Skylar Wireman's perfect redemption story crowning a dominant week for American youth talent, Kent Farrington showing why the World #1 sometimes competes at CSI3* level, and three massive 5* showdowns looming next week that will split the sport's elite across three continents. Sometimes the quietest weeks tell the most interesting stories.

🎧 Listen on Spotify!

Perfect for busy equestrians! Get your elite showjumping news at jump-off speed while you're cleaning stalls, driving to the barn, or out for a hack. Be the most informed person at your next show!

FEI North American Youth Championships: Zone 4 and Zone 10 Dominate

Traverse City delivered everything you want from a continental championship—breakthrough performances, redemption stories, and a clear glimpse into the sport's future pipeline. The week belonged to two zones that demonstrated completely different paths to excellence.

For those unfamiliar with North American youth competition, the FEI North American Youth Championships operate on a unique zone system that divides the United States into twelve geographical regions. Zone 4 covers the southeastern states including Florida and Georgia, while Zone 10 encompasses California and Nevada. Each zone can field teams of up to four riders in four age divisions—Children (12-14), Pre-Juniors (14-16), Juniors (14-18), and Young Riders (16-21)—competing against each other plus teams from Canada and Mexico. Riders compete for both team medals (based on cumulative team performance) and individual medals (determined through multiple rounds), making NAYC the premier stepping stone for young North American riders aspiring to senior international competition.

Skylar Wireman's Perfect Redemption: The Young Rider division provided the week's most compelling narrative. After injuries derailed her NAYC appearances in 2021 and 2023, Skylar Wireman (Zone 10) entered her final year of eligibility with one goal: finish what she started. Riding Barclino B, she delivered four clear rounds across the championship to claim individual gold while anchoring Zone 10's first team gold in 15 years.

her chef d'équipe had advised, and Wireman did exactly that—providing the clutch clear round that sealed their historic team victory.

Zone 4's Youth Takeover: If Wireman's story was about redemption, Zone 4's week was about systematic dominance. They claimed team gold in both Junior and Children's divisions while producing individual champions who made it look effortless. Philippa Ammann completed all five rounds of the Junior championship without a single fault for individual gold—riding as an individual separate from the team gold winners. In the Children's division, 14-year-old Khloe Kerins was equally flawless aboard Small Change, navigating five rounds without a jumping or time fault to win both individual and team gold.

Family Legacy: Zone 2's Lignelli sisters wrote their own compelling chapter. Agatha Lignelli claimed double gold in Pre-Juniors for the second consecutive year, having moved up from Children's where she won double gold in 2024. Her older sister Alexa Elle earned silver in Young Riders—creating a family medal haul that showcased the power of systematic development under three-time NAYC gold medalist Lillie Keenan's guidance.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ CSI4 Valkenswaard: Conter and La Una Deliver

Belgium's Zoe Conter piloted the 14-year-old mare La Una to victory in the Longines Grand Prix CSI4*, stopping the clock at 37.16 seconds in the jump-off. Dutch legend Harrie Smolders and the remarkable 16-year-old Monaco were just fractions behind in 37.51 seconds, proving once again that age is just a number for true champions. Italy's Giampiero Garofalo rounded out the podium with the 9-year-old Querido van't Ruytershof, posting the fastest four-fault time. The week also saw young American Ansgar Holtgers Jr. claim victory in the Speed Challenge CSI4*, while Belgium's Gilles Thomas continued his consistent form with victories in two separate 1.50m speed classes.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ CSI3 HITS Saugerties: Farrington's Masterclass in Development

This was textbook horsemanship from the World #1. Kent Farrington’s appearance at HITS Saugerties with 9-year-old Grass de Mars perfectly illustrated how top riders systematically develop their strings. The Selle Français mare rewarded his patient approach with victory in both the $62,480 Welcome Stake and the $116,050 Purina Animal Nutrition Grand Prix. Farrington’s jump-off time of 41.24 seconds was over half a second faster than runner-up Alessandra Volpi, creating an all-American podium with Adrienne Sternlicht third. For riders at Farrington’s level, every horse in the barn serves a purpose—while his proven 5* mounts rest and prepare for the biggest stages, he’s methodically building the next generation of his string at the perfect level for their development.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

