$150,000 Hermès CSI4* 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Final during the penultimate week of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) at Wellington International. From a field bursting with international talent, Alex Matz (USA) sealed the deal with longtime partner Cashew CR from a 15-horse jump-off with less than a half a second to spare. After a season of consistent placings, fellow American, Spencer Smith, claimed the Hermès 1.50m Championship Jumper Series overall title.
Fifty qualified entries moved forward to the Hermès Final during the KASK sponsored WEF 11 over courses designed by Andy Christiansen (ECU). Highlighted by 12 weeks of consecutive FEI competition, WEF continues through March 30 in Wellington, FL.
Matz and Cashew CR, a 17-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Cassini II x Quinar Z) owned by his mother, Dorothy A. Matz, raced down the last line of the short course to pip Ireland’s Jordan Coyle riding For Gold, owned by Falkirk Farm. Matz stopped the clock at 35.31 seconds to Coyle’s 35.68. Nayel Nassar (EGY) claimed third aboard Igor van de Wittemoere in 36.15 seconds.
Alex Matz, son of 1996 U.S. Olympic team silver medalist Micheal Matz, says every class on Cashew CR is a blessing.
“He is such a competitor and shows up at the biggest moments; he loves competing at night in front of a crowd,” said Alex. “It's a testament primarily to him, but also to the team behind me that has him in such good shape.
“I saw Jordan Coyle go—he had a great round—and Nayel was behind me, but I knew that Cashew naturally has ground speed,” continued Matz, 28. “If I rode my plan, I knew I had a chance, and it played out.”
Cashew CR’s groom, Caesar Gonzalez, was presented with the $500 Grooms Award by Double H Farm for his care and preparation of the horse for the evening’s final.
Complete results from the $150,000 Hermès CSI4* 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Final can be found HERE.
