Edited press release from the National Horse Show 

International show jumping competition made its debut at the 2023 National Horse Show (NHS) on Thursday, November 2nd. Welcoming some of the world’s top show jumping athletes and their mounts, the CSI4*-W designated competition featured a star-studded lineup of 29 horse-and-rider pairs. At the conclusion of the two rounds, it was Rene Dittmer (GER) and Corsica X (Connor x Corofino II) who secured the top spot in the spectacle class of the day, winning the $73,800 International Welcome Stake 1.50m, presented by North Star. 

Course designer Alan Wade’s (IRE) 12-effort track proved troublesome for the first few pairs in the Alltech, as spectators did not see a clear round until the 8th combination in the order, Katherine Dinan (USA) and Dijon Terdoorn Z (Diamant de Semilly x Lord Z). Jad Dana (LBN) and Caro W (Castelan II x Aragorn) forced a jump-off three rides later. At the conclusion of the first portion of the class, there were a total of nine qualified riders who advanced to the jump-off.

Mark Bluman (COL) and Blue Star Investments and Over The Top Stables LLC’s Ubiluc (Ubiko x Lucian), an 11-year-old Mecklenburg Stallion, set the time to beat in the jump-off posting the first clear with a time of 27.36 seconds. Coming into the ring shortly after was Dittmer and Mark Miness’s Corsica X, a 10-year-old Holsteiner mare. Dittmer, who has been on a winning streak throughout the indoor season, left it all in the Alltech Arena, besting Bluman for the lead with a final time of 27.07 seconds ultimately securing the first-place position.  

“I got her about one and a half years ago,  and we started slowly starting in the 1.30s. And then, this year, she really made her way up and it could not have gone better.” said Dittmer about his partnership with Corsica X.

Bluman secured the second-place finish with his speedy, clear round. Rounding out the podium was Brian Moggre (USA) and Mager Wager LLc’s MTM Vivre le Reve (Ustinov x Chello II), a 14-year-old Westphalian gelding. Moggre went last in the order and finished clear with a time of 28.38 seconds. 

The Alltech Arena saw not just one, but two FEI classes on the first day of jumper competition. Kicking off the day, the 140th National Horse Show saw a field of 24 horse-and-rider pairs vie for a chance to win the $38,700 international two phase 1.45m. Of the competitive roster, Alex Matz (USA) and Cashew CR (Cassini II x Quinar Z) earned their place in the first FEI winner’s circle of the weekend.

Alan Wade (IRE) set forth a 9-obstacle first-phase track, testing athletes’ power through the technical course. Those who navigated a clear effort would advance to the 6-fence power phase in a race against the clock that would determine the top spots on the leaderboard.

Setting the pace with the first double-clear effort was Matz, who went third in the order-of-go. The duo navigated their way around the first phase to a fault-free finish for their shot at the second phase, stopping the clocks in 25.98 seconds and setting the time to beat. Although many competitors pushed the limits and tried to beat Matz’s time, no one was able to do so. Cashew owned by Dorothy A. Matz, a 15-year-old Holsteiner gelding, not only had the speed but also the agility to take home the blue ribbon. 

“We got him when he was eight, and so I’ve ridden him for the last seven years, and I feel like he knows me better than any other horse, maybe any other person,” said Matz about his partnership with Cashew CR.

Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen (USA) was the next competitor to enter the ring on Serenity Farm’s mount, Forever SFN (Azteca VDL x Non Stop), a 13-year-old KWPN gelding. This horse-and-rider combination gave it their all throughout the course and finished with a time of 26.07 seconds. Rounding out the top three was Aaron Vale (USA) and I. Adermie R 4 (Den Ham Blue R x Namelus R) owned by Thinkslikeahorse. This pair went 11th in the order and finished with a fault-free time of 26.20 seconds.