Danielle Torano
Born: February 19, 1974
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FL
The American Grand Prix Association’s 2001/2002 Rookie of the Year, Danielle Torano has proven that her Rookie honors were not a flash in the pan. Over the past nine years she has strung together an impressive list of performances that have included representing the US in 2008 at the Rolex World Cup Final with Vancouver d’Auvray and on the Nations Cup Team at CSIO Wellington with Marlo. Torano and Vancouver d'Auvray returned to the World Cup Final in Las Vegas in April of 2009.
Danielle and Vancouver d'Auvray at the 2009 World Cup Final
Photo by Shannon Brinkman
Vancouver d’Auvray and Danielle had strong performances all through out the spring of 2009 in Wellington, FL and in Tampa. An animated stallion, Vancouver d’Auvray picked up checks up and down the Florida Turnpike on his way to qualifying for the World Cup.
They continued their succesful 2009 by collecting a second place finish at the $30,000 Open Jumper Classic in Lake Placid and third place finishes at the $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix and the $30,000 Battenkill Grand Prix.
This pair have had consistent results since their partnership began in 2006. Still an amateur rider, Danielle holds her own against the very best professionals in the world at some of the biggest shows.
Danielle also won the 2008 Hagyard Kentucky Classic Grand Prix last May with Marlo.
Back in 2001 and 2002, Danielle first made her influence known on the Grand Prix scene with top finishes in Wellington, FL, Upperville, VA, Lake Placid, NY and Pin Oak in Texas.
Danielle and Vancouver d'Auvray at the 2009 World Cup Final
Photo by Shannon Brinkman
A top amateur-owner hunter rider, Torano rode the famed Classic Importer to numerous championships. Torano earned tri-color ribbons at almost all of the nation’s most prestigious events including, the National Horse Show, the Washington International Horse Show, the Capital Challenge, the Lake Placid Horse Show, the Devon Horse Show, and the Winter Equestrian Festival.
Danielle is married to fellow Grand Prix rider Jimmy Torano. They have young daughter, Natalia.