By Laura Scaletti
Portraits by Melissa Fuller
JJ Torano is not only following in his family’s footsteps, he’s carving his own path at his family’s JET Show Stable. The son of hunter-jumper professionals Jimmy and Danielle Torano, JJ can’t remember a time when horses weren’t part of his life. “I played a couple of other sports over the years, like baseball and basketball, but riding is what stuck,” JJ said.
Riding isn’t just an activity that’s “stuck” for JJ, it’s a sport where he’s consistently risen to the top. In 2024, at just 14 years old, JJ had an incredible breakout year winning four major national championships. JJ’s 2024 accolades include the individual gold medal at the North American Young Rider Championship (NAYC), Champion Large Junior at USEF Junior Hunter Finals, team gold in the Prix des States at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show and winner of the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final.
JJ is continuing his winning ways this year with a huge win in the 2025 WEC Premier Equitation Cup Championship in February. “It’s been a roller coaster of emotions watching JJ compete in a sport that has been my passion and resulted in the path I chose for my life. As his mom, sharing the love for these incredible animals while watching him compete at the top level has been very fulfilling,” Danielle said.
Family Bond
Growing up at JET Show Stable, JJ quickly made his way onto a pony. “I did my first leadline class when I was 3 years old and have been showing ever since. I did the walk-trot and crossrail classes, but didn’t take riding too seriously until I started in the rated pony divisions,” JJ said.
Jimmy and Danielle have been JJ’s biggest cheerleaders from day one regardless of what he was trying to excel at. “My parents have always supported me, whether it was riding or baseball. The only reason I’m able to be successful in this sport is because of the backing my parents give me,” he said.
JJ credits his parents for inspiring his love for horses and the importance of creating a connection with each animal he rides and works with. “My parents have taught me most things I know about horses and the importance of being a horseman. I believe building a bond with our horses is what makes them want to compete and win for us in the ring. Having that connection with each horse is what helps take riders further in this sport,” JJ said.
Having a shared love for horses is what helps the Toranos succeed at JET Show Stable. “My favorite part about being in the horse business with my family is that we can all do what we love together. Training with my parents obviously has its benefits: We know each other very well and, in the end, we want the same thing, which is to succeed in this sport. There are times we don’t always agree about things, but at the end of the day we will always be family,” he said.
One lesson that Jimmy and Danielle imparted to JJ at an early age is that horses aren’t robots—they have their good days and bad days, and you must adapt to what they need each day. “It would be really easy to just stick a coin in and go, like they’re machines, but we can’t do that. Just like us humans, horses have emotions; sometimes they don’t feel their best or make mistakes,” JJ said. “As much as everyone wants to win, we can’t win every class, because sometimes the horse, rider or both makes a mistake.”
It’s the connection with horses that keeps JJ coming back for more in the sport. “Even though horses can’t really speak to us, horses and riders can form a bond where they know each other inside out. Some of the horses we’ve had have been the best of friends to me,” he said.
Pony Days
While moving through the pony ranks, JJ had the opportunity to work with many different trainers while catch riding ponies. “I think riding a variety of ponies was a great way to gain experience and learn correct riding before moving on to horses,” JJ said.
At 9 years old, JJ made his Pennsylvania National Horse Show debut a winning one with his small pony H.G. Mud Puddles. JJ’s consistency throughout the division helped earn the Small Pony and the Grand Pony championships, and he was awarded the Pony Rider Sportsmanship Award at his first indoors.
Three years and many trips in the show ring later, JJ captured another Pennsylvania National tricolor when he was champion in the Medium Ponies aboard Paris Charm in 2022. “The years I had with those two ponies brought me more success than we could have hoped for in my pony years,” JJ said. “It truly was a privilege to compete with these special ponies.”
The success JJ had with Paris Charm was thanks in part to Danielle’s patience and persistence working with the mare. “We took a chance on her when Emil Spadone and my parents leased her for me. I didn’t sit on her before she got to our farm. The day she arrived, both my mom and I fell off trying to get on her,” he said. “Since that day, my mom spent countless hours working with her to gain her trust. She still has her quirks, but she fully trusts us and it shows in her performance in the ring.”
