DD and Michael Matz
The Plantation Field International Three-Day Event kicks off this Thursday, September 19 with dressage for the CCI2-S and CCI3-S divisions in the Main Arena. The CCI4-S and CCI1-S divisions begin on Friday with dressage, and all divisions continue with show jumping and cross country on Saturday and Sunday. Refer to online schedule for division times.
Three of the four riders who represented the United States at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris will be competing in the CCI4-S: Boyd Martin, Will Coleman, and Caroline Pamukcu. Last year’s 4* winner Ariel Grald will also return to defend her title.
Every year at the Plantation Field International, the Board recognizes “Unionville Equestrian Legends” – outstanding members of our local equestrian community. This year, they have selected legendary couple DD and Michael Matz, of Coatesville, who will be honored at Brunch on Sunday, sponsored by The National Bank of Malvern, in the VIP tent overlooking the show jumping in the Main Arena. Notable in the both the show jumping and racing industries, Michael and DD own Buck and Doe Farm and are parents to six children: Michelle, Michael Jr., Lucy, Alex, Robert, and Arthur Matz.
Michael R. Matz is an American race horse trainer and member of the 1976, 1992 and 1996 US Olympic show jumping teams. He was chosen to carry the United States flag into Centennial Olympic Stadium at the Closing Ceremonies of the 1996 Games, in recognition of the heroism he showed during the crash of United Flight 232, where he returned to the plane to rescue the four children seated beside him. He has also medaled at multiple World Championships, World Cups, and Pan Am Games. Given his illustrious career as a rider, he was inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame on April 1, 2006. As a racehorse trainer, he has secured two wins in the Triple Crown, including the 2012 Belmont Stakes with Union Rags and the 2006 Kentucky Derby with Barbaro.
DD Matz is also an accomplished equestrian who made a name for herself in the Amateur Owner ring, and won her first show jumping Grand Prix in Wellington in 1991. Her grandfather is the late Robert Kleberg, founder of the legendary King Ranch, which covers more than 825,000 acres. He produced 1946 Triple Crown winner Assault as well as Middleground, winner of the 1950 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. DD has devoted her professional life to breeding and racing thoroughbreds. She has served as chair of the capital campaign of the Upland Country Day School in Unionville, on the board of trustees at Foxcroft School, as a trustee and officer of the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation, and currently serves as an officer and trustee of the Brandywine River Museum and Conservancy.
Tickets to the Ringside Brunch hosted by the National Bank of Malvern include full day general admission and access to the Sponsor Tent, and may be purchased in advance here:
https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/bfd0f1d8-e745-49ec-acbe-97ee73f4fd9f
