International show jumping competition during HITS Championship week at HITS Hudson Valley in Saugerties, New York, heated up on Thursday, September 5, 2024. The four-star division highlights an action-packed schedule of hunter and jumper classes, featuring sizeable prize money purses. All eyes were on the Douglas Elliman Grand Prix Stadium for the day’s main event, the $116,050 Core Specialty Insurance CSI4* Welcome, where Alex Matz (USA) and his veteran partner Cashew CR reigned supreme.
In the star-studded field of 41 horse-and-rider combinations, an even 10 countries were represented including the United States, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Ireland, Israel, Germany, Great Britain, New Zealand, and Sweden. A tight time allowed of 84 seconds proved to be a challenge in Olaf Petersen Jr.’s (GER) first-round track, as three pairs picked up two time penalties each. Fourteen duos, however, did manage to find the clear path to advance to the jump-off. With Germany’s Rene Dittmer electing to save his formidable partner Corsica X for later in the week, that left 13 to race through the short course for the top prize.
Belgian rider Abdel Said started the jump-off with a lightning quick performance, crossing the timers in 35.52 seconds aboard Bonne Amie, an 11-year-old Estonian Sport Horse mare (A Big Boy x Landfriese) owned by AS Trading, Samuel Hutton, and Antonia Pettersson Häggström. That left the remaining 12 challengers to chase his time. Five riders later, it was Daniel Bluman (ISR), fresh off his trip to the Paris Olympic Games, that came dangerously close to catching Said. He stopped the clock just fractions of a second off the pace in 35.65 seconds with Hummer Z, a 10-year-old KWPN gelding (Harley x Hemmingway) owned by Abigail S Wexner. Matz immediately followed, and knowing what he had to do, he put the pedal to the metal with Cashew CR to finish in 34.41 seconds. Their time held up through the remaining five contenders, giving Matz the victory. Said would have to settle for the runner-up spot, while Bluman completed the top three.
“I knew the time was fast, and I knew I had a lot of fast riders behind me, so I had to give it my best shot but not do anything reckless,” explained Matz of his jump-off mindset. “If I did that, then I’d have a good chance.
“Cashew is naturally so fast,” continued Matz of the 16-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Cassini x Quinar Z), owned by Dorothy A. Matz, that he has been partnered with for more than seven years. “I actually did more strides than Abdel [Said], but Cashew has incredible foot speed and he’s so smart. He looks for the next jump, and he understands the game, probably better than most riders. I just try to stay out of his way. He jumped unbelievably, and it’s a great start to the week.”
Matz, who is based out of his Vintage Farm Sales in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, has spent quite a bit of time at the HITS Hudson Valley venue. Now with a win in the 116,050 Core Specialty Insurance CSI4* Welcome, he and Cashew CR will turn their attention toward the $250,000 Core Specialty Insurance CSI4* Grand Prix on Saturday, September 7, to end the season on a high note.
“I came to HITS Hudson Valley earlier this summer, and we had a great experience, so we chose to come back,” shared Matz. “It’s great. HITS has made a lot of improvements, and I think it really shows. The jumps are great, and the footing is spectacular. The horses, riders, grooms, everybody seems to really enjoy coming here.”
Four-star action continues Friday, September 6, with the $40,000 Go Rentals CSI4* Jumper, as competition builds toward the thrilling $250,000 Core Specialty Insurance CSI4* Grand Prix on Saturday, September 7. National classes during HITS Championship week also continue through Sunday, September 8. For complete results, please visit www.showmanagementsystem.com.