Alex Matz (USA) and Cashew CR are two-for-two at the Royal Horse Show after winning the $85,680 Centennial Cup on Friday evening, November 8, during the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, ON.
The 28-year-old is making his second appearance at the Royal Horse Show a memorable one by claiming victory in Friday’s one-round speed competition after also leading the victory gallop in Wednesday’s Strength & Speed Challenge. Third in the original order, Matz made quick work of Oscar Soberon’s (USA) course in front of an enthusiastic crowd in the Coca-Cola Coliseum.
Matz and Cashew CR, a 16-year-old Holsteiner (Cassini II x Quinar Z) owned by his mother, Dorothy A. Matz, crossed the timers in 51.76 seconds with a long list of notoriously quick riders still to come.
“I knew if I gave Cashew a chance I’d be very competitive, but there were a lot of really fast people behind me so I had to give it my all and, luckily, it went my way,” said Alex Matz, who put his trust in the eight-year partnership he has developed with the gelding. “He’s a phenomenal horse. He always wants to jump clear and he’s a fighter. I don’t think I will ever have another horse like him.”
For the second night in a row, Irish Olympian Daniel Coyle put the fast footwork of Incredible to good use but finished just shy of the winning time. Coyle and the 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Clinton x Heartbreaker) owned in partnership with Ariel Grange finished as the runner-up in 52.79 seconds.
Former Canadian Show Jumping Champion and Toronto’s own Sean Jobin piloted Coquelicot vh Heuvelland Z, his 12-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Catoki x Cassini II), to a third-place finish in 54.75 seconds.
When asked about the training that goes into his consistency with Cashew CR, otherwise known as “Monkey” around the barn, Alex Matz noted, “We try to keep things simple and make sure he is happy and healthy. He knows his job and if I ride well, that gives him the best chance to shine.
“There’s really not much training that goes into Cashew anymore,” explained Alex Matz, who receives constant guidance from his father Michael Matz, a three-time U.S. Olympian and winner of a team silver medal in 1996 – the same year Alex was born.
After a banner week so far, Alex Matz now turns his focus to Saturday’s Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Toronto with his second mount, Ikigai.
“My horses have been jumping incredibly here at The Royal,” he said. “The crowds are fantastic, and this is one of my favourite shows. It’s an honour to compete here, an honour to have him as a horse, and I couldn’t be happier.”
International show jumping competition culminates on Saturday, November 9, as the world’s best compete for glory in the $272,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Toronto. The event will serve as a coveted qualifier for the 2025 FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Basel, Switzerland, next April.
For more information on the Royal Horse Show, including daily schedules and to purchase tickets, visit www.royalfair.org/royalhorseshow.
$85,680 Centennial Cup
Friday, November 8, 2024
Rider / Nation / Horse / Faults / Time
1. Alex Matz / USA / Cashew CR / 0 / 51.76
2. Daniel Coyle / IRL / Incredible / 0 / 52.79
3. Sean Jobin / CAN / Coquelicot vh Heuvelland Z / 0 / 54.75
4. McKayla Langmeier / USA / 0 / 55.14
5. Antonia Pettersson Häggström / SWE / Tom Hanks / 0 / 56.85
6. Jordan Coyle / IRL / King Kannan GP / 0 / 57.00
7. Aaron Vale / USA / I. Adermie R 4 / 4
8. Conor Swail / IRL / Gamble / 4
9. Jessica Mendoza / GBR / I-Cap CL Z / 4
10. Mclain Ward / USA / First Lady / 4
Full results here.
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