Peacock Captures Equitation Championship and Torano Sweeps Opening Junior Jumpers at 2026 Devon Horse Show

Fifteen-year-old JJ Torano pilots North Run's Hanoverian stallion, Lyon 50, through the Dixon Oval on his way to securing a second consecutive win in the $3,750 1.40m Junior Jumper division at the 2026 Devon Horse Show and Country Fair. (Olivia Airhart/Mane Source Media for Phelps Sports/Phelps Media)

At the 2026 Devon Horse Show, top junior riders Parker Peacock and JJ Torano delivered standout performances, with Peacock securing the prestigious R.W. “Ronnie” Mutch Equitation Championship and Torano sweeping the opening Junior Jumper classes for the second consecutive year.

Article by Alex Zimmerman, AKSM Sports

DEVON, Pa. - The 2026 Devon Horse Show and Country Fair featured standout performances from the nation’s top junior riders, highlighted by Parker Peacock’s victory in the prestigious R.W. “Ronnie” Mutch Equitation Championship and JJ Torano’s continued dominance in the Junior Jumper division.

Eighteen-year-old Parker Peacock of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, secured the overall equitation championship title following highly consistent performances over two days of competition. Riding Ashland Farms’ Westphalian gelding, Montverdi, Peacock claimed the blue ribbon in the final section of the ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship Class. Her road to the championship also included first-place finishes in both the WIHS Equitation Classic – Jumper Phase and the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search, along with a second-place finish in the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Section B.

Heading into the final phase, Peacock felt the pressure but trusted her mount. "I was nervous, but excited," she said. "My horse was incredible yesterday, and I wanted to end with a bang the way it went yesterday. I am so glad it did!"

The victory marked a significant milestone for Peacock, who has partnered with Montverdi for a year and a half. "I would say we’re really close," Peacock noted of their bond. "I love this horse more than anything in the world. He’s really special to me, and I want to live up to him every single day."

Having competed at Devon since she was a young child riding ponies, the win held special meaning. "This is my first championship title, and I am so honored to be a champion here, and to add my name to the list of incredible riders that have been able to accomplish this," she shared. Peacock will be taking her talents to Auburn University in the fall as a member of the school’s equestrian team.

The ASPCA Maclay sections saw several other notable achievements. Elle Boyd of Camden, South Carolina, rode Caroline Moore’s Favorit Julius to victory in Section A. In Section B, Violet Tatum of Los Angeles, California, earned top honors aboard North Run’s Tanzanite de Semilly. Tatum was also presented with the Hannah Micayla Serfass "Best Overall Performance Award" in honor of the late rider. Additionally, Baylee Rowan of Little Rock, Rhode Island, was recognized with the William Cooney Jr. Style and Sportsmanship Award.

In the jumping arena, fifteen-year-old JJ Torano continued a winning streak of his own, returning to the Dixon Oval on Friday evening to secure a second victory for the week. Aboard North Run’s Hanoverian stallion, Lyon 50, Torano won the $3,750 1.40m Junior Jumper Class in a competitive six-horse jump-off. He edged out Amy Krebbs riding Jabantos, who finished second, and Scarlett Samuels on Confidence, who took third.

Torano’s Friday night win came just one day after he and Lyon 50 captured top honors in Thursday’s $3,750 1.40m Junior Jumper Speed Class. Impressively, this marks the second consecutive year the young rider has managed to sweep the opening two Junior Jumper classes at Devon.

Reflecting on the achievement, Torano said, "It’s a great feeling to go two years in a row and win these first two opening classes." Torano will now look to carry his momentum into Saturday night’s featured $20,000 SJHF 1.45m Junior Jumper Classic to complete the sweep.

You can stream all live and past coverage of the 130th Devon Horse Show on USEF Network, powered by ClipMyHorse.TV.