Ayla Martinoff took first place at the Maui Jim Grand Prix on Saturday, Sept. 14, at Thunderbird Show Park (tbird) with the only double clear that day. In addition to the prize money, she also won a new pair of Maui Jim sunglasses. 

"I've never won sunglasses before, so I'm really stoked!" Martinoff exclaimed. 

Only two pairs mastered the 1.45m first round course to advance to the jump off, and it was two podium regulars in Martinoff on A Crown Royale and Sarah Lottis with Rhapsody. In the end, only Martinoff managed the elusive double clear. 

Aldergrove's Kassidy Keith placed third alongside Havana with four faults and a time of 82.4 seconds. 

鈥淚 thought the triple combination [in the first round] was a little bit quiet with not a lot going on. So I thought, get super straight and be very steady there,鈥� she explained.

For Martinoff, managing the jump off meant managing her horse鈥檚 stride and her own expectations.

鈥淢y strategy was to not knock one down, but still ride forward enough to not knock down,鈥� she continued, noting that the pair had a lacklustre performance in Calgary the week prior.

鈥淲e were at Spruce Meadows last week and we jumped in the 1.30ms and I did not have a clear round. I don鈥檛 know if she was a little under impressed or what. It was really good experience, we got a ribbon. But it was frustrating. And then we came here and I switched the bit [to a full cheek snaffle] and that felt so good. So I think [it was] just the experience of going so forward on the grass [at Spruce Meadows] and then coming back here and just being a bit more impressed with the bigger jumps.鈥�

The pair crossed the timers in a conservative 46.18 seconds but most importantly left all the rails in the cups.

Martinoff and A Crown Royale have had a spectacular season at tbird jumping to 8 podium finishes to date in 2024. 

Saturday's win also marked redemption for the 91原创-based rider, who had attempted the Maui Jim Grand Prix about 15 years ago, but it hadn't gone to plan then. 

Now, this grand prix was the pair's biggest win of the season. 

Next, they鈥檒l attempt to do one better in the CSI2* division at the BCHJA Fall Finale, the final week of international competition at tbird this year.

But keep an eye out for her expanding homebred string at tbird in 2025.

鈥淸A Crown Royale] actually has a baby coming up next year 鈥� a four year old by [Tracey Epp鈥檚] Chicago.鈥