About Alex Granato
July 30, 1983
Alex Granato is a professional show jumper from Salt Lake City, Utah who has represented the U.S. in Nations Cup competition and won over 50 Grand Prix events across the U.S.
Alex's riding career began with western riding lessons with his older siblings at the age of 5. After an interregnum filled with many Disney movies about horses and Breyers, Alex finally started riding again when he got english riding lessons for his 9th birthday. After a few years of lessons, Alex began showing locally. While he occasionally ventured to Colorado or Arizona, by the time he was 17 he could count the number of A-rated shows he had done on two hands. This didn't stop him from being the youngest rider to win the Utah Hunter Jumper Association Medal Finals, at 13. He would go on to win it three years in a row. |
A few months before his 17th birthday, Alex found out about the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships, as it was being held for the first time in nearby Colorado. With a tangible goal in place, Alex decided to move his horses to Colorado and travel back and forth while doing his senior year of high school in Utah.
He soon realized this did not give him enough time with horses to reach his goal, so he convinced his parents to let him enroll in an online school geared towards child actors. He completed his senior year and was one of the first to graduate from the program while completing his junior career in Colorado and competing in Young Riders. Doing this convinced him that he wanted to continue riding. His parents gave their blessing to him forgoing college as long as he was able to support himself riding, so he became a professional upon turning 18. That same year, he would also compete in and win his first Grand Prix competition.
During his last junior year, while on the east coast competing in Medal Finals and the Prix de States team for Zone 8, Alex was staying over at a sales barn in New York. He was helping school some of the horses when the barn's owners, as a joke, put him on a hard case horse they were having trouble getting rid of. Alex rode him and instantly felt a connection, purchasing him for $6,500. His partnership with that horse, Mad Season, would fuel Alex's career over the next 12 years, ultimately winning over 20 grand prix events and over $500,000 in prize money.
From 2006-2013, Alex dominated the Midwest circuit, winning numerous Grand Prix events at Brownland, Maffit Lake, River Glen and Lake St. Louis, to name a few. In 2012, he was named to the USEF Long List for the U.S. Olympic Team along with his horse Gangsta. He started his own barn and training operation in 2013, naming it Mad Season, LLC after his recently retired Grand Prix horse. He based it out of Wellington, which he had only first competed in in 2012.
Alex had a very successful 2015 series, seeing him ranked in the top 25 of the USEF rankings and winning a Global Champions Tour Grand Prix event in Miami. Based off of these results, he was chosen to represent the United States in Nations Cup competition in Lisbon. At the conclusion of the 2015 season, Alex began a partnership with legendary equestrian trainer George Morris.
In 2017, Alex won his first FEI Grand Prix in Lexington aboard Carlchen W, kick-starting an impressive fall where the two would go on to win five additional Grand Prix events. On the strength of a competitive WEF season in 2018, the duo was invited to compete for the U.S. in Nations Cup competition in Xalapa, Mexico, where they were one of only two pairs to produce a double clear. Alex and Carlchen W also competed in the Nations Cup Final in Barcelona, where they delivered another clear round.
Alex and Carlchen's 2019 is shaping up to be one to remember, as they went two for two at the Palm Beach Masters CSIW 4* at Deeridge Farms, winning both the $208,200 Grand Prix and $71,000 Welcome Stake at the 4* event in February. They followed this up with 2nd and 4th place finishes at two 5* Grand Prix events in Wellington and wins at the 3* Grand Prix in Kentucky and 4* Welcome Stake at Upperville. In June, Alex was named to the US Jumping team for the 2019 Pan-American Games.
In his spare time, Alex helps rescue and rehabilitate miniature horses. He also enjoys watching Netflix and eating Ben & Jerry's, though not necessarily at the same time.
He soon realized this did not give him enough time with horses to reach his goal, so he convinced his parents to let him enroll in an online school geared towards child actors. He completed his senior year and was one of the first to graduate from the program while completing his junior career in Colorado and competing in Young Riders. Doing this convinced him that he wanted to continue riding. His parents gave their blessing to him forgoing college as long as he was able to support himself riding, so he became a professional upon turning 18. That same year, he would also compete in and win his first Grand Prix competition.
During his last junior year, while on the east coast competing in Medal Finals and the Prix de States team for Zone 8, Alex was staying over at a sales barn in New York. He was helping school some of the horses when the barn's owners, as a joke, put him on a hard case horse they were having trouble getting rid of. Alex rode him and instantly felt a connection, purchasing him for $6,500. His partnership with that horse, Mad Season, would fuel Alex's career over the next 12 years, ultimately winning over 20 grand prix events and over $500,000 in prize money.
