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Tuesday, February 28 2023 / Published in Sidelines Feature, Sidelines Spotlight, Weekly Feature

Alex Granato: Living the Life He Only Dreamed

Story and portraits by Lindsay McCall

Becoming obsessed with the equestrian sport while he was young was easy for Alex Granato. He loved animals, enjoyed the competition and he was talented. He began by taking opportunities and making sacrifices so he could live a dream equestrian life. There were setbacks, triumphs and one chance in front of the world that he will never forget.

Alex began riding at a young age in Salt Lake City, Utah. By 13 he was the youngest person to win the Utah Hunter Jumper Association Medal Finals. He was accomplished, a horseman, and had the equitation and technique that got him noticed.

Alex spent his teen years competing on his own horses and gaining catch rides, and by the time he was 16, he knew this sport was his future. “With the greatest support of my parents, I spent the summer before my senior year in Colorado showing and riding,” Alex said. “I gained so much experience in the competitive circuit world, but what really validated my interest was doing the first-ever Young Rider team there. After a summer that really set my dreams in motion, I went back to Utah and left my horses in Colorado. I tried the long commute and dual-tasking, which included going to school, but doing it that way wasn’t going to effectively work.”

Balancing Life

Alex put his education and riding at the forefront. He enrolled in a newly established online school and returned to Colorado to ride. This would be his first experience balancing two important parts of his life, which would benefit him for years down the road.

“Once I graduated, I put my focus toward the horses,” he said. “Once again, my parents were incredibly supportive of the aspiring rider I wanted to be. However, they also wanted the best for me and said, ‘If you’re going to do this life you dreamed of, you need to find a way to do it well and a way to make a living at it.’ With that goal in mind, when I turned 18, I became a professional. I started getting more catch rides, and found some less-expensive horses to purchase and made them up to sell to make my first income in the equestrian sport.”

Alex was getting noticed for his proper riding and his ability to create nice horses that were happy and willing to do their jobs. His easygoing nature brought him business, and it also gave him lifelong friendships in the equestrian world. He also had his own horse, Mad Season, that he was putting his time into, and in 2004, Alex and Mad Season competed successfully in their first FEI competition.

“Mad Season was my first Grand Prix horse ever,” he said. “I got him inexpensively because he was difficult, and through advice from other trainers, he and I developed an understanding and bond. We really learned to jump bigger classes together and to be competitive together. He put such a stamp on my career.”

From Colorado, Arizona and California, Alex logged a lot of miles in the saddle, the car and in the big leagues. He spent almost 10 years putting in his time, learning and growing. Many of the horses he was making up he would compete in the Midwest at the Grand Prix and national levels. As he made his way east, his goal was to get to Florida for the winter circuits. “Riding in Florida felt like a dream, and it was nice to get that winter training opportunity each year and keep my horses in great shape. Ocala was such an eye-opener for me, and being in Florida was a huge step and milestone in my life.”

Ocala was a start to Alex’s winter showing regimen, but in 2013, a client from Colorado led Alex further south to Wellington, Florida. That winter, Alex started his company, Mad Season LLC, named after his horse that helped get him started on the international stage. Alex went on to spend winters in Wellington and base his business in Lexington, Kentucky, outside of the winter season.

With everything going very well for Alex and competing in many five-star events, he and equine partner Carlchen W, owned by Page Tredennick, made their FEI debut in Wellington in 2017, winning their first Grand Prix that season along with other top placings.

Lucky Chance

In 2018, Alex headed to Barcelona, the former Olympic stadium, to compete in the Grand Prix. With some team changes, he was selected to compete at the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup Final. Alex and Carlchen W had a flawless round, coming in clean and fast helping the U.S. team secure the runner-up position.

“Those were the moments I wanted to remember forever,” Alex recalled. “As a kid growing up, it was always a dream to ride in those events, but I never felt like it would be within my grasp. My favorite two memories of my riding career include helping the team in Barcelona with clear rounds and bringing home the bronze medal at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. Carlchen W was such a superstar. I feel lucky to have had him as a partner all of these years.”

