Fellow U.S. rider McKayla Langmeier and Riesling van de Gaathoeve, a 9-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion (Iron Man vd Padenborre x Diamant de Semilly) owned by Rafferty Farm, did their best as the last to return, but came up short in 36.59 seconds. Finishing second, Langmeier was awarded the Martha Jolicoeur, Douglas Elliman Leading Lady Rider Award for WEF 11.

Ibrahim Barazi (JOR) rode 12-year-old stallion Joie De Vigo R.T. (Vigo d’Arsouilles Stx x Cassini I), owned in partnership between Maarten Driessen, Rene Hazeleger and Sofia Westborg, to third in 37.04 seconds.

“Junior is feeling phenomenal,” said Matz, who has had the ride on Junior Kannan for three years. “Today, he jumped even better in the jump-off than in the first round. I felt like I could really give it a go because of how he was jumping.

“This season, he’s been very consistent, I haven’t used him a lot because I did a lot with him last year, but I feel like he’s peaking at the right time,” continued Matz, who only piloted Junior Kannan in two international outings this season, including a top 10 finish during WEF 6.

“It was an advantage to be far down in the order today,” said Matz, son of 1996 U.S. Olympic team silver medalist Michael Matz. “I knew my horse was naturally fast, so I did the normal jump-off numbers and took a little bit of risk; I’d be competitive.”

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