From 2006-2013, Alex dominated the Midwest circuit, winning numerous Grand Prix events at Brownland, Maffit Lake, River Glen and Lake St. Louis, to name a few. In 2012, he was named to the USEF Long List for the U.S. Olympic Team along with his horse Gangsta. He started his own barn and training operation in 2013, naming it Mad Season, LLC after his recently retired Grand Prix horse. He based it out of Wellington, which he had only first competed in in 2012.
Alex had a very successful 2015 series, seeing him ranked in the top 25 of the USEF rankings and winning a Global Champions Tour Grand Prix event in Miami. Based off of these results, he was chosen to represent the United States in Nations Cup competition in Lisbon. At the conclusion of the 2015 season, Alex began a partnership with legendary equestrian trainer George Morris.
In 2017, Alex won his first FEI Grand Prix in Lexington aboard Carlchen W, kick-starting an impressive fall where the two would go on to win five additional Grand Prix events. On the strength of a competitive WEF season in 2018, the duo was invited to compete for the U.S. in Nations Cup competition in Xalapa, Mexico, where they were one of only two pairs to produce a double clear. Alex and Carlchen W also competed in the Nations Cup Final in Barcelona, where they delivered another clear round.
Alex and Carlchen's 2019 is shaping up to be one to remember, as they went two for two at the Palm Beach Masters CSIW 4* at Deeridge Farms, winning both the $208,200 Grand Prix and $71,000 Welcome Stake at the 4* event in February. They followed this up with 2nd and 4th place finishes at two 5* Grand Prix events in Wellington and wins at the 3* Grand Prix in Kentucky and 4* Welcome Stake at Upperville. In June, Alex was named to the US Jumping team for the 2019 Pan-American Games.
In his spare time, Alex helps rescue and rehabilitate miniature horses. He also enjoys watching Netflix and eating Ben & Jerry's, though not necessarily at the same time.
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Press
Granato Looks to Build on Stellar Career after Big Weekend - Grand Prix Replay
Behind the Scenes with a Top Show Jumper - Noble Outfitters Life
From Rescue to Mascot, Peeps is the Life of the Party - Chronicle of the Horse
Behind the Scenes with a Top Show Jumper - Noble Outfitters Life
From Rescue to Mascot, Peeps is the Life of the Party - Chronicle of the Horse
Notable Results
2021
- 3rd, WIHS 4* World Cup Qualifier
- 7th - Kentucky Horse Show $50,000 "The Betsy" Grand prix
- Team Silver, Spruce Meadows 5* Nations Cup
- 1st, $230,000 5* Traverse City Major League Grand Prix
- 1st, $72,000 5* Traverse City Honor Hill Welcome
- 7th, Split Rock 2* Welcome
- 9th, Split Rock 3* $100,000 Grand Prix
- 3rd, Split Rock 3* $50,000 Welcome
- 6th, Kentucky Spring $25,000 Commonwealth GP
- 11th, 5* WEF11 $500,000 Rolex GP
-8th, 5* WEF 11 $137,000 WEF Cup
2020
- 2nd, $72,000 4* National Horse Show Welcome Stake
- 9th, $213,000 4* National Horse Show Grand Prix
- 4th $137,000 Tryon Fall 3* Grand Prix
- 1st, $137,000 Traverse City 3* Grand Prix
- Qualified for World Cup Finals (canceled, Covid)
- 3rd, $401,000 5* WEF 7 Grand Prix
- 4th, $137,000 5* WEF 7
- 5th, $213,000 4* Palm Beach Masters World Cup Qualifier
- 8th, $72,000 4* Palm Beach Masters Candy Trimble Qualifier
2019
-1st, $135,000 National Horse Show 4* 1.55 Jumper Classic
-2nd, WIHS 4* $50,000 1.55 Welcome
