December 17, 2023 
The state of Texas falls within a particular region of the United States coined “Tornado Alley.”
Tornadoes in this region can be deadly. They occur primarily between May and December and wind speeds can exceed 300 miles per hour. In other words, Skylar Wireman’s horse “Tornado” fit right in.
Wireman, who is less than a month out from her 20th birthday, checked off a bucket-list accomplishment in Fort Worth, Texas on Saturday: her first Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ victory.
“It doesn’t feel real; it’s incredible,” Wireman said of her victory. “That horse is incredible. Every time I’ve jumped a bigger track, he’s just gotten better and better. Honestly, he has the biggest heart of any horse I’ve ever had.”
Tornado was secured for Wireman less than two weeks prior. She acquired the ride from fellow West Coast horseman Nick Haness, who asked Wireman to help produce the horse for sale, and wound up purchasing the horse for herself.
“I ended up getting hurt [shortly after he came into our barn], but Nick was nice enough to let me keep him through that time,” Wireman explained. “Then we jumped our first bigger classes. Just recently, some close family members helped me keep him forever.”
Forever sounds nice when they’re already winning at the CSI4*-W level.
The 9-year-old Swedish Warmblood (Diarado x Chacco-Blue) is green to the 1.60m height, but boasts a 100% Top 10 finish average over three rounds, according to Jumpr App—all in World Cup qualifiers. Within that short sample size, the pair has been trending upward, securing a ninth place finish in Sacramento in October and an eight place in Las Vegas last month ahead of Saturday’s win.
In Fort Worth, they joined Irish Olympians Shane Sweetnam and Darragh Kenny, with six total jumping clear over Anderson Lima’s course.
The jump-off wasn’t the smoothest. The track offered a daring inside turn that Wireman was gutsy enough to try, but it didn’t quite execute as she and Tornado came to an almost complete stop before quickly navigating their way around another fence
“[My coach Peter Wylde] told me to go around if I did six [strides],” she said. “Apparently I missed that note! He said to do seven [strides] and go inside, but I saw six, and I tried to still go inside and quickly rerouted. He was just flying. I just [thought], ‘I better stay on!'”
As the first double clear, Wireman had to wait four more rounds to see how it would play out. Luck played in her favor when only one other rider managed the feat. Nicolas Gamboa (COL) and NKH Mr. Darcy left all the jumps up but crossed the timers two-tenths of a second slower, handing Wireman the win.
Jill Humphrey and Chromatic BF took third place with four faults in 34.69.
The victory is biggest of Wireman’s burgeoning career. In her first year as a pro, she’s earned five FEI wins and 15 podium finishes this year (Jumpr App).
“I’ve had great fun,” Wireman said of the past year. “The more you challenge me and the more you dare me, the more I push harder and want it more.”
Something that was made quite clear in the jump-off Saturday night.
Just two legs remain in the North American League season. With 37 points Wireman has moved into fifth in the standings, putting her well within reach of a spot at the World Cup Final in April. Israel’s Daniel Bluman tops the standings on 43 points, followed by Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam (41) and USA’s Jill Humphrey (39).
The North American League next stops in Puebla, Mexico, Jan 28.
