Alex Granato siegt im Horseware Ireland Open Jumper

Alex Granato sicherte sich gestern den Sieg im mit 10.000 Dollar dotierten Horseware Ireland Open Jumpers über 1.45m mit seinem Top-Pferd Zenith Dance im Tryon International Equestrian Center (TEIC). 20 Aktive schrieben sich in die Startliste dieses Springens ein, darunter auch Angel Karolyi (VEN) mit Wings und Noel Fauntleroy auf Cabras, welche die Plätze zwei und drei belegten.

Alex Granato und Zenith Dance bei der Siegerehrung ©Mancini Photos

Das Highlight am Samstag ist ganz klar der mit 127.000 Dollor dotierte CSI3* Adequan® Grand Prix FEI. „Ich fand den Parcours heute wirklich sehr ideal für mein Pferd. Er ist ein wirklich kluges und schnelles Pferd. Im Grundparcours waren ein paar schwierige Passagen und Galoppstrecken, wie die Linie nach der Tribble Bar. Hier hätten man leicht Fehler machen können, aber Zenith Dance war heute einfach wirklich toll“, so Alex Granato nach seinem Sieg.

Auf dem Weg zum Sieg: Alex Granato und Zenith Dance © Mancini Photos

Rang zwei gab es für Angel Karolyi und Wings © Mancini Photos

Noel Fauntleroy stand mit Cabras auf dem dritten Platz © Mancini Photos

$10,000 Horseware Ireland 1.45m Open Jumper:

1. ZENITH DANCE, 2004 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Sydney x Terrificdence
ALEX GRANATO (USA), Page Tredennick: 0/0/37.709

2. WINGS, 1998 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Lexicon x Jersey
ANGEL KAROLYI (VEN), Mclain Ward: 0/0/38.169

3. CABRAS, 2004 Holsteiner mare by Colman x Ostia IV
NOEL FAUNTLEROY (USA), Noel Fauntleroy: 0/0/39.366

4. RF CLEARWATER, 2007 Holsteiner gelding by Clearway x Tricolore
ANGEL KAROLYI (VEN), Karen O’Connor: 0/0/41.411

5. CECOTTO’S AS, 2006 Westphalian stallion by Cecotto x Penelope
CHRIS KAPPLER (USA), Jennifer Rowland: 0/0/41.867

6. BETTERTMES, 2006 Dutch Warmblood mare by Londontimes
TORI COLVIN (USA), Heritage Farm, Inc: 0/0/43.138

7. CHARLINE 28, 2005 Mecklenburg mare by Cellestial x Pik Dame
SHARN WORDLEY (NZL), Sky Group: 0/4/44.759

8. YPAJA YANDO, 2007 Swedish Warmblood gelding by Quinar x Lasina
RICHIE MOLONEY (IRL), Equinimity, LLC: 0/4/46.8

www.tryon.com

Quelle: Pressemeldung / Übersetzung © EQUESTRIAN WORLDWIDE – EQWO.net

Alex Granato of Salt Lake City, UT, and Zenith Dance, owned by Page Tredennick, topped the $10,000 Horseware Ireland 1.45m Open Jumpers at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TEIC), besting a class of 20 entries to take the win. Angel Karolyi (VEN) and Wings, owned by Mclain Ward, finished in second, with Noel Fauntleroy of Manakin Sabot, VA, aboard her own Cabras finishing in third. Competition continues at TIEC tomorrow with the highlight class of the week, the $127,000 Adequan® Grand Prix FEI CSI 3*. Gates to the facility will open at 6pm to the public and competition will begin at 8pm.

Alex Granato and Zenith Dance at the prize giving ceremony ©Mancini Photos

Granato climbed to the top of the leaderboard after riding a clear effort in the jump-off round, which saw eight combinations return, stopping the timers at 37.709 seconds. Granato has been riding the 2004 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Sydney x Terrificdence) for nearly two years after taking over the ride from Sarah Tredennick.

“I really liked the course today for my horse. He’s a very game and quick horse. The first round had a couple of good questions including some forward bending lines, like the line after the triple, that could throw you, but he rode really great today,” said Granato.

The winners: Alex Granato and Zenith Dance © Mancini Photos

The duo made fast and efficient work of the course designed by Ken Krome (USA), which Granato explained suited the gray gelding, who has accumulated several top place finishes in a very successful competition campaign during their spring circuit.

“He handled it all very well, and it was a really fun jump-off for us. He was very on-point with all of the turns. He felt great today and was absolutely ready to do his job,” noted Granato. “We had a busy winter circuit in Wellington (FL) and did some post circuit shows down there where he won one of the Grand Prix classes, which was our first Grand Prix in a year. He’s done some of the children’s and amateur jumpers too. He’s just an all-around great guy.”

Angel Karolyi and Wings © Mancini Photos

Granato is familiar with the TIEC facility, as he brought a string of horses to the venue last summer and fall, but has been blown away by the progress that the facility has made in the past six months since they last competed in November.

“We wanted to support the venue last year when it first opened and the changes from then to now are just crazy. We are leasing a farm right up the street so that we can stay based here during the summer. The facility is just amazing and we’re so impressed with how much has been done considering the amount of time,” he commented. “They are really in tune with the important things like the permanent buildings and the permanent barns. They make it comfortable for all of the horses, exhibitors, and spectators. I think it’s also important to touch on the amazing job they’ve done with the show too, just from the judging to the footing and everything in between. They’re doing it right.”

Noel Fauntleroy and Cabras © Mancini Photos