The past six months have been defining for California native Skylar Wireman. She continued a win streak on Thursday in the $62,480 BrainJuice CSI5* Qualifier, held during Leg 4 of Major League Show Jumping (MLSJ) at the inaugural Highlands Cup. The victory put her within striking distance of the top 100 in the world.
After spending the summer training in Europe with Laura Kraut and Nick Skelton, she went on to earn both team and individual young rider gold medals at the FEI North American Youth Championships and helped secure a win for Team USA in the FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Young Rider Final.
At 20 years old, Wireman was among the youngest on the start order and faced off against Olympic gold medalists, world champions, as well as current world no. 1 and fellow American, Kent Farrington.
“I learned a lot this summer, and certainly I feel like I became a faster rider,” Wireman reflected on her experience under Kraut and Skelton’ tutelage. “I was already a brave rider wanting to go fast but having to compete against — especially — the French who go very fast, I spent two months pushing myself to beat them. Now I feel like I can win these classes.”
With Barclino B — the same horse she won her NAYC gold medals aboard — Wireman cruised to the winning time of 37.23 seconds from a jump-off field of 15 over tracks designed by Gregory Bodo (FRA), course builder for the 2024 Olympic games in Paris.
When Wireman returned for the short course, Nayel Nassar (EGY) and Mark Bluman (COL) were hoping to share the glory as co-winners of the class, each stopping the timers at exactly 37.68 seconds.
“I did a lot more strides than they did, but [Barclino’s] so naturally fast and very cat-like in the air,” Wireman explained. “When I’m thinking it, he’s already on to the next thing, which is incredible to have because I don’t feel like I have to take extra risks; I can just trust his natural speed to do it for me.”
Bluman on Phelina de Septon and Nassar riding S&L Maracana settled for a shared second place.
Neither Wireman nor Barclino B “Barry” are rich in experience, but they’ve become a powerful team in the short time they’ve been together.
“I picked him out,” she said of the nine-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Constanzehof’s Barcley x Lasino). “He was a special horse that was a little young and hadn’t done much. Over the last year, he’s come into his own and is quite an amazing partner for me. I can always count on him. I can walk in the ring and know we have a chance to win a class like today.”
See full results from the $62,480 BrainJuice CSI5* Qualifier here.
More about Highlands Horse Show here. Livestream available here.
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