In 2018, Alex Granato (USA) and Carlchen W made their Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ debut in Wellington. A year later, they earned their first World Cup victory at the same venue.

Granato and ‘Carl’ topped a competitive nine-horse jump-off to claim the 2019 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Wellington under picturesque conditions at the Jacobs family’s Deeridge Farms.

Mario Deslauriers (CAN) & Bardolina

Using footspeed to their advantage, they tore around Alan Wade’s (IRL) shortened track in 42.70 seconds, nearly a second ahead of Mario Deslauriers (CAN) and Bardolina (43.48 seconds).

Beat Mändli (SUI) & Dsarie

Beat Mändli (SUI) and Dsarie were third, finishing with a time of 44.16 seconds.

“It’s all very surreal,” said Granato, who also won the Suncast Palm Beach Masters Qualifier two days prior to earn his place in Sunday’s class. “It’s been an amazing week. It’s a privilege to ride at venue like this, against riders like this that I’ve looked up to for a long time.”

Granato has had Carl, an 11-year-old Mecklenberg gelding, for five years. Originally meant to be a sales prospect, he put together a partnership with owner Paige Tredennick to develop the horse for top sport.

“He’s a naturally fast horse, so I got to play that to my advantage and let him run at his pace and stay focused on my track and turns,” Granato said. “We got a bit lucky with a rub in the jump-off, but my horse is very fresh, and we were gearing him toward this week. He came out fresh and strong and ready for it.”

For full results, please click here.

Source: Press release by Catie Staszak for FEI – Fédération Equestre Internationale

Photos: © Kathy Russel Photography