Alex Granato (USA) and Carlchen W won the $208,200 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Wellington CSI 4*-W, presented by Suncast yesterday during the Palm Beach Masters Winter Classic CSI 4* at Deeridge Farms in Wellington, Florida, USA.
Conor Swail (IRL) and GK Coco Chanel (Clarimo x Lerano 2) were the first of 38 combinations to face and have no penalties after completing Alan Wade’s (IRL) challenging course, with obstacles varying from 1.40-1.65m, one of the main ingredients to make it a very exciting competition.
Todd Minikus (USA) and Chaventyno (Chacco-Blue x Aventyno) gave spectators what they hoped for, securing a jump-off backed by a flawless first-round performance.
With the exception of three obstacles, poles were falling all over the course, once again, a sign of brilliant course designing by the Irishman. However, the obstacles along the VIP tent (4 & 5), the wall (9) and triple combination (11) were the cause of most penalties attributed to the competitors.
The scene was set for a thrilling jump-off after Cormac Hanley (IRL), Alex Granato (USA), Mario Deslauriers (CAN), Devin Ryan (USA), Elizabeth Madden (USA), Ben Maher (USA) and Beat Mandli (SUI) also qualified for the jump-off.
Alex Granato (USA) & Carlchen W
Granato was looking to make it two in a row after winning Friday’s qualifier and that’s exactly what he did. The American once again guided Page Tredennick’s 11-year-old Mecklenburg gelding (Chacco-Blue x Continue) throuhghout the track, earning the victory in 42.70 seconds.
Mario Deslauriers (CAN) & Bardolina
Mario Deslauriers (CAN) and Bardolina (Clarimo x Landos) challenged the time set by the eventual winners, finishing second with no penalties and a time of 43.48 seconds.
Beat Mandli (SUI) & Dsarie
As the last ones to go in the jump-off, Beat Mandli (SUI) and Dsarie (Veron x Ahorn) were the only ones that could overcome Granato, securing the third spot on the podium after a clean performance in 44.16 during the tiebreaker.
Winner’s Circle
Alex Granato (USA):
“I have a naturally fast horse, so for both classes I got to play that to my advantage and try to let him run at this pace and stay focused on my track and my turns,” said Granato. “I think I got lucky here and there with a rub in each jump-off, but the horse is very fresh. I’ve been gearing him towards this week and I think he came out really fresh and strong and ready for it.” It’s a beautiful venue, I can’t say enough nice things. They do a great job. It’s so great of them to open their facility for us to come over. It’s an energizer in the middle of the circuit for us as riders and for the horses to get to jump at this kind of venue.”
Mario Deslauriers (CAN):
“My horse is at a point where she’s got to learn to go a little faster. She’s got a big stride so sometimes it’s a little more complicated to maneuver, but she’s learning to turn better. Today and even on Friday we tried to go a little faster to give her that experience and half a second faster today would have done it, but I was happy with the way she handled herself.”
Lou Jacobs:
“To see the level of competition here is extraordinary. That was the most gratifying to me, that people plan their year and bring their best horses here.”
Alex Granato (USA) & Carlchen W during the awards ceremony
For full results, please click here.
Photos: © Nuno Coelho Vicente
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Categories: Longines FEI Jumping World Cup
