Poll, Miss Lois Lisanti, William Steinkraus, Miss Emily Young, Miss Nancy Frank, Milton Wuischpard and Miss Carol Gussenhoven.

Both in the Maclay and the equitation classes riders placed in the final ribbons from the South and West, which dispels the legend that children have to be known in the eastern circuit to win. Furthermore, their riding was well up in the upper brackets.

We wish we had time to describe the pony classes, which were an innovation thoroughly enjoyed. This reminds us of an old actor who used to say there were three things which never failed to “get” an audience: a child, a dog and a horse. They had two of the three at the Garden, in the pony group, and the audiences were all smiles watching them.

Final winners of the day were—Equitation Class, William Steinkraus, champion; Nancy Douglas, reserve; 3. Mary Poll; 4. Janet Lee Dant;, 5. Dorothy Ritterbush; 6. Dick Van Winkle. 

For the Maclay Class, William Steinkraus, champion; Mary Reinach, reserve; 3. Ann Morningstar; 4. Eve Prime; 6. Mary Poll; 6. Nancy Dean.

While congratulations are being received by the winners, we want to mention especially the fine performances of the 20 who in both classes were in the final judging, many of whom were so close behind the winners. So much is behind the picture. Back of each rider’s effort is the support of many others, friends, instructors, family and others who help. No one wins alone.

— Proctor Knott

National Equitation Riding Demands Perfect Form, But Mary Not Contrary

It is hoped that these reflections may reach a lot of parents who are interested in their children’s riding as well as their progress at horse shows.

With this interest at heart we went to New York last week where our “Mary” was participating in the Maclay Jumping Championship at Madison Square Garden, having won an ASPCA class on the summer circuit.

Over a period of time, “Mary” had done pretty well in such classes, and it wasn’t that we suffered from delusions of grandeur, but we had permitted ourselves on several occasions, before falling asleep, to picture her in the ribbons. Anyway it’s of such stuff that good dreams are made of.

Hers was the first class, which was fortunate, for by then the butterflies had almost eaten through our stomach. Forty competed and 20 were selected for final competition in the afternoon. Our “Mary” was not selected! Somebody said something about “tough luck, better luck next time.” Neither our smile nor our reply hid our dejection!

There were only two things to do: flee from the scene of battle or hang around and reconstruct something from the collapse. We chose the latter—partly by necessity for “Mary” was among friends and immediately forgot her defeat and showed no intention of going home.

There are those who may say that these reflections should be discounted on the grounds that they were written on the “rebound”. Maybe they should be. Anyway, they are intended to be constructive and will have to stand or fall on a basis of their merits.

As the morning went on, several things were obvious: the competition was keen, the judging was awfully fair and the horsemanship in the Maclay Equitation classes was brilliant.

These consistently good performances in the morning and in the elimination classes in the afternoon provoked the question, where do the children come from and how do they do it?

In the Maclay Jumping 26 out of 40 participants came from or within 50 miles of New York City and in the Equitation class 30 out of 34 came from or within 50 miles of New York City. This concentration prompts one to wish that the representation were a little more scattered but should in no way detract from the credit due these New York children.

For so many of them to have earned the right to compete in these two classes they must have gone pretty far afield to have found the necessary shows that are licensed by the AHSA or conducted under conditions of the ASPCA. In Philadelphia there were none in 1941!

In doing this, these children had to beat the local talent wherever they went. Furthermore, they must have been competing against each other a lot of the time so it must follow that they were consistent winners.

What is also significant is that a number of these children were eligible and competed in both the Maclay and Equitation Championships which combine all around horsemanship ability.

This would seem to establish the fact that children from and within 50 miles of New York City take their riding pretty seriously and have a good deal to show for it.

As to how they have developed this unusual ability one can only assume certain things but it is believed that inquiry would confirm our assumptions.

