October 6, 2017 
Alex Granato (USA) likes to win. Just maybe not as much as his mount Carlchen W.
“This horse is a real competitor,” said Granato. “He is probably more game than I am to go in and win each time.”
Win they did in the $40,000 Amalaya Investments 1.50m Welcome at Split Rock Jumping Tour’s Columbus International CSI 3* held at the Brave Horse Show Park in Johnstown, Ohio.
Granato and the nine-year-old Mecklenberg gelding were one of eight horse and rider combinations out of 46 starters to make it around two-time Olympic Course Designer Olaf Petersen’s extremely tough track. And just one of two riders to post a double clear.
David Raposa (USA) on S & L Sage were the only other combination to master the course. Going first in the jump-off, they stopped the clock at 50.42 seconds. Granato and “Carl,” as he’s known in the barn, shaved almost two seconds off the Raposa’s time, completing the short track in 48.63 seconds to take home the win.
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“We have a long partnership, I have had him since he was a five-year-old, so four and-a-half years together. We know each other quite well at this point,” said Granato. “He has had a super year.”
Tune in tomorrow on HorseNetwork.com/live for Day Four of the SRJT Columbus International II.
