Jimmy Torano Rides Newcomer Ralvesther to $40,000 Zada Enterprises Victory at Littlewood Spring Finale

Wellington, FL – April 25, 2006 –

It took just over a month for Ft. Lauderdale, Florida’s Jimmy Torano to find the winner’s circle with his brand new show jumping partner, Ralvesther, as the duo galloped to the win in the $40,000 Zada Enterprises Grand Prix on Sunday at the Littlewood Spring Finale. Torano imported the eight year old mare for SCNC Investments during the Winter Equestrian Festival, and they made their show ring debut in Tampa in March.

“She was in quarantine, so I missed Palm Beach with her and just did a few classes with her at Tampa,” explained Torano following his win. “I’m just getting to know her really. I thought this event at Littlewood would be a great place to move her up.”

Canadian Dave Ballard designed the test for the Sunday event, scored under USEF Table II, Sec 2 (a), Time First Jump-Off. Thirty starters went to the post, and of those thirty, seven produced first round clears. One rider, Jimmy’s wife Danielle, was clear but exceeded the time allowed, while another seven competitors had a single knockdown.

In the jump-off, Torano edged Canadian Frankie Chesler-Ortiz for the hard fought win. The margin of victory was an ever so slim .06 seconds. Torano clocked in at 34.984, and Chesler-Ortiz was just off the pace in 35.044 seconds.

Ralvesther and Jimmy Torano in the winner’s circle for the $40,000 Zada Enterprises Grand Prix Photo: ©Anne Gittins Photography	Jimmy and Ralvesther in "flight" Photo: Alison Hartwell

Torano revealed that he knew what he planned to do in the jump-off should he go clear, and got a head start on the competition. “You had the same first line in the jump-off, and then there was an inside turn on fence 4, followed by a tight rollback on a vertical. After that vertical there was an inside turn, or you could take the long way around,” he said. “I saw that inside cut in the first round, thought about it ahead of time, and practiced it anyway. In the jump-off, I really felt that’s what made the difference for me. On the inside turn, the second time, I was really, really tight, and I could take my time on the long run to the last double.”

He spoke about his new mount following the win. “She’s a very careful mare. She’s very honest. I bought her with the hopes that she’ll be a really good grand prix horse. I think she’s one of my real up and coming stars,” he said. “We’ll start her slow and work her way up. We’ll do the Thursday classes at Saugerties and maybe the Saturday Grand Prix at Devon. I don’t think we’ll do the Sunday Grand Prix until we get to Vermont this summer.”

Jimmy’s wife, Danielle, also on a brand new equine partner, Vancouver D'auvrey, owned by Sir Ruly, Inc., finished eighth on Sunday, picking up a time fault in round one. Torano spoke of Danielle’s new mount, “She’s got what I think is a really special horse. He can jump anything,” he said with a smile. “He’s an eight year-old approved stallion. He was the class of the show on Sunday, but unfortunately she got a time fault. Danielle did him in the Amateur Owner Jumpers at Tampa, and he was clean in every class. Then, the next week, he was good at Charlotte too.” Torano said that he and his wife will follow the same paths with their two new mounts. “He’ll be on the same type of schedule as Ralvesther,” he said. “In my opinion, he’s going to be a horse that will do everything. He’s got all the scope in the world. I think he’s a big-time horse.”

$40,000 Zada Enterprises Grand Prix Level 9 – Entries 31 –Littlewood Farms Spring Finale- 3/23/06
1 - Ralvesther -SCNC Investments -Jimmy Torano – 0-0/34.984
2 - Picolien Zeldenrust -Sher Al Farm -Frankie Chesler-Ortiz – 0-0/35.044
3 - Darvin Garbo -Henrik Gundersen -Henrik Gundersen – 0-0-35.055
4 - Caliskan -Louisburg Farm -Candice King – 0-0/35.866
5 - Claus -Stealaway Farm Ltd -Angela Moore – 0-0/36.384
6 - Golden Light- Alfonso Andrade- Alfonso Andrade - 0-0/38.461
7 - Land Baron 4 -Stealaway Farm Ltd -Angela Moore -0-8/33.702
8 - Vancouver D'auvrey -Sir Ruly Inc -Danielle Torano – 3-87.071
9 - Freestyle -Elliott Stone -Elliott Stone – 4-74.696
10 - Polyfax -King Ridge Stables -Roberto Teran Jr – 4-78.889
10 - Coco Cabana -Louisburg Farm- Candice King - 4-79.157
10 - Vegas -C. Tribble/Windsor Stables -Christine McCrea – 4-80.154