There was ample evidence of good instruction and plenty of practise. Of the latter, there is almost a complete absence with all too many children. Practise means a lot more than exercising a horse once a day. Practise to produce the kind of riding we are talking about should be, at least part of the time, in a ring under expert analysis and instruction. This should be varied with cross country rides and hunts. Instruction and practise in the ring are just as necessary in the development of a good rider as the ever-lasting stroke perfecting practice that golf and tennis champions indulge in. It is the only way of mastering the technique of any sport.

This instruction and practise results in the riders being able to gradually direct the movements of the horse, under most trying conditions, without disturbing the horse’s natural poise and spirit.

These trying conditions are to part as set forth in the specifications for the Equitation classes. All this assumes that the rider first knows how to ride properly to a walk, trot and canter.

The Dressage Exhibition by Lt. Col. Hiram Tuttle was well placed on the program, coming as it did before the Equitation Championship.

This gave the spectators an opportunity to see the art of advanced equitation at its very best.

There was ample evidence that these youngsters have had plenty of competition experience. Billy Steinkraus who won both the Maclay and Equitation championships has won this year 21 horsemanship blues out of 26 entered.

So—it seems fair to say that if other sections of the country would compete against these children with any hope of success they will have to do more learning, more practicing and more of the kind of competing we have described.

In the meantime, our hats are off to these New York youngsters and—conditions permitting, our “Mary” and her friends will be back.

Respectfully yours,

“Sadder but Wiser”

The post Throwback Thursday: Revisiting The 1941 Maclay Final Billy Steinkraus Won appeared first on The Chronicle of the Horse.

Riding Class Act, a 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Vigaro—Leonalda) owned by Ashland Farms, Sweetnam scored 89.625 in the hunter phase and 87.625 in the jumper phase. Her score of 88.25 in the work-off gave her a total of 265.50 for victory.

The championship is held over two days, with the hunter phase Friday and the timed jumper phase and top-10 horse swap on Saturday, all of which are judged as equitation classes. In the horse swap, riders complete the same jumper round they did on their own horses, but untimed.

Sweetnam, of Wellington, Florida, credited her win to the horses she rode.

“To be honest, I didn’t really know that I had done enough,” she said. “Obviously, anything was possible, but I felt that I didn’t have my best performances this week. I thought that my hunter phase was nice, but my jumper and my horse swap, I thought that there were improvements that I could have made. But I’m really, really lucky that both of the horses I got to ride were nice enough to cover for me.”

For the hunter and jumper phases, she rode Class Act, a horse she’s been partnered with for two years.

“He’s a really competitive horse,” she said of “Jagger.” “He knows he’s quite good. He’s really spoiled, and he deserves to be, and I really love him. He’s just a really funny horse.”

Schuttemeyer, riding Quinten vd Rollebeek, took the early lead by finishing on top in the hunter phase (89.75 points), with Sweetnam second and Torano, on Favorite Edition Z, third (89) in the class of 40 competitors.

In the jumper phase, Baylee Rowan and her own Watermelon took the top spot, Torano was second (87.875), and Sweetnam, after picking up a time fault, was fourth (87.625), which put the pressure on the 2025 Dover Saddlery/USEF Medal Final winner going into the final horse swap phase, where less than 2 points separated her and Torano.

For the final work-off, Sweetnam swapped onto Watermelon. 

“I’m really happy to have swapped onto the horse; it’s lovely,” she said. “I know it from Wellington, and I’ve watched it all year, so I’m lucky to have previous knowledge of it, and it’s very much my type. I made a small mistake, but her horse was perfect, and I’m very thankful for that.”

Watch Sweetnam’s winning final round on Watermelon, courtesy of ClipMyHorse.tv:

With a rail in the work-off and a score of 87, Torano finished second with 263.875.

“Our first hunter phase went quite well,” he said of his rounds with Favorite Edition Z, a horse he’s partnered with for more than two years. “In the jumper phase, there were one or two things I’d have liked to do better: I think I took the five-stride across the middle a little for granted. In the work-off, I thought it was quite good until the triple combination; it was a bit of bad luck with a rail. If that had stayed up, maybe the outcome could’ve been different, but that’s horses and show jumping.”

Schuttemeyer, who took third, also praised Quinten vd Rollebeek’s consistency and her own experience navigating the three phases. 

