Press release from Hampton Classic, edited by World of Showjumping

As the weekend competition continued to gear up for Grand Prix Sunday, Hampton Classic course designer Nick Granat did not take it easy on the 35 entries representing 13 countries in Saturday’s $62,500 CSI5* Winning Round. His technical 15-effort track set at 1.50m saw faults scattered all around, but in the end, Skylar Wireman (USA) had the winning formula with a margin of 1.55 seconds. 

The double-gold medalist from the 2025 Gotham North/North American Youth Jumping Championships (NAYC) presented by USHJA once more showcased her skill aboard NAYC partner Barclino B (Constanzehof's Barcley x Lasino), clinching the win with a faultless score of 39.58 seconds. 

Before Wireman and the 9-year-old Holsteiner gelding she co-owns with Shayne Wireman and the Wireman Investment Group returned for their winning round, the leaderboard’s top two spots were separated by just one hundredth of a second. Wireman had that time well in hand, blazing ahead of her fellow competitors for the win in 39.58 seconds. 

Argentina’s Luis Pedro Biraben stopped the clock in 41.13 seconds for second place aboard Georgina De Carles (Kannan x Quidam de Revel), a 9-year-old Selle Français mare he co-owns with Carlos Alvarez Del Castillo. Third went to American Spencer Smith for his 41.14-second time aboard Gotham Enterprizes LLC’s 15-year-old Australian Warmblood stallion Tulara Colmine (Colman x Quinar Z). 

“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 nine 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.”

In fourth place was 2024 Hampton Classic Grand Prix champion Rene Dittmer (GER), who posted a double-clear, 42.05-second score with Cerrin Döhle’s 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding Cody 139 (Casall x Quidam de Revel). Rounding out the top five was world no. 22 Shane Sweetnam (IRL), who tripped the timers in 42.09 seconds aboard his and Voquest LLC’s 9-year-old Zangersheide gelding Coriaan Van Klapscheut Z (Comme Il Faut x Lord Z). 

With 324 points, Wireman now leads the $20,000 Longines Rider Challenge for the CSI5* division, which will be awarded on Sunday following the $400,000 Longines Hampton Classic Grand Prix. World no. 8 McLain Ward (USA) has moved into second place with 248 points. Jessica Mendoza (GBR) 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, and I’m really excited to be here and watch the greats,” she added. “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.”