After the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic season, Alex re-examined his goal of staying at the top of the sport. During the week, he takes dressage lessons, gallops in the fields, and gives his horses the pasture time and top fitness they deserve. He has also taken on clients and additional horses.

“I’m very honest with my clients. I want them to succeed and reach their goals, and I want them to know that I’m focused on my goals as well,” he said. “I love my clients and the horses I get to work with every day.”

In 2021, Alex found success around the country, but it was his first five-star Grand Prix win in July that defined that summer, capturing the Major League Show Jumping (MLSJ) $230,000 Grand Prix CSI5* at Traverse City in Michigan. He and Carlchen W were selected for the U.S. Jumping Team at the BMO Nations Cup during the 2021 Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament CSIO5*. Unfortunately, Carlchen W had lost shoes during the week and it was not the outcome Alex hoped for. The team went on to win second place in the Nations Cup, and Alex understands that with horses, you have setbacks, lost shoes and some tears even at the big shows.

On Top in Two Disciplines

In addition to show jumping, Alex has developed and ridden some of the top hunter horses in the country. “I really do enjoy the hunters,” Alex said with a smile. “Most of my younger riding years, I had a couple of horses of my own to earn some prize money, and the other side of my income was catch rides and developing and selling hunter horses. I enjoy it, and it’s a different aspect of the industry than the jumpers with a political avenue, technique and riding for different judges. It’s not black and white like the jumper ring, and there’s something really intriguing and fun about having a spectacular hunter, especially a derby horse, and campaigning it that way. Having the international derby division the last decade has made the hunters more special in the industry.”

Alex is thrilled to be living the dream of any equestrian and a life beyond what he expected at 16 in Colorado, now working with his clients, showing in Wellington, competing at five-star show-jumping competitions in Europe, working with exceptional people and owning a farm of minis, dogs, goats and more. “I want to make an impact and give back to the industry so other people can have the same experience I have had,” he said.

For more information, visit www.alexgranato.com

 

Photos by Lindsay McCall

Double D Trailers Info

Tagged under: alex granato, horse rescue, Mad Season LLC, miniature-horse, show jumper

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Lisa Goldman-Smolen and Ivaro N strike gold in Gre Lisa Goldman-Smolen and Ivaro N strike gold in Great American $300,000 Grand Prix at HITS Ocala!! 🏆🥇

Crowds filled the stands at the HITS Ocala Grand Prix Ring on Sunday afternoon to watch the world’s top athletes compete in the Great American $300,000 Grand Prix. The day concluded with a thrilling five-horse jump-off featuring athletes 
representing four countries. In the end, it was Lisa Goldman-Smolen (USA) and Ivaro N who produced the only double clear effort of the day, claiming one of the biggest wins of her career. Scott Keach (AUS) and Noble De La Chapelle earned the second-place prize with the fastest 4-fault jump-off, while Aaron Vale (USA) and Obi Wan placed third as the day’s pathfinders.

“I'm still on cloud nine, I still can't believe it – I’ve used up all my luck for the year,” smiled Goldman-Smolen after her win. “I've been knocking on the door a long time in these bigger classes. I am so proud of my horse – he gave every ounce of effort.”

Sunday’s Great American $300,000 Grand Prix marked the conclusion of the 2023 HITS Ocala circuit. HITS CCO Joe Norick concluded, “We are so excited about the new HITS, with 2023 as the launch. New footing, many new arenas here, and a lot of our facilities across America are getting a lot of love and new footing. Our partnerships with Worldly Martin and others across America including our footing leader Bart Poles overseeing our operations – it really makes a big difference for us. Today is about Ocala and these three riders sitting next to me who supported us this entire winter. We want to be a proud destination for our exhibitors and our friends. We know we have to provide them a beautiful showplace to work from that's horseman friendly, and that's our go goal. 

