Lexington, United States – September 25, 2026 – The Split Rock Jumping Tour (SRJT) picked up with its second consecutive week of competition at the Kentucky Horse Park (KHP) for the Split Rock Fall Classic CSI 3* welcoming international horses and riders back to the Rolex Stadium and highlighting the $35,000 C. Jarvis Insurance Welcome CSI 3* – 1.45m on Friday afternoon. The 13-horse jump-off welcomed an impressive group, but it was ultimately Alex Granato (USA) aboard The Bright Lights Group’s El Diablo du Nord (Durrant x Irco Mena) who led the victory gallop, finishing nearly a second ahead of the rest.
The 15-effort track set by Bernardo Cabral (POR) set forth a fair track where the first in the order, Rachel Lindsey and Cellato, owned by Johnson Equine, paved the way, producing a clear round, ahead of twelve other contenders to ultimately make thirteen pairs returning for the jump-off.
Lindsey continued as the pathfinder, jumping a clear second round with a time of 44.50 seconds. Chris Pratt (CAN) entered sixth in for round two, blasting the time and setting a clear-round pace that seemed nearly uncatchable as he crossed the timers with the mare co-owned by Sweet Oak Farm and Take the High Road, Paulien Dwerse Hagen (Cornet Obolensky x Casall ASK), in 40.51 seconds.
Granato utilized the 12-year-old gelding‘s big stride and handy turns to shave nearly a second off of the already-remarkable pace from Pratt, taking the new leading time to 39.72 seconds.
The penultimate pair in the jump-off, Lauren Hough (USA) and Candeux (Chacco’s Rubin DSF x Fabuleux), owned by ABS Candeux gave a good effort, but their time of 42.27 seconds would slide them into third, behind Granato with the win and Pratt in second place.
“He’s a quirky horse, but he’s always had a big heart and a lot of talent – it’s been a process along the way in bringing his ridebaility and focus together but he’s come on really strong,” Granato reflected of El Diablo du Nord. “We made a point to save a few horses for this week to wrap up our fall. I love making Split Rock a stop during our season.”
International jumper competition will resume Sunday with the $100,000 Grand Prix CSI 3*, presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute.
Final Results – $35,000 C. Jarvis Insurance Welcome CSI 3* – 1.45m
1) Alex Granato (USA) & El Diablo du Nord – 0 / 0 – 39.72
2) Chris Pratt (CAN) & Paulien Dwerse Hagen – 0 / 0 – 40.51
3) Lauren Hough (USA) & Candeux – 0 / 0 – 42.27
Source: Press Release from Split Rock Jumping Tour (SRJT)
Photos: © SRJT / Winslow Photography
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