WELLINGTON, Fla--Alex Matz on Cashew CR won the $39,000, CSIO4* Challenge Cup at the Winter Equestrian Festival on Thursday, March 2.
Alex Matz on Cashew CR (Photo by Sportfot)“I knew I had a naturally fast horse, and the track was proving to be quite difficult, so I did one to two in eight strides and I thought if I did that I would establish a good rhythm and then just get to take-off spots balanced and let him do the rest,” said Matz of the horse he has ridden for eight years. “I feel like I know him like the back of my hand. He is a true winner, and he fights like no other horse I’ve ever ridden.”
Matz, 26, posted a blistering time of 67.07 seconds over Anthony D'Ambrosio’s course, beating the rest by more than six full seconds.
Canada’s Amy Millar on Christiano placed second in 73.35 seconds, and Margie Goldstein-Engle on Dicas was third in 73.37 seconds.
“I told my parents earlier that I could have a 105-degree temperature and really not feel like riding, go in there and he would do it for me,” said Matz, son of 1986 World Champion Michael Matz. “He’s very careful and very competitive, so I know if I give him a chance then I will be very competitive.”
THE CSIO4* Nations Cup is featured March 4 during ‘Saturday Night Lights’.
“I think WEF has done a great job of putting on world-class shows and Nations Cup week is a huge week, so to come out and win, hopefully I can keep the ball rolling and keep up this momentum,” said Matz.
Luke Jensen won the $10,000 Hermes U25 Welcome on Thursday on Fayuri AWR.
Jensen on Fayuri AWR finished clean in the jump-off in 56.09 seconds.
Second went to Zoe Conter of Belgium on Lazy, finishing in 59 seconds flat, and third was Sofia Cady on ZG Bella. 61.8 seconds.
“He’s such a sharp and careful horse, and he’s very attentive; paying attention to what’s going on and you can tell he’s excited to jump," said Jensen. "He’s a fast horse, which we took advantage of today and it paid off.”
This is a relatively new partnership that began early January,
“He’s extremely attentive, and sharp, he’s always watching the jumps and reading them with you," said Jensen. "He’s always looking for the next jump.”
This marks Jensen’s second year participating in Hermès U25 division.
“it’s been super being a part of the U25 series and I was lucky to have two in the class today, so it’s been a great experience and it’s been a super fun class so far for me," he said.”
On Friday evening, 64 competed in the $39,000 Under 25 Semi-Final Grand Prix, with seven clean to make the jump-off.
Third to go in te jump-off, Ireland’s Max Wachman was the first clean, finishing in 40.31 seconds, but Sheer Levitin, next to go on Vitus K shaved over two seconds off the clock as she clocked in at 38.67 seconds.
“He is unconventional in the way he goes, and I don’t think he is everyone’s ride,” she said of the tiny but mighty 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding. “It’s been a process getting to know each other; I’m super confident in him and I know no matter what I do he will try his hardest for me.”
Vitus K has been a game-changing mount for Levitin, who said that she was only competing in the medium amateur-owner jumper division when Kent Farrington found the gelding for her.
“My goal in this division this year was to be overall top five, and I was hoping to get a top placing in a grand prix, so this has already surpassed my goal,” Levitin said. “When I walked the course, I was initially a bit nervous because I haven’t done a night class since last summer. I was most worried about the six strides to the five strides with the double because it was a bit forward, and I had a very similar line down two weeks ago in another class. Once I got past that, I wasn’t too concerned.”
Wachman on Fancy de Kergunewas the only other clean in the jump-off to place second, and Summer Hillon on La Belle SCF was the fastest of two with four faults to place third with four faults in 40.73 seconds to beat Caitlyn Connors, four faults in 41.27 seconds, was fourth.
