At 17, the Holsteiner gelding (Cassini II x Quinar Z) owned by Alex’s mother, Dorothy A. Matz, carried the 29-year-old rider to victory, writing the last chapter in their storied career together.  Throughout their nine-year partnership, Alex and Cashew CR have amassed 47 international podium finishes together, including two CSI5*-W wins at last year’s Royal Horse Show.

“To have him go out on such a high note is really special; he’s a champion and he should go out with a win,” said Alex, son of 1996 U.S. Olympic team silver medalist Micheal Matz.  “We decided a couple of months ago that at the end of this year, he would be retired.  He’s given so much to me, the best that we can do for him is to give him a happy retirement where he’s sound and healthy.  I’m sure he would do more for us, but he doesn’t owe me anything.”

Both Alex’s mother and father were in the crowd, cheering on as Cashew CR scored his final win.

From Friday’s starting field, the 10 top pairs returned in reverse order of standing with a clean slate.  Continuing his Royal streak and staying true to his goal of finishing in the top five in every event, Colombia’s Mark Bluman (COL) set a blistering pace of 39.37 seconds as the penultimate rider aboard Phelina de Septon (Jenson van't meulenhof x Landor s), owned by Canadian Olympian Mario Deslauriers.

Alex, however, bumped Bluman down to second by nearly three seconds after crossing the timers in 36.96 seconds.  Rene Dittmer of Germany jumped into third riding Echo vh Gerendal Z (Echo van t spieveld x Jodokus), owned by Sky Group, on a time of 41.06 seconds over the course designed by fellow German Olaf Petersen, Jr.

“He’s naturally much faster than almost any other horse,” said Alex of where he caught Bluman’s time.  “He’s quick across the jumps as well.  I think it was a combination of his athleticism and speed that gave us the time.

“Marky’s on a heck of a run right now,” continued Alex of his fiercest competition of the night.  “He had a brilliant round, so I knew it would be tough to beat.  Luckily, it went our way.”

Nearly a decade together has given Alex and Cashew CR the advantage of knowing each other inside and out.

“He knows all my moves; he knows when I’m going to lean too much one way or the other way, and he figures it out,” he said.  “It’s a credit to how smart of a horse he is.”

While Cashew CR prepares to head for his favourite field at the Matz’s family farm in Coatesville, PA, Alex turns his focus to defending his 2024 title in the $280,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Toronto, presented by Ecclestone Horse Transport, on Saturday, November 15.