Skylar Wireman and Barclino B are Back in Winner’s Circle Again in $75,000 Adequan Grand Prix
Skylar Wireman and Barclino B rode away with a commanding victory in February 28’s $75,000 Adequan Grand Prix, making them two-for-two on wins this week at Desert Circuit 8 in Thermal, Calif.
After topping the $30,000 FarmVet 1.45m Open Classic on Thursday, Wireman and the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding, owned by Wireman Investment Group, returned to the Grand Prix Stadium at Desert International Horse Park to tackle the Saturday night featured class. The pair was one of 29 entries to take on the first-round, Peter Grant-designed course and one of six to qualify to come back for the jump-off.
The night’s very first duo to jump, Avery Griffin and Oh My Star Van Strytem, immediately showed how it was done, becoming the clear-round pathfinders and earning the first spot in the jump-off. They then returned to duplicate their clear efforts, this time while also setting the time to beat at 38.945 seconds.
With Wireman next in the ring, Griffin’s lead was short lived, as Barclino B galloped down to the final fence to finish on a winning 36.813 seconds. While four others would try, no one would else would keep all the jumps up while also outpacing either Barclino B or Oh My Star Van Strytem. That meant Griffin and her mount – owned by PBC Equine Investments LLC – held on to second place, while third place with a time of 39.492 seconds went to Mariano Maggi and his Quantico 23. Wireman and Barclino B were also named the winners of the $5,000 Kelcie’s Horse Treats U25 held concurrently.
Of her winning jump-off strategy, Wireman says that, with “Barry,” it is generally not about the strides between the jumps but rather the gelding’s natural speed and turning ability.
“The big upside of this horse is he can go so fast to the jump and then turn so tight on the backside,” explained Wireman. “You think it, and he’s already doing it, which is an unbelievable feeling to have underneath you. I did nine in the first line. I believe Avery behind me did the eight, but then my turn on the backside can be so many feet tighter than anyone else. Then, it lets me do less strides in the turn to the next jump. So, I actually worry more about doing less strides in the turns rather than in the long gallops. I do one more sometimes, but then I turn tighter.”
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