Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA – October 18, 2023 – Jimmy Torano (USA) kicked off Open Jumper competition at the 2023 Pennsylvania National Horse Show with victory in the $10,000 1.40m Speed, respectively, on Wednesday, October 18.

For Torano, the victory at the PA Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA, came aboard Kochio Z, a 9-year-old Zangersheide gelding that Torano has been partnered with for the past two years.

“He’s a horse that’s very, very careful,” said Torano of the gelding that he has ridden to multiple grand prix victories in Kentucky, Tryon and most recently, the Devon Fall Classic. “He’s just a really, really competitive horse. Hopefully, he’ll step up to the big classes soon. He’s already jumped some big 1.50m. Everything I’ve asked of him, he’s done.”

The pair were the seventh of 20 entries to take on the course designed by Nicholas Granat, and they set the time to beat at an uncatchable 51.682 seconds.

Second place with a time of 51.829 seconds went to Laura Chapot (USA) and Chandon Blue, and Thaisa Erwin (AUS) and Vanturo rounded out the top three with a time of 53.142 seconds.

“[Nicholas Granat] is probably as good as we have in this country,” said Torano. “He’s probably one of the best up-and-coming course designers. I think we’re going to see him doing some big, big championships in the near future. He really had a good feel for what he was going to see tonight, and it was a very good introductory course to get the horses set up for the week.” 

Torano continued, “Harrisburg has been, since I was a little kid, the place that you wanted to go and show. You look forward to coming here every year. When you’re a kid, you want to come here and do the Medal Final. Now, you want to come here and try to win the grand prix.”

Final Results – $10,000 1.40m Speed

1) Jimmy Torano (USA) & Kochio Z – 0 – 51.682

2) Laura Chapot (USA) & Chandon Blue – 0 – 51.829

3) Thaisa Erwin (AUS) & Vanturo – 0 – 53.142

Source: Press Release by Emily Randolph / Randolph PR for the Pennsylvania National Horse Show

Photos: © Andrew Ryback Photography

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