Career
He lives in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. As a trainer, he has scored two wins in the Classics, the 2012 Belmont Stakes (Union Rags) and the 2006 Kentucky Derby (Barbaro). Matz also was named "person of the week" by American Broadcasting Company News for his heroism in saving four children from the crash of United Airlines Flight 232 in 1989.
Matz had a highly successful equestrian career as a show jumping rider.
Matz was also chosen to carry the United States flag into Centennial Olympic Stadium at the Closing Ceremonies of the 1996 Games. He retired from show jumping as the leading money-winning rider in the sport"s American history, with over $1.7 million.
On April 1, 2006, Matz was inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame. He began to train Thoroughbreds in 1998, making race horse training his full-time profession after he failed to make the 2000 Olympic team
He trains at the Fair Hill Training Center, in Maryland.
Matz was chosen for the honor of carrying the flag at the 1996 Closing Ceremonies not only because of his illustrious career in the show ring, but also for an extraordinary act of heroism seven years before. They missed their connection from Denver to Philadelphia, and had a choice of two flights 20 minutes apart. They chose United Airlines Flight 232.
After a catastrophic engine failure that destroyed all of the plane"s hydraulic systems, the plane crashed at Sioux Gateway Airport in Sioux City, Iowa.
Although the crash claimed 111 lives, Matz not only survived, but led four young children to safety. He first led three siblings who were traveling alone to safety, and then went into the burning wreckage to save an 11-month-old girl.
He was named "Person of the Week" by American Broadcasting Company News for his heroism on Flight 232. Matz has remained in touch with the three siblings, who were at Churchill Downs on Derby Day 2006, and met with him during the run-up to the race.
