Traverse City, United States – August 08, 2025 – The fifth season of Major League Show Jumping hit full stride Friday at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, presented by B&D Builders. Fresh off her double gold medal performance at the FEI North American Youth Championships, Skylar Wireman (USA) kept her momentum rolling Friday, topping a 58-horse field in the $32,000 Munson Healthcare Speed Challenge CSI 2* . Riding Cielo, owned by Justin Resnik, she claimed the win by a convincing margin.

“He’s actually the son of my horse Citoki who’s here this week jumping the five-star,” Wireman said of Cielo, a 10-year-old American Warmblood gelding (Citoki x Quick Star). “Citoki came along after I’d been riding Cielo.”

Cielo jumped a few national grand prix before spending a year jumping the 1.15m with a junior rider. Back under Wireman’s saddle, they’re continuing their quest for top sport.

“I’ve had him for a couple years now,” she continued. “I did him as a 6-year-old and I just got him back [from a lease] this summer. He’d never done FEI so now this week he’s really shown up to the party. I think he’s going to be a top horse.”

Coming into Friday’s class, Wireman knew she could be competitive, but with such a large start list she was just hoping to take home a solid placing.

“I knew that he’s done a few speed classes and he’s quite a fast horse,” she said. “He’s very cat-like and can think about turning. He’s picked up a lot at home with smaller turns. I knew I could go for it a bit. I didn’t expect to win it, but I wanted a top-five ribbon.”

Wireman had the unique opportunity to spend some time training with some of the very best in the sport this summer, so she’s been absent from U.S. horse shows, but for good reason.

“I got to spend two months in Europe this summer working with Laura Kraut and Nick Skelton through Road to the Top,” she explained. “I couldn’t be more grateful for their support. It’s a wonderful program and to spend time with people at the top of the sport is very valuable. It was an amazing experience and I learned a lot.”

Now back on her home soil, along with the help of her mother, Shayne, and some remote guidance from Peter Wylde, Wireman’s success is showing in spades. Her unbeatable performance at NAYC provided some extra confidence, and she feels that all her horses are going as well as they ever have.

“I think it [gave me confidence] especially because NAYC has eluded me for so many years,” she said of her feat. “Winning everything and staying so consistent throughout the week I feel like I’m on point and it gives me confidence that I can keep winning these classes.”

In second place was Erynn Ballard (CAN) riding Chatadel PS, and Jessica Mendoza (GBR) took third with I-Cap CL Z.

Final Results – $32,000 Munson Healthcare Speed Challenge CSI 2*

1) Skylar Wireman (USA) & Cielo – 0 – 68.82

2) Erynn Ballard (CAN) & Chatadel PS – 0 – 70.04

3) Jessica Mendoza (GBR) & I-Cap CL Z – 0 – 70.63

Source: Press Release from Traverse City Horse Shows

Photos: © TCHS / Megan Giese Media

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