Matt came over to the UK from Marion Hughes’ yard and the end of 2018, where he was bred and pure show jumped. He is sired by one of Marion’s own stallions, Can ya Makan, and out of one of Marion’s Cavalier mares who jumped to a good level herself.
Matt has the potential to be very competitive in all three phases, proving very straightforward and genuine to ride across the disciplines. He has a natural balance and ability in the dressage which the judges always seem to favour. He has fast turned into Kate’s favourite horse to show jump and seems to be a real natural on the cross country, being one of the best horses Kate has ridden into all types of combinations in particular.
Matt is another horse who progressed extensively through 2019, having gone from BE90 level to CCI-S3* level with ease; he jumped double clear and placed at Novice level, finished just outside the rosettes at his first International, Burgham CCI-S2*, and easily upgraded to Intermediate level. Despite his little experience, he placed in the top 20 at the National 7YO Championships and successfully completed his first three day event to round the 2019 season off. In February 2020, Matt gained some brilliant experience jumping in Spain and reaped the rewards throughout the 2020 eventing season with some excellent jumping rounds. He placed at his first Intermediate run of 2020 and had a great run around his first Advanced in the summer. This genuine horse finished just outside the money in several CCI-S3* events to round the 2020 season off slightly early, due to Kate’s second pregnancy. In 2021, Matt jumped double clear and finished in the rosettes at several CCI-S3* events and despite his low mileage, he finished in the top 20 at his first 4* in the summer. He put in a very respectable performance at the prestigious 8/9YO 4* class at Blenheim Palace, proving class on the cross country, and rounded off the season cruising around Osberton’s CCI-L3*.
Matt is all set for a very exciting and competitive season in 2022. Having already placed at Intermediate level and stormed around Chatsworth CCI-S4* this spring, he will work towards his first CCI-L4* at Bramham Park, before Blenheim Palace later in the year.