Working with Paris Charm further reinforced the notion that horses and ponies aren’t machines that automatically go around the show ring. “It’s a night-and-day difference from the first day we got her to now; when she first arrived, we could barely even get near her. She, along with the many mares I had in the beginning, taught me how to be soft and work with them throughout my rides,” JJ said.
It didn’t take long before JJ took his skills and applied them to ponies and horses. “In 2023, I did the Pony Hunters, Junior Hunters, Children’s Jumpers and the equitation. In the beginning, it was hard switching from pony to horse, because the horses are so different than most ponies,” JJ said. “I eventually found the horses much easier to ride than the ponies.”
“It’s been amazing to watch JJ develop since he was a little kid on ponies. Being his father and his trainer is for sure a unique situation,” Jimmy said. “I’ve trained him from the ponies all the way up to the jumpers. I think we have a good understanding of what we both want. He’s a perfectionist, and that’s probably the hardest thing to work through.”
Triple Threat
These days, on any given horse show weekend, you can find JJ in the Junior Jumper, Junior Hunter or equitation ring. JJ enjoys the challenge of changing up his ride as he goes from ring to ring. “I think each ring gives you something to bring forward later in life, especially as a rider looking forward to jumping in big classes. In my opinion, the equitation is a stepping stone for the big jumpers, requiring a quality position on the horse while effectively creating the best jump out of the horse. I think the key is to be effective while staying in good balance and position,” he said. “In my case, since I’m doing the equitation and jumpers at the same time, I can put the practices of the equitation ring into the jumper ring.”
JJ is thankful to have an all-star training team helping him navigate the intricacies needed in each ring. “My parents help me in the hunter and jumper rings. I primarily train in the equitation with Missy Clark, John Brennan and the North Run crew, whom my parents have known for many, many years. The team that surrounds me at the moment is the main reason for my success this past year,” he said.
Three special horses—Kybalia SMH/SVN, Vitus K and Favorite Edition Z—were also key to JJ’s 2024 success. Kybalia and Vitus took JJ to new heights in the jumper ring, while Favorite Edition Z has been JJ’s trusty equitation partner.
JJ got his introduction to the jumper ring with Kybalia. “My parents’ longtime business partner and close friend Willem Greve knew she would be perfect for what we were looking for and sent her across the pond without notice. Kybalia brought me from the Low Children’s Jumpers all the way up to the Medium Juniors,” JJ said. The duo won individual gold in the Pre-Junior individual final at the 2024 NAYC.
Leading up to NAYC, JJ had several choices of horses he could compete; however, he never veered from his desire to ride Kybalia there. “I knew this would be my last show with her, so I wanted to make it a special finale,” he said.
“One of my favorite memories from last year was winning NAYC. Through five rounds of jumping over three days, she didn’t knock one pole and we were crowned gold,” JJ said. “We’re now going on four years of owning Kybalia and she’s leased out to a client in the barn. Hopefully Kybalia will bring her new rider through the ranks and teach her the same way she did for me.”
At the end of WEF 2024, JJ began riding Vitus K. “Kent Farrington presented us with the opportunity to purchase him. I rode him at Kent’s farm in Wellington once and we ended up buying him. He’s brought me many wins including my first Grand Prix victory this past summer in Traverse City, team gold with Zone 4 in the Prix des States and the $25,000 Jr/Am Grand Prix at The National Horse Show,” JJ said. “I’m hopeful for more wins to come with him!”
One Perfect Day
On October 13, 2024, JJ became the youngest rider ever to win the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Finals, topping a field of 169 at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. His second time at USEF Medal Finals, JJ took what he learned in 2023 and spent the year in between putting in the work to produce several spectacular rounds to win the day. “A class like that is what equitation kids and barns look forward to all year. There’s so much work that goes on before the class, and even during the day, that most people don’t see. Preparing for Medal Finals takes countless hours of riding, training and learning that we hopefully carry on with us for our futures,” JJ said.
While it was JJ’s second Medal Finals, it was his Finals debut with Favorite Edition Z. The duo began their partnership midway through the 2023 Winter Equestrian Festival.
The day of Medal Finals was a long one for all involved. After waking up early to prepare Favorite Edition Z and walk the course, JJ was the 66th rider to compete in the first round. After waiting for another 100 riders to compete, it was time for JJ to walk the course for the second round. “I was leading coming into the second round, which meant I was last to go in that round. I put in a solid round, which put me into second place going into the test. While waiting our turns to go, we were put into the schooling area, not able to watch, so we rode the test off memory,” he said.
