Alex Granato & Indio Shine in The Turf Tour’s Rising Star Classic

By Jumper News Branches on January 21, 2022

Wellington, Florida – January 21, 2022 – In the third week of competition on the 2022 Turf Tour, Alex Granato (USA) and Indio proved unbeatable in Wednesday’s highlight class, the $5,000 1.30M Rising Star Classic. Out pacing a field of Olympians and internationally accredited riders, Granato and the 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Reanna Stahl, Dvm swept the course designed by Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) without touching a single rail over two rounds. Set on the beautiful polo field at To-Kalon Farm, riders in Wellington have more chances to win money this week as Turf Tour competition continues on Friday with the $3,000 1.30M Speed Stake and $15,000 1.40M Grand Prix, as well as all levels jumping on the grass in a tranquil atmosphere.

Palacios’ course was set with a number of complicated rollbacks and the option for tight turns that potentially could cost a rider rails, especially in the jump-off. Once clear, riders faced a jump-off that included a skinny wall, bending line verticals, and two challenging rollbacks including to an oxer-vertical one stride. The first double clear effort went to Ki-Juan Minors and his mount Gantos G. He was soon overtaken, however, by the ever speedy Ashlee Bond (ISR) aboard Ionesco Sitte. Their time in the jump-off had them sitting at the top for round after round, including clear efforts by Daniel Coyle (IRL) and Luis Fernand F. Saenz-Morel (GUA). But it was Granato’s shockingly fast and controlled jump-off that won the day, beating out Bond with a time of 34.986.

Going into its fourth week of competition January 26-28, the Turf Tour has decided to add an extra day of show jumping that week at Polo West, including new money classes! Join the Turf Tour at this beautiful venue right off South Shore Boulevard for complimentary hospitality, generous prizes, and all levels of show jumping on the expansive polo fields!

Final Results – $5,000 1.30M Rising Star Classic

1) Alex Granato (USA) & Indio – 0 / 0 – 34.986

Source: Press Release by Holly / Equinium Sports for The Ridge Show Jumping