Amenia, United States – October 10, 2025 – The Archers climbed their way to the top of the podium in the $262,500 ClipMyHorse.Tv Team Competition CSI 5* during Major League Show Jumping (MLSJ) Leg 5 at the Highlands Cup on Friday.
The team roster listed Alex Matz (USA), Callie Schott (USA) and Nicola Philippaerts (BEL) with team Manager John Madden choosing Matz aboard steadfast partner Cashew CR as the medal round rider.
Sitting second after round one, Schott and Philippaerts put in their best efforts with Ironix and H&M Que Sera, respectively, to earn their team a spot in the gold medal jump-off.
The reins were then passed to Matz, who relied on his horse’s experience and natural speed to get the job done.
“My horse is naturally fast, so I felt confident that if I rode my round he would be tough to beat,” said Matz, who recently returned from representing the United States at the League of Nations™ Final in Barcelona. “He jumped well in the first round, so I thought: ‘be fast but not reckless.’”
Matz faced off against Natalie Dean (USA) for the Trelawny Trailblazers aboard Oasis van de Bucxtale, and stopped the clock at 42 seconds flat. The Trailblazers were sitting on a fault-free day, but Dean suffered a rail on the ground in the medal match to settle the Trailblazers in second. She was joined on the podium by fellow American teammates Lillie Keenan (USA) and Charlotte Jacobs (USA).
The bronze medal was determined in a jump-off between Leg 1 winners Helios and current overall standings leaders Maccabi United. Fielded by Daniel Bluman (ISR), Ilan Bluman (COL) and Gabriel de Matos (BRA), Maccabi retained their no. 1 position with another podium finish.
Maccabi United and returning champions Trelawny Trailblazers are still doing battle at the top of the season standings with a 13 point lead for Maccabi. View current standings here.
Returning Archers Philippaerts and Schott welcomed newcomer Matz and brought strong team camaraderie this week. “It was nice to have [Nicola] as part of the team again, and Alex and I have been teammates for a while,” Schott explained of their team dynamic. “It’s nice to talk through the rounds and get each other’s support and opinions on the course.”
A four-time member of the Belgian squad at Nations Cup™ Finals, Philippaerts is accustomed to the pressure of team competition and is pleased to be back stateside to compete in this unique team event.
“I think it’s a great experience,” he said of MLSJ. “I’m very happy to be back here in America and it was a great first show [with the Archers] today. I think the team spirit is great. We have great horses, great riders, great people, and John [Madden] is a very good manager. I’m always very happy to come back over here and join the Archers.”
Pedro Torres, Event Director at Highlands Cup, was pleased with the way the first team event at the inaugural show played out, saying, “It is an honor to be able to do this, and we have an amazing team,” he remarked. “Two months ago, there was nothing here but tents. It’s an amazing feeling to see what’s being created, and we’re excited about what we can do in the future. We’re looking at how we can make it better, how we can grow it, and bring the sport to the Northeast and keep all these guys here.”
Final Results – $262,500 ClipMyHorse.Tv Team Competition CSI 5*
1) Archers
2) Trelawny Trailblazers
3) Maccabi United
Source: Press Release from Major League Show Jumpin
Photos: © MLSJ / Meraki Creative Group
