Written by: Lenore Brown-Phillips
Client: David Matisz
Release Date: 2017-03-08
Wellington, Fla. – March 8, 2017 – Hungarian grand prix rider David Matisz found great success last week at both the inaugural Deeridge Derby Weekend event and the Winter Equestrian Festival. At both prestigious locations, Matisz piloted his mounts to top finishes.
On Saturday, Matisz piloted Blixten, owned by Agneta Curry, to the win in the $2,500 1.30m Jumper class. Although Matisz had not originally planned to show during the Deeridge Derby Weekend, his mentor and friend, Olympic athlete Joe Fargis, called him and asked him to help with his few horses. Fargis’ second horse, Last Dance, took home second place in the 1.20m Jumper class and second place the following day in the 1.25m Jumping Derby, with Matisz aboard.
“Blixten and Last Dance are both in training with Joe Fargis. I rode Blixten several years ago when I worked for Joe, and competed him in the East Coast Six Year Old Young Jumper Finals at Princeton, so I am familiar enough with him to ride straight into the ring and be competitive. He is a really special horse who has made a lot of progress and we had a super round.” Ssaid Matisz.
Matisz was also familiar with Last Dance, having competed him to 1.40m at WEF two years ago while he was still working for Fargis. “Last Dance is a very competitive horse and always gives his best effort at every jump. It was really nice to have the ride for the week on these two competitive horses from a really top program,” remarked Matisz.
“It was my first time showing at Deeridge Farms,” commented Matisz. “The footing was great, the jumps were top quality and the people were professional and welcoming, I really enjoyed the whole experience. Its really wonderful to have an opportunity to be able to show at a different facility, while still being convenient enough to have horses showing at WEF.”
On Thursday, Matisz rode Calido Son, owned by client Donna Gumbin, to a second place finish in the 6-year-old class at WEF. The pair also finished in the fourth place spot during the 6-year-old qualifying class on Friday.
“Calido is a really exceptional young horse,” explained Matisz. “This week was the first time that he entered the division this season, and he really exceeded our expectations by being so competitive. I am really happy with him.”
During Week Nine of WEF, Matisz is planning to continue to show his young horses, while also coaching clients in the amateur divisions.
Matisz blends his knowledge and passion for equestrian sports with a straightforward teaching approach to create a training program geared to the achievement of quantifiable personal goals. Matisz also frequently imports ready to go, amateur friendly hunters and jumpers.
