Michael Matz
On January 23, 1951, Michael R. Matz was born in Pennsylvania, beginning a life that would become closely tied to horses across two distinct professional roles.
Matz worked as a show jumper, competing in a discipline that demands precise coordination between rider and horse. That career as a competitor formed the first chapter of his professional life in the equestrian world. He later moved into a second, separate role as a horse trainer, a occupation that placed him on the other side of the horse's development and preparation rather than in the saddle as a competitor.
Holding citizenship in the United States, Matz spent his career operating within two different branches of the horse world — show jumping and training. His having worked seriously in both capacities as a show jumper and as a trainer marks the broad outline of a career that spanned more than one corner of equestrian life.
Quotes by Michael Matz
All his races, he's been right off the pace and has been able to keep himself out of trouble. Whether he can do that in a 20-horse field, I don't know.
The man sitting beside me was asking (about the races), so I was trying to explain it when one of the engines went, plus the hydraulics. After that, it was sort of every man for himself.
He's the real deal. I think I have a very good horse. He's the type of horse that gives me that confidence he can do it. My job right now is to do the very best I can for him. One thing that's different from my Olympic experience, I was on the horse and had to do it myself. I have no control once the race starts now.
If people wouldn't try to cheat, this would never happen. I don't want to be starting here when the other guy is starting up there.
That's everyone's concern. In a 20-horse field, you can get knocked out before you get to the first turn. Nothing you can do about that.
So far, he's answered everything that's been asked of him. I'm sure sooner or later he's going to get beat, but it hope it's later rather than sooner.
I try not to think about it. The times you think about it are when you are on a plane and you hit some turbulence and you hope it doesn't happen again. Right now, you can't help but get on airplanes and fly. I'm just thankful my wife and I were OK. Then, you go on with life. You can't use that as a crutch not to do anything.