The top six riders came back to compete a long test, with a hand gallop, two fences at the counter-canter and a halt after the final obstacle. To make it even more challenging, they had to do it without stirrups.
“When we were invited back into the ring for presentations, we still didn’t know how anyone else did. They call out the results in reverse order; it wasn’t until they called the reserve champion that I knew I had won. My dad gave me a high five and hugged me, and then Missy came over and hugged me,” JJ said. “Knowing that I had won was definitely a special feeling.”
“I have to say, JJ’s 2024 season was pretty amazing. There were a lot of proud moments as a trainer, but more so as a father. We set some goals for him as the year went along and he definitely accomplished most of them,” Jimmy said. “Now he just needs to enjoy what he’s doing and see what the future brings.”
JJ recently had a second perfect day when he won the 2025 WEC Premier Equitation Cup on February 8, 2025, and left the ring with keys to a brand-new Ford Explorer XLT SUV. Just like the USEF Medal Finals, JJ came into the second round leading the class.
“I wanted to stay on top, which I did going into the final work-off where we swapped horses. I had the privilege to ride Olivia Sweetnam’s mount, Class Act, whom I previously rode in the final work-off at the 2024 USET/Talent Search Final. This time around I knew him a bit better than I did the first time,” JJ said. “This class had high stakes and pressure, but I’ve been in many high-pressure situations lately and every time I’m more comfortable being in that position.”
Unlike most equitation classes and equitation finals, the second round of the WEC Premier Equitation Cup takes place under the lights in WEC’s Grand Arena. “The floodlights above bring a whole new aspect and we need to have trust in our partners, which are living animals, to handle it,” JJ said. “My favorite part of the night was landing after the last jump in the second round and just feeling the sense of relief, knowing the round I had just laid down.”
JJ now finds himself in an unusual situation after winning his car, as he’s a year and a half from having his driver’s license. “Usually you get your license, but you don’t have a car. I have a car, but don’t have a license,” he said. “It was great that Gary Yeomans Ford was able to donate such a gift for a class like this one.”
Aiming Higher
While working to reach the top of the sport, JJ is also excelling in the classroom. Unlike many other top Junior riders, JJ attends in-person classes at The Kings Academy, where he is a freshman. “I feel very strongly that I want him to stay in school to try to keep him grounded and as normal as possible. He’s doing a great job juggling his riding responsibilities and keeping his grades up,” Danielle said.
Beyond his academic endeavors, JJ has also been working with sports psychologist Mario Soto to improve his mental game. “I’m one who has been known to be hard on myself. I know that mistakes happen, but when I made mistakes, I would shut down. Mario has helped me change my mindset and relax my nerves,” JJ said. “Like any sport, riders can be in slumps, but that’s when we can’t give up.”
By establishing mental resiliency, JJ believes he will be ready to tackle the highs and lows that come with the sport. “A couple of years ago, I won a National Derby and then I fell off the next two horses I rode. The highs and lows can come quickly when working with horses. It’s very humbling and should teach us not to boost our egos,” JJ said.
As JJ continues to train and compete, he remains grounded by the support of his family and the lessons they’ve imparted. His achievements at such a young age are a testament to his hard work and dedication, and the strong familial bonds that have guided him along the way.
JJ plans to make the most of his remaining Junior years by continuing to compete in all three rings. He’s hoping to once again do big things at the national finals with his partners Favorite Edition Z and Vitus K. “I also want to keep developing my 7-year-old, Coachella Z, and stay consistent in the High Junior and National Grand Prix level,” he said.
Contemplating a future beyond his four remaining Junior years, JJ plans on following in his parents’ footsteps and turning pro. By immersing himself in the U25 and FEI-level jumper classes next year, JJ aims to gain invaluable experience and exposure, which are crucial steps toward achieving his long-term goals of competing at the five-star level.
In short, JJ is well positioned to continue the legacy of excellence set by his parents at JET Show Stable. “I’m constantly amazed by JJ’s dedication and deep study of the sport,” Danielle said. “I feel truly fortunate and blessed to walk alongside him as he continues to grow and excel.”
For more information, visit Jetshowstable.com
Photos by Melissa Fuller, melissafullerphotography33.mypixieset.com
