U.S. grand prix rider Jimmy Torano guided seasoned partner Kochio Z to a CSI3* victory in the $32,000 Speed on Thursday during the third week of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF), presented by B&D Builders, at Flintfields Horse Park. Enjoying his first appearance at the six week Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, Torano and his own Kochio Z saved the best for last and returned near the end of the starting order to pocket the win.
Torano and his 10-year-old gelding Zangersheide gelding (Kannan x Diamant de Semilly) tackled courses set by Andy Christiansen (ECU) and unseated long-time leader Elena Haas (USA) by mere fractions of a second. Kochio Z broke the timers in 62.55 seconds, two tenths faster than Haas, to bump her and Ogue BT Special, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (I M Special de Muze x ARS Vivendi) to second in 62.71 seconds.
Rounding out the podium in Thursday’s speed, Mexico’s 24-year-old Karime Perez Nuñez finished third. She stopped the clock at 62.05 seconds riding her own Felicie de Coquerie, a nine-year-old Selle Français mare (Malito de Reve x Quiniou).
While Torano matched the striding of the other competitors, he gave credit to Kochio Z’s natural speed and agility for the win. “I did the same strides, but I was quite neat and this is a very fast horse. He’s won a lot of classes and his record is unbelievable,” he said. “On two turns I was very tight, so I guess that’s what made the difference because he did spend a lot of time in the air but the horse is a real winner.”
After being purchased as a seven-year-old, Kochio Z has carried Torano to top finishes throughout the country, and quickly became one of the most dynamic horses in his string.
“He stepped up even as an eight year old and won a few grand prix. He’s won a lot as a nine-year-old now he’s 10; little by little we keep moving him up,” said Torano. “Everything I’ve asked him he’s done. He’s wanted every single level I’ve asked him to do, but I try not to over face him. I would say I go up and down with him; I jump a small class to keep him really confident because he’s so so careful and then I move him up and he gives me everything every time we go in the ring.”
Torano is currently deciding between Kochio Z and his second mount Chewbacca HCC for Sunday’s grand prix.
“We love it here,” said Torano of his barn and family’s first time competing at Traverse City Horse Shows. “We are here for the whole six weeks. There’s something for everybody; great restaurants, something to do all the time and you can’t beat the weather. Every Monday you can change it up a bit.
“We have known the Morrissey’s forever and they do an unbelievable job,” continued Torano. “I was here once just for a couple of days back in 2020 and they’ve taken this showgrounds to a whole new level and it’s top notch.”
Three-star competition continues on Friday with the Elk Rapids Marina Welcome and culminates on sunday with the $120,000 CSi3* Grand Prix to cap GLEF III.
For complete results, click here.
Jacob Pope and Walland are Wonderful in USHJA 3’6”/3’9” Green Hunter Incentive
Highlighting over-fences action in the Main Hunter Ring on Thursday, Jacob Pope of Columbia, MD, scored another blue during the third week of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF), presented by B&D Builders. After Green Hunter heights of 3’6” and 3’9” were combined, Pope piloted the B R Farms-owned Walland to the top of the leaderboard with a leading score of 88 in the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Stake, A qualifying event for the Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship at Kentucky Horse Park in August.
Though the eight-year-old Oldenburg Cornet Obensky son is not a consistent ride for Pope, he is quite familiar with guiding catch rides into the winner’s circle at the Traverse City venue.
“I only showed this horse a bit here last year and at Devon this year—he is such a pleasure to ride,” said Pope about the gelding, which is under the training direction of Traci and Carleton Brooks at the California-based Balmoral. “He has a lot of scope and is very quiet. The team at Balmoral keep their horses in great shape, so it’s always nice to have the ride on such nice horses.”
Over the next several weeks, Walland will carry owner Ashley Kaplan in the amateur-owner hunter ranks at Traverse City Horse Shows before Pope sets his sights on the 2024 Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship with the gelding.
“It is definitely in the cards for him to go, which will be a lot of fun,” Pope noted. “[Flintfields Horse Park] is definitely one of the best venues to prepare at because there are always new jumps and the hunter ring has a great atmosphere that really emulates the atmosphere you would come across at a final.”
Keeping their scores consistent, Pope and Walland also pocketed an 83, 85 and 86 in the 3’9” Green Hunter division.
Kyle Richard Muckler of Ocala, FL, and MTM Idolized earned the red ribbon in the class. With a score of 86, Muckler and Lynn Parker’s seven-year-old Warmblood gelding (by I’m Special) fell just behind Pope’s leading score. Rounding out the top three was Erica Quinn of Wellington, FL, aboard Madison Stewart’s eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Lantos (by Vigo D’Arsouilles) with a score of 85.
For complete results, click here.
