Gladstone, N.J. - The first day competition of the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals - East saw the nation’s top youth talent compete in a combined Phase I and Phase II format. The Finals are hosted at the historic USET Foundation headquarters in Gladstone, N.J., from October 2-4, 2026. Adriana Forte (Water Mill, N.Y.) and Commander Bond, a 2016 Holsteiner stallion (Corrado I x Valencia IX) owned by ESI Show Jumpers, emerged as the day one leaders after delivering a standout flatwork and gymnastics performance, earning 95 in both to end the first day on a cumulative score of 237.5.
2026 saw an adjustment to the format of Phase I. Athletes were tasked with completing a series of movements predetermined by judges Chris Kappler and Michael Tokaruk. The 11 movements included lengthening and shortening strides, shoulder-in, counter canter, haunches-in, and a 180-degree turn-on-the-haunches each direction. The flatwok tests were released a week in advance, allowing athletes to prepare and practice their movements. These changes were designed to challenge the athletes on the flat and reinforce the principle of correct flatwork to prepare for the over-fences portion of the competition.
Upon completion of their flatwork, athletes immediately continued to the gymnastics phase. The course was designed by the judges and tested the combinations over 15 fences. Athletes were tasked with navigating a course of four fences set on a serpentine, oxers, rollbacks, and a five-fence gymnastics line which was jumped in both directions..
Athletes received one score for the flat phase and one score for the gymnastics phase, which had a multiplier of 1.5. Those scores were combined to determine the leader heading into the two additional jumping phases on Sunday.
JJ Torano (Wellington, Fla.) and Oak Grove’s Carlyle, a 2008 Holsteiner gelding (Casall x Roma VIII) owned by JET Show Stable, head into Phase III in second with a total score of 235. Alexa Curry (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and Valiant, a 2017 Selle Français gelding (Vivaldi du Seigneur x France de Hus) owned by Over The Top Stables LLC, sit in third place with a cumulative score of 224.3.
Competition resumes tomorrow, Sunday, October 4, at 9:00 a.m. ET with Phases III and IV. Phase III will feature a course of approximately 10-13 fences set at 1.15m in height. Scores earned in this phase will be doubled, producing a cumulative total to determine the top 10 athletes proceeding to Phase IV. Phase IV acts as a modified winning round, with athletes returning in reverse order of score over a course set to 1.15m in height, with spreads up to 1.50m. The course will be shortened and judged on the athlete’s ability to combine speed with short turns and accuracy, while maintaining control and classical riding style. Scores from the final round will be added to the riders’ cumulative total so far, determining the East Coast champion.
Watch the 2026 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals - East live and on demand on the USEF Network. Livestream brought to you by Hollow Brook Wealth Management.
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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.