Wireman Delivers for Zone 10 at NAYC

The NAYC Young Rider Team podium. © FEI / Megan Giese

In three previous trips to the North American Youth Championships, a medal had eluded Skylar Wireman (USA). The fourth time proved to be the charm, as Wireman came away with two gold medals at the 2025 event in Traverse City (USA). 

Wireman helped lead the Zone 10 team to gold in the Young Rider jumping team final before leading the victory lap as the individual champion. Wireman, who attended her first Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in 2024 (UAE), rode the 9-year-old Holsteiner gelding Barclino B to the top of two podiums, earning her the first individual medal of her career and leading Zone 10 to its first gold medal in 15 years.

"To come in with a horse that I've had for just a year now—and we've really created a great partnership together—and jump four clear rounds in a week was really amazing," said Wireman, 20. "It's been a long time coming, so it feels good to win this in my last year [of eligibility]."

Wireman's winning teammates on Zone 10 were Emmeline Adamick (Andy'sboy Bretoniere), Talise Baker-Matsuoka (Levisto Junior A Z), and Ariana Marnell (Jikke-Cara). In the individual final, Alexa Elle Lignelli (USA Zone 2, Xo Zadora) finished second, with Olivia Sweetnam (USA Zone 4, Epic) third.

Dominant Debut

In her first NAYC appearance, 14-year-old Khloe Kerins was foot perfect. She did not incur a single fault throughout five rounds of team and individual competition, resulting in a pair of gold medals in the Children's division with Small Change, a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding. Kerins' Zone 4 teammate Lola Bacardi (Top New Tina) finished second individually, while Eva Montemayor Galvan (MEX) and Ithaca were third.

"This feels amazing," she said. “I have a good horse, and he’s helped me so much this week. I’m so happy to be in the middle of these two very good riders and very happy that I got this opportunity.”

In addition to Bacardi, Kerins' winning teammates on Zone 4 were Ryan Haselden (Hector du Gue) and Jesus Rigu (Excel).

Sister, Sister

Agatha Lignelli (USA Zone 2) only knows one color at NAYC: gold. The 15-year-old earned both team and individual gold in the Pre-Junior category in Traverse City, a year after achieving the same feat in the Children's category.

“I didn’t think it could get much better after last year,” said Lignelli, whose winning parter was Xo Kiara. “Coming to the final fence, I was in a daze. When I looked up and there were no faults, I was so happy.”

Lignelli trains with U.S. jumping athlete Lillie Keenan, herself a three-time NAYC gold medalist. Lignelli's older sister Alexa earned two silver medals at NAYC in the Junior category, also representing Zone 2. The elder Lignelli rode Xo Kiara previously before turning the reins over to her sister.

“[Alexa] told me to take every jump by itself, and don’t think about what’s behind you,” Agatha shared.

Flawless

Philippa Ammann (USA Zone 4) had a bold message for her competitors at NAYC: Catch me if you can.

Catch her, they could not, as Ammann led from start to finish in the Junior category with Zarina de Vidau. Ammann competed solely in individual competition at NAYC, illustrating the depth of Zone 4, who also won team gold with JJ Torano (Lyon 50), Sophia Ayers (Conthinder), Lily Epstein (Zjechov), and Gabriella Curry (Esto de Viscout).

Ammann finished individual competition on a perfect zero score, leading from start to finish. Campbell Brown (USA Zone 7) finished second individually, followed by Torano.

FULL RESULTS