DECEMBER 2025 THE RIDER /3 Alex Matz Tops Royal Winning Round in Triumphant Toronto Send-off for Cashew CR


Toronto, Ontario – Alex Matz of the United States celebrated an emotional vic- tory in the $90,000 Royal Winning Round before an- nouncing the retirement of his longtime mount Cashew CR on Friday evening, No- vember 14, at the CSI5*-W Royal Horse Show, held as part of the Royal Agricul- tural Winter Fair in Toronto, ON.


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 vic- tory, writing the last chapter in their storied career to- gether. 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 re- tired. 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


Alex Matz of the United States announced the retirement of Cashew CR after they won the $90,000 Royal Winning Round on Friday, November 14, at the CSI5*-W Royal Horse Show in Toronto, ON. Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography


he would do more for us, but he doesn’t owe me any- thing.” 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 re- turned 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 sec- onds as the penultimate rider aboard Phelina de Sep- ton, owned by Canadian Olympian Mario Deslauri- ers.


Alex, however,


bumped Bluman down to second by nearly three sec- onds after crossing the timers in 36.96 seconds. Rene Dittmer of Germany jumped into third riding Echo vh Gerendal Z, 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 athleti- cism and speed that gave us the time. “Marky’s on a heck of


a run right now,” continued Alex of his fiercest compe- tition of the night. “He had


Colombia’s Mark Bluman riding Phelina de Septon, owned by Canadian Olympian Mario Deslauriers, finished as runner-up in the $90,000 Royal Winning Round at Toronto’s CSI5*-W Royal Horse Show. Photo by Ben Radvanyi Photography


a brilliant round, so I knew it would be tough to beat. Luckily, it went our way.” Nearly a decade to-


gether has given Alex and Cashew CR the advantage of knowing each other in- side 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.” Friday night spectators


were treated to breathtaking pre-show entertainment in the Coca-Cola Coliseum featuring world-renowned liberty performer and master trainer, Sylvia Zerbini and her magical team of Arabian horses. Zerbini is a ninth- generation circus artist who has performed in front of


over 10 million people worldwide with troupes that include Ringling Brothers, Cavalia, and her own pro- duction, Grande Liberté. To- gether with her horses, Zerbini treated horse-enthu- siasts and first-timers alike to a performance of eques- trian artistry that celebrated the power and grace of the horse.


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