Press release from Hampton Classic, edited by World of Showjumping

Great Britain’s Jessica Mendoza created a self-fulfilling prophecy with her mount In The Air (Air Jordan x Indoctro) on Sunday, soaring to victory in the CSI5* $400,000 Longines Hampton Classic Grand Prix with one of only two-double clear scores in 37.34 seconds. This marks Mendoza’s first five-star win. 

Celebrating 50 years of world-class equestrian competition in 2025, the Hampton Classic Horse Show took place in Bridgehampton, NY, August 24-31, featuring CSI5* and CSI2* show jumping and USEF Premier hunter competitions with more than $1 million in prize money. 

Hampton Classic and its longtime partners reminisced on 50 years of world-class equestrian tradition before opening the gates for the 39 horse-and-rider combinations representing 14 countries in the $400,000 Longines Hampton Classic CSI5* Grand Prix. Nick Granat’s highly technical course featured 17 total jumping efforts set at 1.60m, proving to be quite the challenge as the class went on. American Kristen Vanderveen was the first to pass the test without fault aboard Bull Run’s Jireh (Uriko x Colman), but it took another 17 trips before Mendoza guaranteed the spectators a jump-off. World no. 22 Shane Sweetnam (IRL) was the only other rider to join them riding James Kann Cruz (Kannan x Cruising). 

“I knew today was going to be very difficult, and with the seated order based off Friday’s qualifier, that we had to wait for a clear round,” Granat said. “I was really pleased with the class and the jump-off. There is always pressure to have some clears; everyone wants to see a jump-off. I was happy we were able to give them one.” 

Vanderveen and Bull Run Jumpers Inc.’s 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding took a risk while setting the time to beat in the tiebreaker course, but the final fence fell to put them on a four-fault score and leave the door open for their fellow competitors. Mendoza immediately followed with her double-clear score in 37.34 seconds aboard the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare she co-owns with Georgia Kipp, Kristi Mitchem, Mellissa Skowlund and Pernilla Amman, which ultimately secured her first CSI5* win. 

Sweetnam and his and Gizmo Partners LLC’s 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding landed in second place with their faultless time of 37.90 seconds, dropping Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Jireh into third. 

“It’s a pretty amazing win,” Mendoza said. “This is one of the best American shows. It’s truly amazing to be here and to win the Grand Prix. It’s always fun to go into the jump-off with the top three; you don’t have much to lose. I knew there was a bit of room where Shane could catch me, but my mare was perfect across the ground. She’s an incredible horse and had an incredible summer. She really found herself this year.” 

“I was very happy with my horse,” Sweetnam said. “He’s a very different horse (from Jessica’s). He spends a bit of time in the air and is a bit of a slower horse, so I did my plan close enough to what I thought would be enough to challenge. He jumped great. In hindsight, I could have taken a few more gambles.”

“It’s definitely special to have this big of a crowd and a long lead-up to a clear round,” Vanderveen said. “It was cool to be the first clear. My horse was quite fresh, but he was great today. I went into the jump-off thinking not to go too forward because he’s a naturally fast horse. In hindsight, I could have really gone for it and been a bit more competitive, but I’m really happy with how he was today.” 

Along with the winner’s share of the $400,000 purse, Mendoza received a Longines timepiece and bottles of wine from Wölffer Estate. Professional groom Lina Karlsson, who cares for In The Air, received $500 from Aden Brook for her hard work keeping the horse healthy and ready to compete. 

This victory also earned Mendoza the $20,000 Longines Rider Challenge for the CSI5* division, which awarded a $20,000 bonus and a second Longines timepiece. She finished the week with a total of 395 points. Sweetnam earned second with 355 points, while Skylar Wireman (USA) took third with 324 points.