“The hunter phase went really well, and the jumper phase was good too,” she said. “He’s a bit of a slow-moving horse, so I had a few time faults and got a little close to the MARS oxer, but overall, I was really happy.”

Judge Keri Kampsen commended the riders for their professionalism and composure under pressure, particularly during the horse-swapping phase.

“Everyone really brought their A-game,” Kampsen said. “The hunter phase was beautiful, and the final round with the switch was so impressive. You’re all riders who are going to go far. The horses were incredible. It was a great day, and you all did an amazing job.”

For Sweetnam, the win marks another milestone in her young career and her second major equitation final victory.

“It means a lot to me, and I know it means a lot to my team, and they’re the ones that really put in all the work behind the scenes,” she related. “None of this is possible without them. I’m so lucky enough to now have won my second final. I’m happy I’m now able to show up for my horses.”

See the top 10 results here.

The post Video: Sweetnam Earns Her Second Autumn Equitation Title At WIHS appeared first on The Chronicle of the Horse.

The THIS NHS Adult Equitation Championships provide adult amateur riders a chance to compete for a prestigious year-end equitation final and take part in a true indoor finals experience. Whether they competed extensively as juniors or had a later start, the Taylor Harris Insurance Services championships give these riders a path forward after their short junior careers come to an end. The championships are divided into three age groups: 18-21, 22-35, and 36 and over.

Watch the winning rounds below, courtesy of ClipMyHorse.tv.

Lori Donfrancesco, of Westborough, Massachusetts, won the THIS NHS Adult Equitation, 36 and Over, Championship aboard her own Cincibuch, a 9-year-old warmblood gelding (Coronet Obolensky—Zschmiga).

Donfrancesco took a 35-year break from riding before returning to the saddle almost five years ago when her daughter wanted to take lessons. What began as a family activity quickly reignited Donfrancesco’s lifelong passion for riding. Over the past year and a half, she’s ridden consistently, blending hard work, humility, and joy in every lesson and competition.

“You have to know your strengths, work on your weaknesses, and just be happy and have fun,” Donfrancesco said. “Because so many things happen that take us off our path, and you have to be resilient and keep working. I’m just thankful with everything that came together today—my horse, my trainer, my family—all of that.” 

Medical device salesman Brendan Weiss traded the operating room for the winner’s circle Thursday, claiming the THIS NHS Adult Equitation, 22 to 35, Championship. 

Consistency from start to finish propelled Weiss to the top of the podium. Entering the jumping round in second place, just half a point behind the leader, he maintained his composure and delivered a steady, precise performance that secured the championship.

Weiss’ win was all the more remarkable as it happened on a borrowed horse he was riding for the first time.  He borrowed Valiant, a 9-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Vivaldi du Seigneur—France de Hus), for the week from Over The Top Stables LLC. 

Out of the saddle, Weiss’ job often means spending his days in operating rooms. 

“When I come to a horse show, I truly have to take vacation because I cannot work remotely,” he said. “I honestly really like what I do, but I very much enjoy the balance of the horses as well.”

He also said he enjoys showing at the National Horse Show.

“I think they do a very good job at this horse show of making it very special, and making each part of the competition feel like it is a year-end final, so I was very excited to come back and be here,” he said.

Sophia Blake, 19, celebrated her first year out of the junior equitation ranks by topping the NHS Adult Equitation Championship, 18 to 21, riding Jackpot Z, an 8-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Jenson Van’t Meulenho—Upstream) owned by Molly Ohrstrom. Blake is a sophomore at the University of California, Davis, studying to become a sports psychologist. She also rides on the school’s NCEA equestrian team. 

“I aged out early because I had a bad birthdate, so I was really happy to have the opportunity to have amateur finals,” Blake said. “It means so much to me to add my name to this. I started a bit late in my junior career, and I wasn’t sure I would have the opportunity to show at these big shows.”

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The post THIS Adult Equitation Championships Take Center Stage At National Horse Show appeared first on The Chronicle of the Horse.