Congratulations to all of the riders, horses, owners, and groom who participated in this prestigious class!!! 🎉
📸 @esi_photography 
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It's #STUDSunday and today's featured stallion is. It's #STUDSunday and today's featured stallion is...

 ✨PF'S DIAMO BLUE✨
Diarado-Diamant de Semilly- Chacco Blue
17.0hh, Oldenburg International Hunter Derby/ Jumper Stallion
An outstanding Pedigree- Chacco Blue and Diamant de Semilly
WBFSH/ Rolex top ranking Jumping Sires 2017 thru 2022
Standing at Ryan Pedigo Sport Horses, in California

For more information, you can contact 
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You can find ALL of the stallions featured towards the back of the magazine in the equestrian gallery. Keep a look out EVERY Sunday for a new handsome STUD muffin🧁 and don't forget to subscribe to get your very own edition of Sidelines Magazine, the magazine for horse people, about horse people 🦄

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Annette Longenecker wasn’t just born into horses Annette Longenecker wasn’t just born into horses—in a way, she was born into her career. She grew up in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where her parents ran a farm. Her mother taught, and her father had a jump business and then created one of the first horse show software programs: Ryegate Show Services, Inc.

Riding all her life, Annette spent many years as a groom and loved it, but knew it wasn’t what she wanted to do as a career. After she finished college, Annette’s father recruited her to help process entries at Ryegate. Since her father, Lloyd Longenecker, founded it in 1981, Ryegate has provided show management and office staff for some of the largest shows in the country. Now, Annette has taken over from her father and directed the company as it focuses on managing memberships and rankings for organizations such as the North American League, WIHS Championships and Equitation, Rolex/USEF Computer Ranking and National Medal Series (THIS NCM and Ariat NAM). Ryegate also provides scoring software for use with video walls, and production teams for hunter and jumper shows.

“Besides running Ryegate Show Services and its various organizations, I can be found in the show office, running a scoreboard or judging jumpers at most shows,” Annette said. “I love getting to wear a few different hats at the show.”

When she’s not busy at a show, Annette lives in Annville, Pennsylvania, with her “fur-baby,” Maggie Mae, and enjoys spending time with her many godchildren. Though she doesn’t currently own any horses, Annette rides when she can at Rolling Acres Farm with Patty Foster, Ashley Foster-Worthington and Mary Lisa Leffler.

Read this month unbridled with Annette Longenecker by clicking the link in our bio. Never miss a story by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine! 🦄
📸Photo by Sheryl Sutherby

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A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself The spor A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself 
The sport of eventing is a demanding and mentally challenging discipline that requires a combination of physical and mental fortitude from both the rider and horse. While having a coach can be incredibly beneficial, self-coaching can also play a crucial role in a rider’s success.

I think that given the opportunity, most riders would like to be coached every day. The reality of life in the horse world, however, is that the majority of us need to absorb as much from the lessons we have on a limited basis and then practice those skills at home to improve.

When I am riding, I try to have a plan for the horses each day and focus on what I’m looking to achieve. It’s important to be aware of the steady improvements rather than trying to solve everything all at once. This is especially important when teaching horses new movements or exercises that they might struggle with, and we need to give them time to learn and understand what we are asking for.

I have a couple of quotes that I use regularly when I’m teaching, and these are mottos that I hold myself to in my daily work as well.

The first is, “If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always gotten.” This is a quote that was said to me many years ago when I was still motor racing and I keep it in the back of my mind each day. It’s easy to get stuck doing the same thing every day with your horse and bad habits are hard to break, from both riders and horses!

This leads me to my next quote, which is, “If what you are doing isn’t working, try something else.” It really is as simple as that! Many riders I see keep asking a horse to do something the same way over and over with an ongoing negative response and they wonder why things don’t get better. In these circumstances, I recommend that the rider change something, even if it’s wrong.

Read the full article by clicking the link in our bio! Don’t forget to keep your eye out for our April subscription!
📸Photo by Alex Banks Photography
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