Alex Granato (USA) closed out ESP Pre-Charity week at Florida’s Wellington International by racing to a win in the $140,000 Flagler Insurance CSI3* Grand Prix riding Helios vd Nosahoeve on Sunday.
With record-breaking entries totaling more than 750 horses for the week, 12 nations were represented in the day’s featured event. Nine horses advanced to course designer Hector Loyola’s (PUR) tie-breaking jump-off. Granato, 41, returned with only three to come behind him and posted a formidable time to beat of 42.60 seconds.
“I wanted to establish all my speed early to the triple bar so I could navigate and be patient to the verticals,” said Granato. “From there, I needed to keep the pace through the track.”
Granato stuck to his plan with the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Numero Uno x London) owned by Kisma Equestrian, and bumped current leader Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) to second. Riding Baroness, owned in partnership with Leeann Ablin, Larrazabal settled for the runner-up ribbon in a time of 45.50 seconds.
“His strength is a super consistent attitude,” said Granato, a member of the bronze medal winning U.S. team at the 2019 Pan-American Games in Lima, Peru. “I was trying to keep up with him out there. He’s so bold and brave at the jumps.”
At the start of his partnership with Helios vd Nosahoeve two years ago, Granato felt the horse lacked experience. Now, after seven international wins this year, he has confidence that the horse is a true winner.
“When I took the time to fine-tune him and trust him in the ring, his competitive nature took off,” recalled Granato. “My main focus is going to be to stay consistent at this level and maybe dabble in more four- or five-stars.”
Granato, whose Mad Season, LLC, is based in Lexington, KY, shifted his plan this year to let his string spend their fall in the paddock and make his yearly pilgrimage to Florida earlier. “We skipped indoors, came down at the start of November and focused on this week and the upcoming four-star. I’ve really enjoyed it; I’m excited to be going again.”
Andrew Welles (USA) and Idol H&H rounded out the top three for owners Evergreen Stables and Itasca Group, by taking third in 46.01 seconds. Ireland’s Philip McGuane had the time beat but finished with one rail down. He rode Ophea HQ, owned by Evergate Stables, to the fastest four-fault round in 41.98 seconds.
International competition at Wellington International resumes with the ESP Holiday & Horses CSI4* November 27 through December 1.
$140,000 Flagler Insurance CSI3* Grand Prix
1. Alex Granato (USA) & Helios vd Nosahoeve: 2012 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Numero Uno x London) Owner: Kisma Equestrian Faults/Time: 0/0/42.60
2. Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) & Baroness: 2015 Westphalian mare (Balous Bellini x Polydor) Owners: Luis Fernando Larrazabal & Leeann Ablin Faults/Time: 0/0/45.50
3. Andrew Welles (USA) & Idol H&H: 2013 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Action-Breaker x Glennridge) Owners: Evergreen Stables & Itasca Group Faults/Time: 0/0/46.01
4. Philip McGuane (IRL) & Orphea HQ: 2014 Belgian Warmblood mare (Emerald x Epleaser van’t Heike) Owner: Evergate Stables Faults/Time: 0/4/41.98
5. Nicky Galligan (IRL) & VDL Nikita van de Leeuwerk: 2013 Belgian Warmblood mare (Zavall VDL x Argentinus) Owner: Santa Rosa Group Faults/Time: 0/4/42.21
Complete results here.
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