Last Updated on November 4, 2025 by adminahb
As is tradition on the first Sunday in November, the National Horse Show hosted North America’s top junior riders in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park for the 2025 ASPCA Maclay National Championship, presented by Chansonette Farm, concluding two weeks of competition.
A total of 176 horse-and-rider combinations qualified for Sunday’s feature event, each eager to showcase their skill and compete for top honors. All riders had the opportunity to navigate Paul Jewell’s first-round, 14-obstacle course, which he described as “a rider’s course.” Jewell added, “If they find the path and keep the pace, they’re going to be fine.”
Of the 176 riders, only 34 earned scores of 80 or above in the first round, and of those 34, only three scored in the 90s: Rylynn Conway with a score of 90.12, Parker Peacock with a score of 90.50, and JJ Torano, who led with a score of 93. Torano held the lead for 113 rounds, riding 63rd in the order of go.
Following the flat phase, Torano remained on top heading into the second round with a score of 91.87. After an impressive display of skill and consistency, Torano and The Northjet Group’s Belgian warmblood gelding, Favorite Edition Z (Favorite Ask x Sunny Girl), emerged as the overall top competitors, and Torano proudly earned the title of 2025 ASPCA Maclay National Champion with a final score of 93.46.
Maclay Judge Robin Swinderman Mitchell shared what stood out most about Torano’s performances: “I would say his smoothness. He was extremely smooth throughout all the rounds — very solid in his flatwork. You know, JJ is quite clever at keeping everything so even.”
Torano’s week at the 142nd National Horse Show was nothing short of remarkable. Beginning Friday, October 31, Torano dominated the Junior Hunter divisions, claiming the Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under Championship aboard Chivalrous, the Large Junior Hunter 15 and Under Championship with Tiara, as well as both the Large Junior Hunter Grand Champion and the Overall Junior Hunter Grand Champion, again with Tiara. Torano also showcased his versatility in the jumper ring, earning second place in the $30,000 1.40m Open Speed Stake with Vitus K. Saturday brought more highlights, with Torano taking first place in the $20,000 CMJ Sporthorse 1.35m Open Grand Prix on Good Mood Semilly and third place in the $100,000 CMJ Sporthorse 1.45m Grand Prix with Vitus K, cementing a week of extraordinary achievements across hunter, jumper, and now equitation competition.
“Obviously it’s been a great week. I rode a lot of different types of horses — I think almost every one of them was owned by a different person. So, first I’d like to thank the owners, my parents for all they do, and my trainers, Missy, John, and Maggie. It’s really a team behind me that can really make the success happen for me,” Torano shared after his final victory of the show.
Parker Peacock, who drew third in the order of go, finished second aboard Ashland Farm’s Westphalian gelding, Montverdi (Verdi x Nabresse M), with a final score of 89.03. She shared about her preparation, “I try to take it step by step, but nerves definitely come into the process. Breaking it down really works for me — taking each little piece of the puzzle — and getting the end result.”
Finishing just behind Peacock in third place was Madison Ramsey, riding Taylor Madden’s bay gelding, Mac One III (Luidam Elite x Original Way), with a final score of 88.40. Ramsey was also awarded The Trailblazer Award, presented by Perfect Products, for being drawn to compete first in the Maclay National Championship.
Reflecting on going first in the order, Ramsey shared, “I went first this morning, so I would say that’s definitely a little out of my comfort zone. But I have a really good team, and Jen and Frank [Madden] basically said that whether you go first or 176th, we’re going to have the same plan, and you’re going to do your best to execute it. I had the horse for the job and the team for the job, so I’m really happy with how today went.”
For more information, visit nhs.org.
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