- 1st, $135,000 3* Split Rock World Cup Qualifier
- 4th, $75,000 Gold Cup qualifier
- 12th, $210,000 American Gold Cup GP
- 1st, Upperville $71,200 CSI 4* Welcome Stake
- 1st, Kentucky Spring Classic $134,000 Mary Rena Murphy CSI 3* Grand Prix
- 4th, WEF 9 $391,000 CSI 5* Grand Prix
- 2nd, WEF 7 $391,000 CSI *5 Grand Prix
- 1st, Palm Beach Masters World Cup Qualifier $208,200 CSI 4* Grand Prix
- 1st, Palm Beach Masters World Cup Qualifier $71,000 CSI 4* Welcome Stake
2018
- 1st, Holiday and Horses $35,000 CSI 4* Welcome Stake
- Clear, CSI 5* Nations Cup Finals, Barcelona, Spain
- Double Clear, CSI 5* Nations Cup Competition, Coapexpan, Mexico
- 1st, WEF 8 $35,000 Challenge Cup
- 1st, ESP Holiday Finale $50,000 Grand Prix
2017
- 1st, Kentucky Spring Classic $130,000 Mary Rena Murphy CSI 3* Grand Prix
- 1st, ESP Spring 2 $25,000 Grand Prix
- 4th, WEF 8 $100,000 1.50 Suncast Classic
- 1st, WEF 1 $6k 1.40m Open Jumper
2016
- 1st, Tryon Fall 4 $8k 1.40m Open Jumper Classic
- 1st, ESP Spring 2 $10k Welcome Stake
- 1st, WEF 7 $6k 1.40m Speed
- 1st, WEF 2 $6k 1.04m Open Jumper
2015
- 1st, SFHJA Annual Charity Welcome Stake
- 1st, Split Rock Youngster Bowl
- Nations Cup Participant for U.S. in Lisbon
- 1st, ESP Spring 3 Grand Prix
- 1st, GCT Miami 2*
- 2nd, WEF 3 Ruby et Violette Challenge Cup
2014
- 1st, Tryon International Grand Prix
- 1st, Tryon Summer Grand Prix
- 1st, Aiken Spring Classic Carolina Real Estate Grand Prix
2013
- 1st, Atlanta Summer Classic I Outback Grand Prix
- 1st, 2nd, Gallop in the Glen II Grand Prix
- 1st, Gallop in the Glen I Grand Prix
- 1st, 2nd, Two Rivers Summer Festival II - Hott Horse Shows Grand Prix
- 1st, Brownland Farm Spring I Grand Prix
2012
- 1st, Gallop in the Glen II Grand Prix
- 1st, Brownland Farm Fall I Grand Prix
- Long List for US Olympic Team
- 1st, 2nd, Brownland Farm Spring I Grand Prix
2011
- 1st, 2nd, Brownland Farm Autumn Classic
- 2nd, 3rd, 5th, Brownland Farm Fall I Grand Prix
- 1st, Nashville Country Equine Hospital Grand Prix
- 1st, Nashville Classic Tractor Supply Grand Prix
- 1st, Brownland Summer Grand Prix
- 1st, 2nd, Two Rivers Summer Festival Grand Prix
- 1st, Brownland Spring II Grand Prix
2010
- 1st, Minnesota Harvest Grand Prix
- 1st, Brownland Fall II Grand Prix
- 1st, Mid South Classic Grand Prix
- 1st, Two Rivers Summer Festival II Grand Prix
- 1st, Maffit Lake Spring I Grand Prix
- 1st, Brownland Summer Grand Prix
- 1st, Brownland Spring I Franklin Country Grand Prix
- 1st, Maffitt Lake Spring I Grand Prix
2009
- 1st, Lake St. Louis Grand Prix
- 1st, Maffit Lake Spring I Hott Horse Shows Grand Prix
- 1st, Two Rivers Summer Festival I Grand Prix
2008
- 1st, Lake St. Louis Grand Prix
- 1st, Lake St. Louis Spring I Grand Prix
- 1st, Brownland Fall II Grand Prix
2007
- 1st, Lake St. Louis II Grand Prix
- 1st, Showplace Spring Classic Candlelight Farm Grand Prix
- 1st, Lake St. Louis Thanksgiving Grand Prix
- 3rd, WIHS 4* World Cup Qualifier
- 7th - Kentucky Horse Show $50,000 "The Betsy" Grand prix
- Team Silver, Spruce Meadows 5* Nations Cup
- 1st, $230,000 5* Traverse City Major League Grand Prix
- 1st, $72,000 5* Traverse City Honor Hill Welcome
- 7th, Split Rock 2* Welcome
- 9th, Split Rock 3* $100,000 Grand Prix
- 3rd, Split Rock 3* $50,000 Welcome
- 6th, Kentucky Spring $25,000 Commonwealth GP
- 11th, 5* WEF11 $500,000 Rolex GP
-8th, 5* WEF 11 $137,000 WEF Cup
2020
