Alex Matz & Omthago VDL Victorious in the $25,000 Devon Fall Classic Grand Prix

By Jumper News USA on September 18, 2026

Devon, Pennsylvania – September 12, 2026 – Saturday at the 13th annual Devon Fall Classic brought another memorable day to the iconic Devon Show Grounds, culminating with the final under-the-lights competition of the year. Spectators spent the day enjoying premier show jumping, shopping throughout Vendor Village, and family fun before gathering around the Dixon Oval for the highly anticipated $25,000 Devon Fall Classic Grand Prix, sponsored by Main Line Health / Bryn Mawr Hospital.

That confidence was on full display Saturday night as Pennsylvania native Alex Matz (USA) and Virginia McNeil’s Omthago VDL claimed the spotlight in the $25,000 Devon Fall Classic Grand Prix, sponsored by Main Line Health / Bryn Mawr Hospital, the final under-the-lights class of the 2026 Devon Fall Classic.

In front of an enthusiastic crowd in the Dixon Oval, 37 horse-and-rider combinations took on the course, with just four advancing to the jump-off. Matz and Omthago VDL ultimately delivered the evening’s only double-clear performance to claim top honors in the historic Dixon Oval.

Reflecting on Esparza’s course, Matz felt the track provided an appropriate test for the field.

“I thought tonight’s course was difficult enough,” he said. “There were only four clear out of 37, so it was challenging, but it was fair.”

Returning for the jump-off aboard Omthago VDL, Matz relied on the confidence he has developed in the young horse. The pair delivered another clear round, crossing the timers in 35.160 seconds to become the only combination of the evening to finish the Grand Prix without a fault.

“My horse gives me a lot of confidence,” Matz said. “He’s a wonderful horse. He’s inexperienced, but he’s always very competitive.”

The jump-off did not come without its challenges. Matz acknowledged that one turn did not unfold exactly as planned, but Omthago VDL responded when his rider needed him most.

“I didn’t have a great turn back to the double, but my horse really helped me there,” Matz said. “He’s an amazing fighter.”

The victory capped a memorable weekend for Matz and Omthago VDL and provided a fitting conclusion to the 2026 Devon Fall Classic’s competition under the lights in the historic Dixon Oval.