LAKE PLACID, N.Y.--Alex Matz of Coatesville, Pa., became just the sixth rider to sweep both Lake Placid Grand Prix events in the same year when he rode Davidson to win the $$100,000 Grand Prix at the I Love New York Horse Show, the second of two weeks of the 2021 Lake Placid Horse Shows.
Alex Matz on Davidson (Photo by KindMedia)Six of 30 entries reached the jump-off by going clean over the 16-jump, first-round course designed by Ken Krome.
Carly Anthony was first to return for the eight-jump tiebreaker course, and she set the mark to beat with another clean ride and a time of 42.269 seconds on Jet Blue.
Each of the next four entries had faults leaving it up to Matz, the last to go.
Matz, 24, who won his first career Grand Prix last Sunday on Cashew CR, blazed over the course fault-free on Davidson and finished in the jump-off’s fastest time of 38.320 seconds to join Leslie Burr Howard, Debbie Dolan-Sweeney, Margie Engle, Jeffery Welles and Darragh Kenny as the only riders to sweep Lake Placid’s two Grand Prix events in the same year.
“MY HORSE was at his best today, he was just phenomenal,” said Matz, son of Show Jumping Hall of Famer Michael Matz and D.D. Matz, winner of multiple championships at Lake Placid. “He did everything I asked of him, especially when I called on him and needed him so it’s a real tribute to him. It was a great two weeks here, and I really look forward to coming back.”
Matz also finished fourth with a four faults in 40.750 seconds on Flash with third going to McLain Ward, competing in his final event before going to Tokyo for his fifth consecutive Olympic Games.
Ward finished the jump-off with four faults and a time of 38.602 seconds on Blossom Z.
Following the Grand Prix, Matz was presented the Richard & Diana Feldman Perpetual Trophy for Excellence for the best combined finishes in Lake Placid’s two Grand Prix events.
Earlier on Saturday, Laura Chapot rode Calafornia to the win in the $20,000 1.40m Jumper Stake while also placing third on Gideon.
Christian Coyle was second on Locato Van Het Kapelhof.