- 2nd, $72,000 4* National Horse Show Welcome Stake
- 9th, $213,000 4* National Horse Show Grand Prix
- 4th $137,000 Tryon Fall 3* Grand Prix
- 1st, $137,000 Traverse City 3* Grand Prix
- Qualified for World Cup Finals (canceled, Covid)
- 3rd, $401,000 5* WEF 7 Grand Prix
- 4th, $137,000 5* WEF 7
- 5th, $213,000 4* Palm Beach Masters World Cup Qualifier
- 8th, $72,000 4* Palm Beach Masters Candy Trimble Qualifier
2019
-1st, $135,000 National Horse Show 4* 1.55 Jumper Classic
-2nd, WIHS 4* $50,000 1.55 Welcome
- 1st, $135,000 3* Split Rock World Cup Qualifier
- 4th, $75,000 Gold Cup qualifier
- 12th, $210,000 American Gold Cup GP
- 1st, Upperville $71,200 CSI 4* Welcome Stake
- 1st, Kentucky Spring Classic $134,000 Mary Rena Murphy CSI 3* Grand Prix
- 4th, WEF 9 $391,000 CSI 5* Grand Prix
- 2nd, WEF 7 $391,000 CSI *5 Grand Prix
- 1st, Palm Beach Masters World Cup Qualifier $208,200 CSI 4* Grand Prix
- 1st, Palm Beach Masters World Cup Qualifier $71,000 CSI 4* Welcome Stake
2018
- 1st, Holiday and Horses $35,000 CSI 4* Welcome Stake
- Clear, CSI 5* Nations Cup Finals, Barcelona, Spain
- Double Clear, CSI 5* Nations Cup Competition, Coapexpan, Mexico
- 1st, WEF 8 $35,000 Challenge Cup
- 1st, ESP Holiday Finale $50,000 Grand Prix
2017
- 1st, Kentucky Spring Classic $130,000 Mary Rena Murphy CSI 3* Grand Prix
- 1st, ESP Spring 2 $25,000 Grand Prix
- 4th, WEF 8 $100,000 1.50 Suncast Classic
- 1st, WEF 1 $6k 1.40m Open Jumper
2016
- 1st, Tryon Fall 4 $8k 1.40m Open Jumper Classic
- 1st, ESP Spring 2 $10k Welcome Stake
- 1st, WEF 7 $6k 1.40m Speed
- 1st, WEF 2 $6k 1.04m Open Jumper
2015
- 1st, SFHJA Annual Charity Welcome Stake
- 1st, Split Rock Youngster Bowl
- Nations Cup Participant for U.S. in Lisbon
- 1st, ESP Spring 3 Grand Prix
- 1st, GCT Miami 2*
- 2nd, WEF 3 Ruby et Violette Challenge Cup
2014
- 1st, Tryon International Grand Prix
- 1st, Tryon Summer Grand Prix
- 1st, Aiken Spring Classic Carolina Real Estate Grand Prix
2013
- 1st, Atlanta Summer Classic I Outback Grand Prix
- 1st, 2nd, Gallop in the Glen II Grand Prix
- 1st, Gallop in the Glen I Grand Prix
- 1st, 2nd, Two Rivers Summer Festival II - Hott Horse Shows Grand Prix
- 1st, Brownland Farm Spring I Grand Prix
2012
- 1st, Gallop in the Glen II Grand Prix
- 1st, Brownland Farm Fall I Grand Prix
- Long List for US Olympic Team
- 1st, 2nd, Brownland Farm Spring I Grand Prix
2011
- 1st, 2nd, Brownland Farm Autumn Classic
- 2nd, 3rd, 5th, Brownland Farm Fall I Grand Prix
- 1st, Nashville Country Equine Hospital Grand Prix
- 1st, Nashville Classic Tractor Supply Grand Prix
- 1st, Brownland Summer Grand Prix
- 1st, 2nd, Two Rivers Summer Festival Grand Prix
- 1st, Brownland Spring II Grand Prix
2010
- 1st, Minnesota Harvest Grand Prix
- 1st, Brownland Fall II Grand Prix
- 1st, Mid South Classic Grand Prix
- 1st, Two Rivers Summer Festival II Grand Prix
- 1st, Maffit Lake Spring I Grand Prix
- 1st, Brownland Summer Grand Prix
- 1st, Brownland Spring I Franklin Country Grand Prix
- 1st, Maffitt Lake Spring I Grand Prix
2009
- 1st, Lake St. Louis Grand Prix
- 1st, Maffit Lake Spring I Hott Horse Shows Grand Prix
- 1st, Two Rivers Summer Festival I Grand Prix
2008
- 1st, Lake St. Louis Grand Prix
- 1st, Lake St. Louis Spring I Grand Prix
- 1st, Brownland Fall II Grand Prix
2007
- 1st, Lake St. Louis II Grand Prix
- 1st, Showplace Spring Classic Candlelight Farm Grand Prix
- 1st, Lake St. Louis Thanksgiving Grand Prix