Wellington, Fla. – March 19, 2026—All eyes were on equitation action on Thursday night when junior riders took center stage in the International Arena for the 19th annual WEF Equitation Championship, presented by Prestige Italia, during WeatherTech-sponsored Week 11 at the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Coming off a win in the BrainJuice U25 Grand Prix Series Final a week earlier, JJ Torano of Wellington, FL, led all three rounds to take the win aboard Oak Grove’s Carlyle.
JJ Torano & Oak Grove’s Carlyle presented as winners of the 2026 WEF Equitation Championship, presented by Prestige Italia. ©Sportfot
With a track designed by Andy Christiansen (USA), 43 riders took to the opening round before the top 12 were called back in reverse order for a second round. Four riders returned for a work-off to determine a final winner—Elizabeth Rinehart of Carmel, IN; Rylynn Conway of Fair Hill, NJ; Faith Schuttemeyer of Boynton Beach, FL; and Torano. The 16-year-old based in Wellington, FL, boasted scores of 191 and 188 coming into the final test riding the 18-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Alston Alliance.
“It’s definitely a great feeling to win this class. My horse has really been unbelievable this circuit that I’ve had with him,” said Torano of the gelding he plans to ride to finals later this year. “You can’t ask more of him; he’s a machine. You tell him to do something, and he does it.”
JJ Torano & Oak Grove’s Carlyle. ©Sportfot
In the end, Torano was crowned winner with a final score of 379 from the two judging panels made up of Panel 1: Alex Jayne and Karen Healey and Panel 2: Robin Rost and Ralph Caristo. Not far behind Torano was Reinhart riding Charlie Brown owned by Charlotte Rossetter with a final score of 365.
Elizabeth Rinehart & Charlie Brown. ©Sportfot
The testing of the top four consisted of a hand-gallop to the first fence, an adding of stride in the second line, and a counter-canter to the final fence. Landing the counter lead off the second-to-last fence and holding it through an inside turn to the final oxer proved to be the toughest challenge. Torano nearly executed it to perfection; however had a change of lead one stride out from takeoff. Even so, his top standings from the first two rounds saved him the win.
“I was just thinking, ‘don’t mess it up.’ I wanted to play it safe but not totally chicken out. I think I did a smart test, I knew I was ahead so I didn’t need to take too many big risks,” explained Torano, who returned last for the final test. “When I had the swap, I was disappointed in myself but hoped the rest of my test was good enough to keep me at the top.”
Hear From JJ
Outside of the arena, riders were scored on more than just their showtime performance. Ranging from zero to two points could be added or subtracted from their final scores based on their ability to manage their time and instruction in the warm-up. Before the class began, riders were to give up their cell phones and had no contact with their trainers. Monitored by official stewards, competitors were allowed one groom and were solely responsible for competition preparation.
Torano spoke about the total of four schooling points he was awarded and how his training with John Brennan and Missy Clark of North Run has helped him prepare. “At home, we do a lot of repetition and practice of what we should expect to see in this class. I’m also always there to help my dad in the schooling area, so I feel I have a good knowledge of how it works.”
In another lifetime, Oak Grove’s Carlyle was a top-of-the-line show jumper. Winning the CSIO5* Grand Prix of Rotterdam in 2022 with Irish show jumper Daniel Coyle and getting his name on the map with the Netherlands’ Jeroen Dubbeldam. In his later teen years, Carlyle has proved his career knows no bounds, stepping into the equitation ring in 2024 with Eleanor Rudnicki. “He’s really an amazing animal,” stated Torano. “He has an incredible brain and has jumped some of the biggest tracks in the world, so to be able to do this at his age [18] is incredible.”
To end the evening, Reinhart’s Charlie Brown was awarded the “Class Action” Best Equitation Horse honors. Additionally, Castlefield Spartacus, owned by West Hill and piloted by Conway, earned the Best Turned Out Horse Award after winning third place.
Rylynn Conway & Castlefield Spartacus. ©Sportfot
Faith Schuttemeyer & Seven Miles. ©Sportfot
For full results of the WEF Equitation Championships, click HERE.
Faith Schuttemeyer & Atlas presented as winners of the USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby, presented by Ethel M Chocolates. ©Sportfot
Across the pond at Wellington International’s Equestrian Village, hunter derby action took to the grass derby field with Faith Schuttemeyer, of Boynton Beach, FL, claiming the win in the $10,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby sponsored by Ethel M Chocolates, riding Atlas for owner Sloan Sherman. Reserve champion was awarded to Johnathan Cohen, of Wellington, FL, and his own Hearsay.
Colin Syquia & Jasper de la Tour presented as winners of the USHJA Open National Hunter Derby, presented by Ethel M Chocolates. ©Sportfot
Champion and Reserve Champion in the $10,000 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby went to Colin Syquia riding Jasper de la Tour owned by Constance Hunter, and Toscane’s Cornet TF owned by Lisa O’Conner.
For full results of the $10,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby, click HERE.
For full results of the $10,000 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby, click HERE.
