JJ Torano and Vitus K Dominate the Second Week of Tryon Spring Series presented by Fields Auto Group
Tryon Spring 2 Division Highlights
For Immediate Release
Rette Solomon for Tryon International
Mill Spring, NC – May 11, 2025 – Capping off the second week of competition in the Tryon Spring Series presented by Fields Auto Group, BMW Asheville, Mercedes Asheville and DEFENDER, JJ Torano (Wellington, FL) and JET Show Stable’s Vitus K (Verdi TN x Evita) depart from Tryon International with a $30,000 Earl Scruggs Music Festival Grand Prix win under their belts. The fourteen-year-old Torano challenged the Oscar Soberon (Dallas, TX) course on three horses, with two making the cut to the jump off. Emily Dehoff (Wellington, FL) took The Sporty Game, LLC’s Manou De Muze (Arko x Juno De Muze) to the second place spot on the podium. Dehoff and the 2012 Belgian Warmblood mare stopped jump off timers at 37.72 seconds. Rounding out the top three, JJ Torano then rode Chewbacca HCC (Clarimo x Wanda VII) to a double clear effort, taking third on 45.63 seconds with the 2012 Holsteiner gelding owned by Isalou Inc. & JET Show Stable.
“He's a horse that I got just over a year ago,” Grand Prix victor JJ Torano said of Vitus K, the 2010 Hanoverian gelding. “Kent Farrington came to my dad and me with the opportunity, and we really couldn't find a better horse than him. He's a little bit on the older side, but he loves his job. He comes out, gives 110 percent, and wants to win every single time.”
JJ Torano and Vitus K
©Natalie Suto Photography
The winners set the pace early as the first to see the jump off track, and couldn’t be caught as Torano and Vitus K clocked in a 35.66 second short round.“We know each other very well, and we have a strong bond and connection. I went in [the jump off] first, so I had really nothing to lose,” Torano said, recounting his bold jump off performance with Vitus K. “I put it all out there, and I knew we could count on each other. Obviously, in the end, it worked out, and I can't thank my horse enough.”
Emily Dehoff and Manou De Muze
©Leyla Caynak for Natalie Suto Photography
Making his second appearance in the jump off with Chewbacca HCC, Torano laid down another double clear performance to make it to the podium. “I went for a smooth, slow, clear round and I ended up third, so I couldn't be happier. [Chewbacca HCC is] my dad's mount, and a little bit of a newer mount for me. I'm really happy with all three of my horses tonight!”
JJ Torano and Chewbacca HCC
©Leyla Caynak for Natalie Suto Photography
As the youngest rider in the Grand Prix, Torano detailed how he handles the pressures of competition at this level. “I just try to ride everything like it's a new day, a new round, and I don't try to think on the past or what I've won before. Just going in, counting on my team and my horses, and not overthinking is really what helps me.”
Jose Francisco was awarded the Groom’s Award presented by Tryon International for his care and dedication to Vitus K.
©Leyla Caynak for Natalie Suto Photography
“We make this stop on our way up north for the summer,” Torano noted in his post-win interview. “We go to Devon next, but this is an annual stop on our tour. We'll be back next year, and hopefully many years after that.
“We love this place! We’re a very laid back crew,” he shared, noting that the JET Show Stable team stays on site and enjoys Tryon’s lineup of restaurants. “Really, this is one of our favorite stops on our entire U.S. tour,” he concluded.
JJ Torano and Emily Dehoff in their presentation ceremony alongside (L-R) Glenn Petty, Tryon International General Manager of Equestrian Operations, Doug Grondahl, Tryon International COO, and Lance Bennett, Tryon International Stabling Manager and Tryon Spring 2 Competition Manager.
©Leyla Caynak for Natalie Suto Photography
Torano and Vitus K started out their winning week at Tryon International by capturing the $20,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake, besting a field of 35 competitors. The team tackled the jump off in 35.19 seconds to go double clear. Following Torano, Doug Payne (Rougemont, NC) captured reserve honors aboard Issy Kelly’s 2013 warmblood gelding, Chaccolate RFB (Chacco Blue x Wolrusa), posting a 36.41 second performance. Riding for AS Trading BV, Samuel Hutton (Herentals, NY) piloted the 2015 Oldenburg gelding Casalltano PS (Casallco x Chacco’s Gladys) to third place with a 37.08 second jump off.
JJ Torano and Vitus K
©Bailey Beck for Natalie Suto Photography
For full results from the $30,000 Earl Scruggs Music Festival Grand Prix, click here.
For full results from the $20,000 LeMieux Welcome Stake, click here.
Tryon Spring 2 Division Highlights
Paired with Heather Garson’s Canyon River, Jamie Rardin (Mount Pleasant, SC) rode to the Young Hunter 3’ (6&U) Division win. Reserve division honors were claimed by Emerveiller De Muze Z, owned by Mille Fleurs, and ridden by both Caroline McLeese (Topeka, KS) and Hunter Holloway (Ocala, FL).
Rosie MacLeod (Aiken, SC) claimed the division champion in Opportunity Cross-Rails 12&U with Kamelia, owned by Blue Star Camps Equestrian. Ira Baker’s Woodlands Velvet Peach, ridden by Sola Buncamper, was named reserve division champion.
The .90M Non-Pro Jumper Division champion was awarded to Cambrie Dalton (Charlotte, NC), aboard her own L-Tangela, with Jordan Spinelli (Sophia, NC) taking reserve division champion, paired with her own Catarina H.
Aleksandra Keele (Atlanta, GA) collected the Low Children’s Hunter 2’6 Division champion with SLF Furst Prince, owned by Madison Lake, followed by owner and rider of Paper Rings, Lynnen Pratt (Santa Rosa Beach, FL) claiming reserve division champion.
The Tryon Spring Series presented by Fields Auto Group, BMW Asheville, Mercedes Asheville and DEFENDER continues with Tryon Spring 3, held May 14-18. Join us on May 17th for Saturday Night Lights presented by Skyla Credit Union, featuring Touch-A-Truck night and the $35,000 Bobcat Grand Prix in Tryon Stadium at 8pm. Explore all Tryon International has to offer by visiting www.Tryon.com/allevents!
Photos ©Natalie Suto Photography (Leyla Caynak and Bailey Beck, as noted) unless otherwise noted. These photos may only be used once, in relation to this press release. Competitors may view and purchase competition photos at www.nataliesutophotography.shootproof.com. With questions regarding photography at TIEC, contact media@tryon.com.