⭐️⭐️⭐️ European CSI3 Roundup: Continental Depth on Display

The strength of European showjumping was evident across three major CSI3* events. In Saint-Lô, France delivered a perfect home nation sweep with Marc Dilasser and Giulio du Ter winning in 36.52 seconds, just five-hundredths ahead of Francois Xavier Boudant. Slovakia's Gyula Szuhai Jr. blazed to victory at Samorin with Lawisangos in 35.05 seconds, while Spain's Alberto Marquez Galobardes claimed the Sentower Park honors with Corazon K. The geographic spread of winners—Hungary, France, and Spain—across these three events perfectly illustrates the incredible depth and competitiveness of European showjumping.

⭐️⭐️ CSI2 Circuit: International Flavor Continues

Irish rider Paul O'Shea continued his successful American campaign by winning the WEC Ocala Grand Prix aboard Hellcat in 40.14 seconds, part of the facility's expanded 10-week Summer Series. The event featured significant facility upgrades including new GGT footing, cementing WEC Ocala's status as a premier summer destination. Meanwhile, Eduardo Pereira De Menezes delivered for Brazil at Valkenswaard's CSI2* division with H5 Kay's Pleasure Hero Z.

Next week delivers one of the most anticipated weeks of the entire season with three globally significant 5* events running simultaneously—a scheduling convergence that will test rider loyalties and create fascinating strategic decisions.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ CSIO5 Dublin, Ireland (August 6-10)

The crown jewel of the week features the legendary Aga Khan Trophy Nations Cup at the historic Dublin Horse Show. This is Irish showjumping's premier moment, drawing massive crowds and the world's best teams to compete for one of the sport's most coveted prizes. The atmosphere at the RDS Arena is unmatched, and the pressure of performing in front of passionate home crowds adds another layer of complexity.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ CSI5/CSI2 MLSJ Traverse City, USA (August 6-10)Major League Show Jumping returns to Traverse City for a crucial North American leg that will attract top riders from the Americas and beyond. The tour's continued growth and substantial prize money make this a must-attend event for anyone serious about the MLSJ championship standings.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ CSI5 LGCT London, Great Britain (August 7-10)*

The Longines Global Champions Tour makes its much-anticipated stop at the magnificent Royal Hospital Chelsea. With the LGCT and GCL championships heating up, this London leg could prove decisive in determining the overall season winners. The unique venue and urban setting create a completely different atmosphere from traditional horse show grounds.

Supporting Cast:

The strategic choices riders make—Dublin for team prestige, MLSJ for tour points, London for LGCT championship implications—will reveal priorities and provide insight into the sport's emerging hierarchies. When three of the biggest shows on the calendar run simultaneously, every decision becomes fascinating.

A solid week that perfectly captured the sport's development cycle. The North American Youth Championships delivered compelling storylines and glimpses of future stars, while Farrington's strategic use of a CSI3* event showcased the chess-like planning that separates great riders from good ones. Zone 4's systematic dominance and Skylar Wireman's redemption arc provided the emotional content that makes youth championships genuinely engaging.

However, with no 5* action and limited drama in the senior ranks, this week was always going to be about building anticipation rather than delivering fireworks. The real story is what's coming—next week's triple 5* convergence promises to be one of the season's defining moments, with major implications for world rankings, team selections, and championship standings.

Know a showjumping fan who's always rushing to catch up on the sport's biggest moments? Share this newsletter with them! Every week, JumpOff.news delivers the most important elite showjumping news in a concise, easy-to-digest format—so they'll never miss another historic hat-trick or breakthrough performance.

Stay tuned to JumpOff.news for all the latest coverage... make sure to subscribe, share with fellow equestrians, and follow all the action as it unfolds, here at JumpOff.news, elite showjumping news, jump-off speed!