Jimmy Torano And Rising Sun Win Reg. First Yr. Green Working Hunter Ch, Section A

Sandy Ferrell And Indian Summer Win Reg. First Yr. Green Working Hunter Ch, Section B

Jimmy Torano, 38, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, rode Rising Sun for owner Kendall Bate to the First Year Green Working Hunter Championship, Section A. Sandy Ferrell riding Indian Summer for Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Caristo won the First Year Green Working Hunter Championship, Section B.

Geoff Teall, 43, of Wellington, Florida, trains Rising Sun and also coaches the horse's owner, Kendall, who is a junior rider.

"That's one of the nicest horses I've ever had," said Teall. "That's the sweetest, trying-est, kindest horse. Every day he tries to do whatever you want. That's so rare."

Rising Sun is a seven-year-old, chestnut, Dutch gelding by Kojak that Teall imported two years ago from Jan Broek in Holland. Last year Rising Sun showed at WEF as a Pre-Green horse and won that division. Jimmy Torano took over the ride and started out the first week of this year's WEF as First Year Green Champion. Rising Sun is stabled and in training at Teall's Montoga Inc. barn. "I ride him and prepare him and teach my junior rider Kendall Bate," explained Teall, and added with a laugh, "Then Jimmy swoops in and gets all the blue ribbons!"

In two days' of competition, Rising Sun competed in four over fences classes and placed first, second, third and fourth. Teall decided not to contest the hack, figuring they had enough points to secure the championship. "We gambled and won for a change," he grinned. Teall calls Rising Sun "a real unusual combination. He's a beautiful horse. He has a beautiful gallop and he's an outstanding jumper. That's what you see when you watch him, but his best feature is that he has a great brain. I can't say enough good things about him." Rising Sun will compete in First Year classes and also campaign in the small junior hunters with his owner. "It's Kendall's last junior year," explained Teall. "Then he'll be sold at the end of the year."

Morgan Thomas riding MVP for owner Kimberly Wang earned the Reserve First Year Green Working Hunter, Section A.

Tammy Provost riding Tommy Bahama for owner Laurie B. Stevens was named Reserve First Year Green Working Hunter, Section B.