BRIDGEHAMTON, N.Y.--Alexa Elle Lignell on XO Onermie won the $10,000, 1.40m Open Jumper at the 50th annual Hampton Classic on Tuesday, Aug. 26, beating Skylar Wireman on Citoki.
Alexa Elle Lignelli on XO Onermie (Photo by KindMedia)Lignelli and Wireman were two of the podium finishers from the 2025 North American Youth Jumping Championships, with 20-year-old Wireman the double-gold medalist and 18-year-old e Lignelli the double-silver medalist.
At the Hampton Classic, Lignelli, clean in 60.386, won over Wireman, and longtime class leader Jessica Mendoza of Great Britain was third.
Thirty-three entries representing nine countries competed over Nick Granat’s speed course.
Ninth to go in the order, Mendoza and her first mount, Bullseye 111 Z, set the time to beat at 60.749 seconds.
It wasn’t until the final few rides that anyone came within a second of that time, with Lignelli finishing in 60.386 seconds.
“I HAVEN'T had this partnership with my horse for a long time, but I feel like I’ve known her forever,” Lignelli said. “Today, we really focused on the track and holding my body up and letting her jump to me. It was really about being tidy everywhere and letting her do her thing. We’ve had a lot of success together, so I really trust her."
“Jessica always goes fast; she always sets the bar high,” she said. “I view her as a benchmark that I need to meet. It was really great to watch her go earlier and have help from my trainers to take the win.”
Last to go, Wireman finished in 60.626 seconds to place second, with Mendoza third.
“I’m so passionate about representing the U.S. in this sport,” Lignelli said. “It’s something I’ve dreamed about since I was little. I have a great string of horses right now that I have confidence in, and I’m confident about my team and everyone that surrounds me. My parents have given me everything I could wish for in creating these opportunities, but it’s hard work all around.”
