Gladstone N.J. -- At the 2024 Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search Finals – East, the second day unfolded with the gymnastics phase at the USET Foundation Headquarters. Phase II tested the skills of the 46 athletes as they navigated a series of challenging gymnastic lines, each carrying a score multiplier of 1.5.
The competition kicked off with athletes and their horses entering the arena to impress judges Nicole Shahinian-Simpson and Ellen Raidt. Emerging at the forefront was JJ Torano (Wellington, Fl) and Favorite Edition Z (Favorit Ask x Sunny Girl), making a significant move in the rankings from third to first after their exceptional round. Torano’s performance earned him a score of 97, bringing his total to an impressive 236.5.
Meanwhile, Taylor Cawley (Wellington, Fl.) achieved a score of 94 aboard Oki D’Eclipse (Catoki x Elena D’Eclipse), placing her in second with a cumulative score of 236. Olivia Sweetnam (Wellington, Fl.) riding Class Act (Vigaro x Leonalda), secured third place with a score of 86.5, totaling 223.8.
The event culminates on Sunday with Phase III, the jumping phase. This segment features a jumper-style course with a score multiplier of 2. The combined weighted scores of the first three phases will determine the top four riders who will advance to Phase IV, the ride-off. In this final challenge, competitors will swap horses and tackle the same course on each of the four mounts to determine the ultimate rankings.
Phase II Results
Coverage will continue on USEF Network from Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search Finals -- East, streaming Phase III on Sunday, October 4, beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET.
To learn more about the Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search Final, click here.
Follow US Equestrian
Stay up to date on the U.S. Jumping by following USA Jumping on Facebook and Instagram and US Equestrian on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Use #USAJumping.
The USEF International High Performance Programs and the USEF High Performance Pathway Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, the philanthropic partner to USEF. High Performance Program support is also provided by the USOPC and USEF sponsors and members.