Ayla Martinoff and Calloway. Photo ©tbird/Quinn Saunders
Langley, BC — Ayla Martinoff (CAN) wore many hats in Saturday’s Emily Sandhack Open Classic 1.35m at the 2023 April Season Opener. With two mounts in the class, she was not just the rider, trainer and owner. She also bred both horses, including her winning mount, 9-year-old Calloway.
In Calloway’s first show since October, the grey showed little rust in besting a five-horse jump-off, as Martinoff strategized a plan that best suited her small-but-mighty 16-hand Holsteiner gelding. Their winning time was 39.8 seconds. Sarah Lottis (CAN) and Zaza Z finished second (39.91 seconds), with Jaehee Jeon (KOR) and Bless You BFE third (42.51 seconds).
“I didn’t take him to California [this winter], so it was nice to bring him out and get going like that!” Martinoff exclaimed. “It was a really nice course and stout enough for the season opener.
“I went first in the jump-off, and my friend Sarah [Lottis] was just behind me,” she added. “I knew I had to go fast with her in the class!”
Calloway’s full sister, 7-year-old A Crown Royale, also jumped the class, with just a single rail down in the mare’s first ever 1.35m competition. Both horses are out of A Little Bit 5 and by Corinne Super’s stallion, Capone 1. Martinoff came to know sire and dam through her work in the industry.
“I was a working student at Fairway Farms [in Langley] and got to ride [the mother] for a few years,” Martinoff recalled. “My dad put windows in the barn in exchange for her, and they gave her to me.
“The sire,” she continued, “is Capone 1, who is owned by Corinne Super. I did a bunch of riding for her and worked off the semen.”
Capone 1 has become a popular stallion at Martinoff Equestrian, where Ayla works alongside her younger sister, Kaylie Martinoff. The farm is family owned, and the sisters’ grandmother continues to live onsite. Vivre Martinoff celebrated her 100th birthday in November.
“We’re 20 minutes down the road from tbird,” Ayla said. “We’re here for every show.”
Martinoff has goals to jump CSI2* competition with Calloway this year, and she’s grateful for the extra opportunities she’s been afforded after receiving a George and Dianne Tidball Legacy Foundation Riding Scholarship for the 2023 show season. Awarding a $1,000 Cash Riding Bursary, waived stall and entry fees, VIP passes and more, the prestigious scholarship is awarded annually to “individuals who exemplify hard work, dedication to the sport of equestrian, good sportsmanship, philanthropy, and leadership.”
“That has been absolutely wonderful for the first four days that I’ve had it!” Martinoff said. “It’s amazing to have a VIP Timberframe pass, and it’s been really great to not have the pressure to pay my show bill. I think I ride better like that!”
$2,500 Emily Sandhack Realty Open Classic 1.35m Place / Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Faults / Time
Calloway / Ayla Martinoff / CAN / Ayla Martinoff / 0/0 39.8
Zaza Z / Sarah Lottis / CAN / Kevin Lottis / 0/0 39.91
Bless You BFE / Jaehee John / KOR / Brother Fortune Equestrian Ltd / 0/0 42.51
Cassius Z / Gareth Graves / CAN / Jillian Halina / 0/0 43.36
Comme Tu Veux Z / Ashley Papalia / CAN / Ashley Papalia / 0/8 45.03
A Crown Royale / Ayla Martinoff / CAN / Ayla Martinoff / 4 72.49
Jolie / Gareth Graves / CAN / Jillian Halina / 4 73.24
Icone FP / Alexander Grayton / CAN / Spruce Meadows Ltd / 8 74.69
Ecolano vs Romano / Georgia Knight / CAN / Georgia Knight / 27 101.2