Jimmy Torano Takes Over Reins for Legendary Owner Harry R. Gill
Equestrian News Release
Wellington, FL – May 12, 2006 – Jimmy Torano of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, has been tabbed to handle the riding duties for legendary show jumping owner Harry R. Gill.
A lifelong horseman, Harry R. Gill has been a major force in the world of Grand Prix Show Jumping. A longtime supporter of some of show jumping's leading riders, Gill has owned many of the country's most famed horses. He was inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame in 2002.
Gill's roster of past show jumping champions is headed by the legendary Idle Dice, a charter inductee into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame. Ridden to greatness by Hall of Famer Rodney Jenkins, "Ike," won honors as the AHSA Horse of the Year, rode for the USET in the 1974 World Championships and won the American Gold Cup three times. Gill also owned the PHA Horse of the Year, Gustavus; the AHSA Horse of the Year, Beanbag; and the AGA Horse of the Year, Viktor. Other horses ridden under Gill's ownership included such superstars as Number One Spy, Ping Pong and Robin Hood.
As owner of these horses, Gill created partnerships with some of the nation's leading riders including Jenkins, McLain Ward, Michael Matz, Katie Monahan Prudent, Debbie Stephens and Beezie Madden.
“When you look at that list you can see that Harry Gill has had only the very best riders over the years,” said Jimmy Torano, currently showing at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show in Lexington. “For him to ask me to become part of his team is humbling and a true honor.
Jimmy Torano has been on the grand prix tour for more than 15 years, having ridden in his first Grand Prix during the Winter Equestrian Festival in 1989. He has been to numerous World Cup Finals, collected many grand prix wins across the country, and this past summer won the $150,000 Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship. Jimmy and his wife Danielle operate the hugely successful JET Show Stables based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
“I’ve had a chance to watch Jimmy Torano ride for years, and he’s a wonderfully talented and gifted rider. I also appreciate and admire the way he and Danielle care for their horses. But more than anything else,” said Gill, “this partnership came together because of friendship. Jimmy and I have been friends for a long time. I look forward to this new relationship.”
“Harry’s been around a long time. He’s so knowledgeable. He’s forgotten more than most people know now,” laughed Torano. “He’s a good horseman and has had some great horses over the years, and I know he wants another top grand prix horse now, so I’m very excited about it.”
According to Torano, you can look for the new team to debut early this summer. “For sure we’ll debut at Saugerties, but there’s a chance we’ll be ready to go by Devon. We’ll just have to wait and see how it works out. I’ll leave Kentucky, head home to my farm in Pennsylvania and get to work on Harry’s horses right away.”
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