BRIDGEHAMPTON, N.Y.--Skylar Wireman had her first FEI 5* victory on Saturday, Aug. 30 with a win in the $62,500 Winning Round class at the Hampton Classic.
Skyar Wireman on Barclino B (Photo by KindMedia)Wireman scored an impressive win, finishing 1.55 faster than second placed Luis Pedro Birabe of Argentina over a 1.50m course set by Nick Granat.
In the Winning Round format, of 35 entries, 10 were clean and two with one fault returned for the second round, all starting with zero vaults.
Wireman, the double-gold medalist from the 2025 North American Youth Jumping Championships finished clean inf 39.58 seconds in her first time at the Hampton Classic.a
Second and third were separated by just one hundredth of a second with Biraben clean in 41.13 seconds for second on Georgina De Carles, and Spencer Smith third in 41.14 seconds on Tulara Colmine.
“The goal was to shave off as many seconds as possible around every corner,” Wireman said. “I’ve had him for a little over a year now, and he is only 9, so still a little on the young side. I quickly learned he’s going to be a fantastic speed horse. He’s got a really good, natural ground speed which is very helpful. He also doesn’t spend a lot of time in the air. I know I can kind of turn into the jumps, and he’s right there with me.”
THE 2024 Hampton Classic Grand Prix winner, Rene Dittmer of Germany was fourth, clean in 42.05 seconds on Cody 139, and World #22 Shane Sweetnam of Ireland was fifth, clean in 42.09 seconds on Coriaan Van Klapscheut Z.
Neither World #1 Kent Farrington on Greya nor World # 8 McLain Ward on High Star Hero qualified for the second round, finishing 14th and 15th respectively.
With 324 points, Wireman now leads the $20,000 Rider Challenge for the FEI 5* division, which will be awarded on Sunday.
Ward is second with 248 points, and Jessica Mendoza of Great Britain is third with 195 points.
“The horses have been great every day here at the Classic,” Wireman said. “Yesterday I had a rail down in the Qualifier, but it was still a great finish. It’s really been a fantastic week, and I couldn’t ask for much more. The horses have been so amazing, and the week is so fun. Plus, this is a lovely ring to ride in."
“I’m riding Tornado in the Grand Prix tomorrow, and I’m really excited to be here and watch the greats,” she said. “The first day here, I watched McLain go and ride five strides in the last line of the speed phase. I thought I’d better do five if I wanted a chance to beat him, so I did. It’s just been amazing to watch all the top riders and learn from them.”
