TurnoutHQ+ Newsroom · Published March 18, 2026 · Updated September 8, 2026
Key Takeaway
15-year-old JJ Torano won the U25 Grand Prix Final just weeks after recovering from a broken collarbone, while Campbell Brown secured the season-long series championship.
What Happened
On Sunday, March 15, 15-year-old JJ Torano claimed victory in the $50,000 U25 Grand Prix Series Final at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Riding Lyon 50, a horse owned by Kadley Farms and North Run, Torano navigated an 11-horse jump-off to finish clean in a time of 33.24 seconds.
His performance was nearly two seconds faster than runner-up Ariana Marnell, 20, who finished in 35.17 seconds on Jikke-Cara. Alexandra Ryden took third place aboard Irandole du Flot with a time of 35.38.
While Torano took the Final win, 18-year-old Campbell Brown secured the overall U25 Grand Prix Series seasonal title. Brown led the standings throughout the 10-week series, consistently performing across various formats, including grass derby fields and team events. Despite a time fault in the Final that kept her out of the jump-off, her season-long dominance earned her the championship, followed by Eva Fisherman in second and Canada’s Cassidy Rein in third.
Why It Matters
The U25 (Under 25) division serves as a critical bridge between the junior ranks and the upper echelon of international Grand Prix competition. For riders like Torano, Marnell, and Ryden, the series offers a high-pressure environment that mimics the technical demands of senior-level show jumping, including jumping under the lights and navigating open water.
Torano’s win is particularly notable due to his recent recovery. Just weeks prior, he suffered a broken collarbone during a mid-season fall. His quick return to the winner's circle, just three and a half weeks after the injury, highlights the resilience required at the sport's high-performance levels. "There’s a bit of fearlessness in everybody in order to do this sport," Torano noted following his win, emphasizing the mental toughness necessary to return to competition after a significant accident.
For the other podium finishers, the series represents a way to maintain competitive sharpness while balancing academic commitments. Both Marnell and Ryden competed this season while enrolled in university programs, demonstrating how the U25 structure allows developing athletes to stay integrated within the professional circuit.
Discipline Context
This event is centered on the Hunter/Jumper discipline, specifically the developing talent pipeline for Show Jumping. The U25 division is designed to prepare young athletes for the FEI (Fédération Équestre Internationale) levels. By introducing elements like varying venues, different footing (grass vs. sand), and team formats, the series prepares riders for the complexities of representing their nations in senior Nations Cup or Olympic-level competition.
Quick Facts
- Winner: JJ Torano (Age 15) on Lyon 50.
- Overall Series Champion: Campbell Brown (Age 18).
- Location: Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), Wellington, Florida.
- Date: March 15, 2026.
- Prize Money: $50,000 for the Final.
- Jump-off Stats: 11 combinations qualified; Torano won by a 1.93-second margin.
- Training Programs: Torano trains with North Run (John Brennan and Missy Clark); Marnell trains with Kent Farrington; Ryden trains with Sweet Oak Farm (Michael Hughes).
Competitors heading into the season can find show tack and riding equipment ahead of entries.