Edited press release from Wellington International

Saturday’s international competition at Wellington International during the Holiday & Horses CSI4* horse show featured electrifying action in the International Arena. The spotlight event, the $32,000 Dover Saddlery CSI4* 1.50m speed, saw Jimmy Torano (USA) claim victory aboard his trusted partner, Kochio Z (Kannan GFE x Diamant de Semilly), with a blazing first-round time of 64.06 seconds, securing the top spot on the podium. 

Torano and Kochio Z are a winning partnership. Reflecting on his consistent success with Kochio Z, Torano shared: "This is a horse I've had since he was seven. He's a real winner. I mean, I can count on this horse a lot. He runs a lot of ranking classes. He's won a lot of Grand Prixs, just a very, very reliable horse. He's very careful, and he is extremely fast." 

Success at this level is a team effort, and Torano praised his groom, Pablo, for his exceptional care and dedication.  

"He's taken care of this horse since the day I got him. He knows him inside and out. He does a great job with him. He's got a very good demeanor, so horses really like him. He's my FEI groom for both of my horses that are in FEI this week, and he does a really, really good job." 

Looking ahead, Torano plans to give Kochio Z a well-deserved break in December to prepare for the 2025 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).  

"He'll probably start up maybe the second or third week in January and do the three-star Grand Prix the second or third week here during WEF, and then, we will go from there." 

Nayel Nassar (EGY) and Alberto Michan (ISR) completed Saturday’s FEI podium. Nassar claimed second place aboard Donvier (Don VHP Z N.O.P. x Andiamo) with a time of 65.19 seconds, adding to his successful week at Wellington International. Nassar won the $32,000 TRM CSI4* 1.45m class on Friday and placed second in the $65,000 BrainJuice CSI4* Grand Prix qualifier on Thursday. 

Rounding out the podium was Michan, who piloted Patience Van Den Dries (Thunder van de Zuuthoeve x Darco) to third place with a time of 66.9 seconds. The competitive class saw 36 trips in total.