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Alex Matz and Cashew CR pose with family after winning the Richard M. Feldman Grand Prix at Lake Placid on Sunday. (Business photo – Parker O’Brien)
LAKE PLACID – Like father, like son.
Alex Matz, the son of 1992 Lake Placid Grand Prix champion and Show Jumping Hall of Fame member Michael Matz, was crowned 2021 Grand Prix champion Richard M. Feldman at the Lake Placid Horse Show on Sunday.
“I think it made him very happy”, Matz said. “He devoted a lot of time, just like my mother, to supporting me. Giving back is really important to me.
Matz, 24, led Cashew CR to victory. The pair were the first of 11 first-round entries to go flawless on the 15-jump course, which qualified them for the play-off tie-breaker.
“Cashew” was one of four horses Matz rode in the Grand Prix and the only horse he rode that qualified for the jump-off.
“I think we’ve been together longer” Matz said. “He’s super talented but he gives everything he can every time and he wants to win more than almost any other horse I’ve ridden. He’s just a fantastic horse and can’t say enough good things about him.
The tiebreaker was a shortened version of the first round, with an eight-jump course. Matz was the first to start the tiebreaker, clocking 36.860 seconds clear. He waited until others fell short as he was finally crowned champion.
“I’m a little shocked” Matz said. “It’s sinking in now and I’m just thrilled. “
The victory marked the first Lake Placid Grand Prix of Matz’s short career. Matz won $ 30,000 for the win over the combined $ 100,000, which was split based on ranking among the top 12 entries.
“It’s very special to have a lot of friends and family here”, Matz said. “I’ve been close to Cashew a few times this summer so he really deserved to win and I’m just glad I got the win for him. He’s the one who did it. “
Laura Chapot, two-time Lake Placid Grand Prix champion, took second place on Diarado’s Flying Dutchman. Diarado’s Flying Dutchman was one of Chapot’s two horses she rode. Chapot won $ 24,000 combined from the two entries.
Jonathan Corrigan was the only rider to qualify for the tiebreaker as he took third place over Super Chilled and sixth place over Loughnavatta Indigo. The two entries brought Corrigan $ 18,000.
The Grand Prix marked the end of the Lake Placid Horse Show which is followed by the weeklong I Love New York Horse Show which begins today.
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