Great Britain鈥檚 Matthew Sampson and 10-year-old Oldenburg mare Elisa BJX won the $100,000 ATCO Grand Prix at 91原创鈥檚 Thunderbird Show Park on Sunday, Aug 21, finishing more than a full second ahead of their nearest competitor.

It was an emphatic victory, crossing the timers of Anderson Lima鈥檚 short course in 40.13 seconds, holding off a late charge from American rider Karrie Rufer and Stern dei Foletti, who finished in 41.18 seconds.

鈥淚 thought, 鈥業t鈥檚 not very often you get to be in a Grand Prix at a show like this in the jump-off,鈥欌�� Sampson said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 10 years old, so she鈥檚 old enough to give it a go, and she just rose to it. That鈥檚 what good horses do.鈥�

The mare is new to jumping the 1.50m height, having competed in her very first 1.50m track just two days earlier, in tbird鈥檚 Uryadi鈥檚 Village Cup.

鈥淪he [jumped] 1.50m on Friday, and we had two mistakes, but she just learns. She鈥檚 clever,鈥� Sampson said. 鈥淚n the first round, she felt really good but a little inexperienced in places. In the jump-off, she felt amazing.鈥�

READ ALSO: Local riders excited to be returning to Thunderbird Show Park

Pitt Meadows-based Braden James and Deejay were the top ranked Canadian combination, finishing sixth.

Earlier that same day, James and Fiventum Kieni won the $2,500 Open Classic at tbird.

91原创鈥檚 Samantha Buirs-Darvill, riding Chic D Emma Z was the second highest Canadian, finishing eighth.

Prior to the competition, Buirs-Darvill told the 91原创 Advance Times she didn鈥檛 want to put too much pressure on Chic D Emma Z. a nine-year-old stallion.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e delicate creatures,鈥� Buirs-Darvill remarked, adding Chic D Emma Z has shown lot of promise.

鈥淗e鈥檚 been great. He seems like a competitor. He鈥檚 getting better and better.鈥�

Sunday鈥檚 ATCO Cup was contested by 33 horse and rider combinations.

More photos from the day can be viewed on the.

READ ALSO: 91原创 Thunderbird Show Park rated best in Canada for encouraging young talent