After Stellar 2019, Alex Granato Has Big Plans For 2020 With Top Mount Carlchen W
Remember the name Alex Granato. A rising star in the ultra-competitive U.S. show jumping realm, he is on the cusp of becoming a household name, joining the likes of superstars such as McLain Ward, Kent Farrington, Margie Engle and Laura Kraut.
Granato, who is originally from Salt Lake City but now calls Wellington home, is coming off an exceptional 2019 season and looking forward to raised expectations. He has worked his way up in the industry, dominating the Midwest circuit for many years before coming to Wellington. He has won more than 50 Grand Prix events during his career, but last year was one to remember.
“I feel like my 2019 season was surreal,” said Granato, a relative newcomer to the Winter Equestrian Festival circuit in Wellington. “I think it was a big year for me to learn about putting the proper attention on my horses and my program. And to also be looking forward and planning for new goals.”
Granato and his most prominent mount, Carlchen W, a naturally fast and quick horse, were consistently contending for top honors throughout 2019. They won several major events, including a World Cup qualifier in Wellington last February and another World Cup qualifier in Columbus, Ohio in October. They were also part of the silver medal-winning U.S. Nations Cup team in Mexico in early May.
Their steady, reliable record resulted in Granato’s selection to his first Pan American Games, held in Lima, Peru in early August, where the U.S. team earned the bronze medal.
One of his Pan Am teammates was four-time Olympian and two-time Olympic team gold medalist Beezie Madden.
“Alex does not necessarily remind me of anyone in particular, but I think he is a great representative of the American style,” said Madden, a fan favorite at WEF. “He is very comfortable working out of a forward gallop and being aggressive, making him very competitive.”
Jeff Gogul is a top hunter rider who has known Granato for many years.
“His talent is God-given,” Gogul said. “I think he’s thoughtful and intuitive with his horses. He doesn’t rush horses along. He helps them meet their potential. He spent a lot of time with Carl, and they have had two incredible seasons. He knows when to push and when to back off.”
With his spectacular 2019 season in the rearview mirror, Granato has formulated a specific blueprint for 2020 with Carlchen W.
“My plan is to focus on a few important weeks and qualify for the 2020 FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas,” the 36-year-old Granato said. “I am also going to put focus toward some new horses that I’m excited about.”
The FEI World Cup Finals are April 15-19 in Las Vegas with a key qualifier in late January in Wellington and another in early March in Ocala. The top seven riders advance to the finals. Heading into the season, Granato and Carlchen W were in ninth place, just three points out of seventh.
Page Tredennick, who owns Carlchen W, remembers being aware of Granato when he was a junior, riding in Arizona and Colorado.
“I always admired his skill and drive even when he had tough horses,” Tredennick said. “I started working with him six years ago when my daughter was transitioning out of the horses and headed to grad school. That was when I purchased Carl, and he assumed the ride on my other Grand Prix horse Tanner.”
Granato runs the hunter-jumper barn Mad Season, based out of Wellington and Lexington, Kentucky, with professional rider Josh Dolan. It is named in honor of the horse Granato purchased during his last year as a junior competitor. They went on to win more than 20 Grand Prix events over the next decade.
Even on days when Granato isn’t showing, he stays busy, first by walking his dogs and then heading to the barn.
“I check in with everyone and get started on our plan for the day,” Granato said. “After riding and lessons, I’ll run a couple of errands and maybe grab some lunch. Then back to the barn for chores with the minis.”
On off days, Granato relaxes by spending time with friends either just cooking at home, going to movies or going to Drive Shack.
Granato stressed that his recent success isn’t just his.
“There is a long list of people who have supported and helped me along the way,” Granato said. “Just highlighting some… my family has always been behind the scenes encouraging me. The Tredennicks have trusted me to work with their horses and let me develop Carlchen to where he is now. And perhaps the most instrumental in helping me do what I’ve done has been Josh [Dolan]. He has always given it to me straight and helped me with the program and plan with the horses.”
In his spare time, Granato helps rescue and rehabilitate miniature horses for the Peeps Foundation, a nonprofit he and Dolan created.
“The Peeps Foundation has become a real group effort with Josh, myself, our staff and our clients all getting involved,” Granato said. “We do all the daily care, 90 percent of the feet trimming, we assist Josh with all the glue extensions and corrective shoes, and we’re constantly working on new rescues to help.”
Madden recalls Granato as an exceptional teammate.
“He is a wonderful person with a great sense of humor and can be very entertaining,” Madden said. “He also has a great sense of compassion, as evidenced by his work with the Peeps Foundation.”
Granato and Carlchen W, an 11-year-old warmblood gelding, have swiftly moved up the ranks to the be among the best combinations in the sport.
“Alex is honest and straightforward,” Tredennick said. “He’s quiet and a hard worker. “He’s Type A around the horses and reliable. Overall, he is a really good person.”
Learn more about Alex Granato and follow his career by visiting www.alexgranato.com.
