Rapid-Fire: 20 Questions with JJ Torano

JJ Torano had what can only be described as a fairytale year last year. At just 14 years old, he:

- Won his first National Grand Prix aboard the spicy Vitus K in July.

- Won Champion Large Pony at the 2024 Adequan®/USEF Junior Hunter National Championship with Laskano.

- Took the Gold in the pre-junior Individual Final at NAYC in August with Kybalia SMH/SVN.

- Became the youngest rider to ever win the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final at Penn National with fan favorite, Favorite Edition Z.

And at the time of writing, he’s showing no signs of slowing down! Last month, he claimed the WEC Premier Equitation Cup Championship with Favorite Edition Z, and just weeks ago won the $50,000 Hermes 1.50m National Grand Prix with Vitus K!

Just let that sink in…

Now, I promised JJ that this article wouldn’t just be about how great a rider he is (but, of course… it is) and would focus on him as a person. So with that, here are 20 questions with JJ Torano.

JJ and Missy Clark (North Run) PC: Meg Gehron

"You can really be on top of world in one ring and you can be back on the bottom in the next one. I think that you just have to start over on every horse."

1. What goes through your head when you hear people talk about how amazing your career is going right now?

Thank you! Obviously, it’s a great feeling! But, I think it all goes back to how I have a great team behind me, my parents, my team at North Run, and Ilan Ferder, who I am riding a few horses for now. I have a super string of horses at the moment, which I’m excited about. So, I just think it all goes back to the support I get behind the scenes. For sure, it’s a little boost of confidence every time I win a class like that, but I think you start over with every class. You can really be on top of world in one ring and you can be back on the bottom in the next one. I think that you just have to start over on every horse.

2. What’s next on the horizon for you?

In the short term, we are doing the Kevin Babington Lip Sync Fundraiser so that should be fun! (Click here to learn more about the fundraiser).

In the long term, I want to stay consistent in the High Juniors and National Grand Prix as I’m not old enough to do the Under 25 or FEI yet. And I’m really looking forward to Young Riders at the end of the summer. I have a couple of horses to choose from, so just working to keep my string up and be really consistent in the ring.

3. What’s Favorite Edition Z like?

In the barn, he’s super chill. Everyone loves him. He rules his aisle! He has the big stall, first one on the left. The connection he has with his groom is so great. He’s always posting photos of “Eddie” on his Instagram. He really loves him and takes good care of him and I think that definitely contributes to the success of that horse.

4. What’s Vitus K like?

Actually, in the barn, he’s actually really calm and relaxed. Anytime I go in his stall, he’ll come over and put his head in my arms. I know people probably wouldn’t think that because what he’s like in the ring. He really comes alive in the ring. I know he likes to buck a lot but he’s serious about his job. All he wants to do is win.

5. What’s your Starbucks order?

I like a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino and a croissant.

6. Favorite ice cream?

This is boring, but I think vanilla.

7. What’s your spirit animal?

That’s a hard one. I think Vitus K is my spirit animal.

8. Do you believe in aliens?

No.

9. Favorite horse?

That’s hard! It’s between Vitus, Kybalia (the horse I won Young Riders on last year), and Eddie (Favorite Edition Z).

10. Famous horse that you’d love to take a spin on?

King Edward

11. Describe yourself in three words.

Funny, Competitive, Kind

12. Hobbies outside of horses?

I used to play a little bit of baseball and basketball, but I really wanted to ride and it took so much time out of the other stuff that there wasn’t any purpose. The riding really stuck so I committed it all to that.

13. What’s the first thing you do in the morning?

Go on my phone…

14. What’s the last thing you do at night?

Go on my phone!

15. What’s your most used emoji?

The laugh emoji. 😂