Alex Matz of the United States celebrated an emotional victory in the $90,000 Royal Winning Round before announcing the retirement of his longtime mount Cashew CR on Friday evening, November 14, at the CSI5*-W Royal Horse Show, held as part of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, ON.
At 17, the Holsteiner gelding (Cassini II x Quinar Z) owned by Alex’s mother, Dorothy A. Matz, carried the 29-year-old rider to victory, writing the last chapter in their storied career together. Throughout their nine-year partnership, Alex and Cashew CR have amassed 47 international podium finishes together, including two CSI5*-W wins at last year’s Royal Horse Show.
“To have him go out on such a high note is really special; he’s a champion and he should go out with a win,” said Alex, son of 1996 U.S. Olympic team silver medalist Michael Matz. “We decided a couple of months ago that at the end of this year, he would be retired. He’s given so much to me, the best that we can do for him is to give him a happy retirement where he’s sound and healthy. I’m sure he would do more for us, but he doesn’t owe me anything.”
Both Alex’s mother and father were in the crowd, cheering on as Cashew CR scored his final win.
From Friday’s starting field, the 10 top pairs returned in reverse order of standing with a clean slate. Continuing his Royal streak and staying true to his goal of finishing in the top five in every event, Colombia’s Mark Bluman (COL) set a blistering pace of 39.37 seconds as the penultimate rider aboard Phelina de Septon, owned by Canadian Olympian Mario Deslauriers.
Alex, however, bumped Bluman down to second by nearly three seconds after crossing the timers in 36.96 seconds. Rene Dittmer of Germany jumped into third riding Echo vh Gerendal Z, owned by Sky Group, on a time of 41.06 seconds over the course designed by fellow German Olaf Petersen, Jr.
“He’s naturally much faster than almost any other horse,” said Alex of where he caught Bluman’s time. “He’s quick across the jumps as well. I think it was a combination of his athleticism and speed that gave us the time.
“Marky’s on a heck of a run right now,” continued Alex of his fiercest competition of the night. “He had a brilliant round, so I knew it would be tough to beat. Luckily, it went our way.”
Nearly a decade together has given Alex and Cashew CR the advantage of knowing each other inside and out.
“He knows all my moves; he knows when I’m going to lean too much one way or the other way, and he figures it out,” he said. “It’s a credit to how smart of a horse he is.”
While Cashew CR prepares to head for his favourite field at the Matz’s family farm in Coatesville, PA, Alex turns his focus to defending his 2024 title in the $280,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Toronto, presented by Ecclestone Horse Transport, on Saturday, November 15.
The world’s best will compete for international show jumping glory on the final evening of the Royal Horse Show in front of a sold-out Coca-Cola Coliseum. The event will serve as a coveted qualifier for the 2026 FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Fort Worth, Texas. Catch all the CSI5*-W action live on FEI.TV.
Friday night spectators were treated to breathtaking pre-show entertainment in the Coca-Cola Coliseum featuring world-renowned liberty performer and master trainer, Sylvia Zerbini and her magical team of Arabian horses. Zerbini is a ninth-generation circus artist who has performed in front of over 10 million people worldwide with troupes that include Ringling Brothers, Cavalia, and her own production, Grande Liberté. Together with her horses, Zerbini treated horse-enthusiasts and first-timers alike to a performance of equestrian artistry that celebrated the power and grace of the horse.
To purchase tickets for the 2025 Royal Horse Show, visit www.royalfair.org/horse-show/.
$90,000 Royal Winning Round
Friday, November 14, 2025
Rider / Nation / Horse / Faults / Time
1. Alex Matz / USA / Cashew CR / 0 / 36.96
2. Mark Bluman / COL / Phelina de Septon / 0 / 39.37
3. Rene Dittmer / GER / Echo vh Gerendal Z / 0 / 41.06
4. Skylar Wireman / USA / Citoki / 0 / 41.26
5. Vaclav Stanek / CZE / Calippo 57 / 0 / 41.99
6. Adrienne Sternlicht / USA / Los Angeles de la Cense / 0 / 43.15
7. Aaron Vale / USA / Helios du Moulin / 0 / 43.20
8.Kaitlin Campbell / USA / Cosm Hesed / 4 / 39.96
9. Daniel Coyle / IRL / Farrel / 4 / 39.97
10. Daniel Bluman / ISR / Gemma W / withdrawn
Full results here.
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