I live with aphasia, a condition that makes speaking far more difficult than most people realize. Words that once flowed easily often get tangled or slip away at the worst moments. Because of it, I’ve lost touch with friends I care about — not because I don’t want to see them, but because the fear of struggling to express myself can be overwhelming.
Writing this story has been surprisingly difficult too. Even though I know what I want to say, finding the right words, organizing my thoughts, and putting them into clear sentences takes a lot of effort and time. Some days it feels frustrating, but I keep working at it — the same way I push myself to speak with people at events.
That spirit and determination brought me back to the Devon Horse Show in May 2026.
The Torano family connection runs deep. My cousin Maria-Cristina lives in Miami and was very close to my mom, who lived in Havertown, Pennsylvania. Maria-Cristina was especially fond of my mom’s Aunt Beba. One year, she stayed at my mom’s house, and the two of them went together to the Devon Horse Show to watch my cousin Jimmy Torano ride. At the time, I was living in Connecticut and couldn’t join them, but their stories from that trip stayed with me.
My cousin Jimmy Torano is a respected figure in the equestrian world. A professional show jumper with over 15 years on the Grand Prix circuit, he and his wife Danielle run JET Show Stable out of Wellington, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Their son, JJ Torano, has already become one of the brightest young talents in American riding.
I first attended Devon in 2012 and 2013 with my wife to watch Jimmy compete. Those trips were special.
I had to see Jessica Springsteen, a world-class championship equestrian and Olympic show jumper who won a silver medal for the United States at the Tokyo Games. She is Bruce Springsteen’s daughter.
I still treasure the photos I took during those weekends, especially one from 2013 showing Jimmy and Danielle’s young children enjoying the show. On the right was a little boy with a big smile — that was JJ.
Fast forward to April 2025. I reached out to my cousin Maria-Cristina in Miami and asked if JJ would be riding at Devon again. She confirmed he would. I sent her the old photo, and she laughed, confirming it was indeed JJ and his sister.
This year, I decided I had to go.
On Thursday, May 21 — the start of Junior Week — I drove to Devon with the familiar mix of excitement and nerves. Aphasia always makes social moments harder, especially with family I haven’t seen in years. Still, I found Jimmy, Danielle, and JJ at the reserved seating area. I introduced myself the best I could: “I’m your mother’s cousin… I live in Philadelphia now.” I showed JJ the 2013 photo. His face lit up with laughter.
“That’s Taylor Cawley on the left!” he said. Moments later, he spotted her nearby and brought her over. We all laughed together as I explained how long I’d been following their journeys.
That afternoon, I watched JJ place 2nd in the WIHS Equitation Classic – Jumper Phase aboard Oak Grove Carlyle.
Platinim Performance/USEF Show Jump Talent Search came in 3rd.
Thursday was a bit chilly, so on my first evening I decided not to stay. In the evening, JJ won the $3,750 1.40M Junior Jumper Table II, 1 aboard Lyon 50. He also placed 4th with Vitus K, owned by Jet Show Stable. Taylor Cawley came in 7th aboard Klaartje Z. Since I couldn’t be there in person, I bought a year’s subscription to ClipMyHorse.TV app and watched the event from home on my TV. I couldn’t believe Taylor Cawley was the same girl from the 2013 photo. (Photos from ClipMyHorse.TV)
The next day, Friday, May 22, I returned better prepared for the weather. Sitting in the stands, I struck up a conversation with a woman whose daughter, Josophie Foshee, was competing. She said she was 17 and Cortazima Z was her horse. Her event was the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 group. When I mentioned I was there to watch my cousin’s grandson JJ Torano, she smiled and said, “Oh, everyone knows JJ!”
Which means that JJ must be using the 15 & Under events. The first one I found was the $3500 Small Junior Hunter 15 & U O/F. He had two horses. He came in 2nd on Family Affaire. He came in 5th on Stateside.
The next event was the $3500 Large Junior Hunter 15 & U O/F. JJ came in 3rd for Tiebreaker and 5th for Connect the Dots.
Then I saw something that didn’t make sense until I used Google to understand what the riders were doing. The event was the $3,000 Large and Small Junior Hunter 15 & U U/S. The horses and riders were cantering and trotting around the ring without jumping — it was the Under Saddle portion, where the judge evaluates the horse’s movement, manners, and way of going on the flat. JJ came in 6th with Connect the Dots for the Large Hunter and 5th and 7th for Family Affaire and Stateside for the Small Hunter.
JJ had a great day!
I could not go to the Devon Horse Show on Saturday, so I used my Devon App to keep in touch. It was a sweep. The $3500 Small Junior Handy Hunter 15 & U O/F came in 1st for Stateside. He came 5th for Tiebreaker for the Large Hunter.
He also won the $5,000 Small Junior Hunter for 15 & U Stake, coming in 1st for Stateside and 3rd for Family Affaire. For the Large Hunter, he came in 1st for Connect the Dots and 3rd for Tiebreaker.
JJ claimed the Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under Championship, the Leading Junior Jumper Rider Award, and the Shalanno Style of Riding Award. Watching him dominate both hunter and jumper rings at such a young age was incredible.
I stayed late into the night, watching him win the $3,750 1.40m Junior Jumper class aboard Lyon 50. I got to watch the app on www.clipmyhorse.tv.
The following week, during the Professional and International division, I returned on Tuesday and watched JJ compete against more seasoned professionals.
JJ had two horses in the $32,000 Jet Run Devon Welcome Stake. He came in 8th for I Am Inge and 16th on Dora Du Valor, owned by the Jet Show Stable.
On Friday, May 30, something special happened: the 15-year-old won the $32,000 Devon Speed Derby aboard Dora Du Valon — his first career FEI victory. It was a historic moment, and I felt immense pride.
The Devon Horse Show has always been more than just horses for me. It’s a place where I confront my aphasia head-on, reconnect with family, and witness the next generation shine. Seeing JJ grow from that smiling boy in my 2013 photo into a national champion has been one of the great joys of recent years.
I may struggle with words, but I refuse to let aphasia keep me from moments like these. I’ll be back next year — camera in hand, nerves and all — cheering for family and celebrating every victory, big and small.
