Alex Matz & Cashew CR Claim the Cash in the $31,500 Upperville Power & Speed Stakes CSI 4*

By Jumper News USA on June 11, 2025

Upperville, Virginia, United States — June 6, 2025 — International show jumping unfolded Thursday afternoon at the 172nd Upperville Colt & Horse Show, presented by MARS Equestrian™, as Alex Matz and Cashew CR sped to victory in the $31,500 Upperville Power & Speed Stakes CSI 4*, presented by Delta.

This two-phase class challenges horses and riders first in the “power” phase, where they must complete a technical course of fences without incurring jumping faults or exceeding the time allowed. A clear round immediately advances them to the “speed” phase — a race against the clock where precision and bold riding are key to landing atop the leaderboard. Set against the iconic vistas of Virginia’s hunt country, the course — designed by FEI course designer Nick Granat — demanded careful yet bold riding, and Matz answered the call to cross the finish in 28.63 seconds with zero jumping faults.

**Nayal Nassar** (EGY) & **Dorado de Riverland**

Egypt’s Nayal Nassar (EGY) rode Dorado de Riverland to second place, registering no penalties in 29.12 seconds.

Chloe Reid (USA) finished in third place aboard Chelsea 179, matching the clean scorecard of the other two highest-placed combinations, securing bronze honors in 29.65 seconds.

“My horse is so fast over the fences and across the ground,” said Matz, Coatesville, Pa. “We probably did the same number of strides as our competitors, maybe even more, but his natural speed is what made the difference.”

At 17-years-old, Cashew CR is a veteran of the sport and Matz is grateful for the Holsteiner’s zest for jumping and competing.

“He honestly loves to jump, and I think that’s the secret to his longevity. You’ll see that he’s calm in the warmup, but as soon as we go in the ring, he is a different sort of competitor,” he explained. “It’s a credit to Cashew’s mentality and I’m lucky to have him. I will continue to show him as long as he’s happy.”

As a son of Michael and Dorothy “DD” Matz, Alex and his two siblings Lucy and Robert come from strong showjumping roots. Michael achieved tremendous international success aboard horses such as Jet Run and Rhum IV before transitioning to training racehorses, including Gade I winners Barbaro and Union Rags. DD Matz is also an accomplished equestrian, known for her success in the Amateur Owner and Grand Prix classes, as well as her work in horse breeding.

The Matz family has been coming to Upperville “since before I can remember,” he laughed. “My dad jumped here and won the Grand Prix several times. He and my mom help me at home all the time. My mom rides Cashew most days at home, which is a credit to her; preparing him for me to jump and compete. Both my parents have influenced me greatly.”