Bermudian driver Kiwon Waldron was in action at Harrah’s Hoosier Park in Indiana, navigating two competitive races under the lights and achieving respectable top-four finishes in both Pace Class events.
Waldron's evening began in RACE 4 where he was in the sulky of Six Sticks Of Gum. Competing in the Pace Class, the pair put in a solid effort, crossing the finish line in third place. Their recorded time for the run was 1:53&2, a strong performance in a tight field.
Later in the night, Waldron returned for RACE 13, also contested in the Pace Class. This time, he steered Vel Cinderella. The duo demonstrated good pace and consistency, ultimately finishing in fourth place. They clocked a quicker time of 1:52 flat, wrapping up a busy and successful night of harness racing for the Bermudian driver.
Waldron's two top-four finishes reflect a night of strong, steady driving and will provide valuable experience as he continues his season at the Indiana track.
Monday, November 17, 2025
Waldron Continues Harness Campaign with Mixed Results
IslandStats.com
Bermuda's Kiwon Waldron was back in the saddle—or rather, the sulky, continuing his harness racing campaign at Harrah's Hoosier Park in Indiana, US.
The highly regarded driver took part in five races across the card, navigating both the Trot and Pace classes in a busy evening of competition that yielded a handful of notable placings but no wins.
Waldron’s best performance came in Race 7 where he piloted the Trot Class entry, Call Option. The pair ran a strong race, securing a highly competitive second-place finish, clocking a time of 1:56&4 in a tight contest.
He followed this up in his final race of the night, Race 13, in the Pace Class. Waldron teamed up with El Jute to cross the line third, concluding his evening with another solid top-three result, recording a time of 1:56&2.
The early and middle portions of the night proved more challenging for the Bermudian driver. In Race 5, a Trot Class event, Waldron was in the sulky of Gold Paige, finishing seventh with a time of 1:56&3 . Later, in the evening’s final Pace Class event, Race 8, Waldron and Rockin Dawg also finished seventh, logging a time of 1:56&2.
His longest time came in Race 11, another Trot Class race, where he partnered with Full Strength. They finished seventh, clocking a time of 2:01 flat.
Despite not reaching the winner's circle, securing a second and a third place across five starts demonstrates Waldron's continued presence and competitiveness on the demanding North American harness racing circuit.
Saturday, November 15, 2025
Bermuda Riders Clear the Way in CEA Mini Challenge
IslandStats.com
The National Equestrian Center on Vesey Street was the focus of competitive riding as the Bermuda Equestrian Federation (BEF) successfully hosted the Caribbean Equestrian Association’s (CEA) Mini Jumping Challenge alongside the BEF Support Show. Bermuda’s top riders put in strong performances as they bid to secure their places against the region.
In the crucial CEA Mini Jumping Challenge, which determines the island's representation against the rest of the Caribbean, three riders secured notable results. In Class A, Annie Duffin delivered a flawless round aboard Wintermint, recording a Clear Round with an impressive time of 3.34. Moving to Class B, Aurelia Bathgate riding Storm Watch finished their attempt with 10 Penalty Fault Points and a time of 9.01. Concluding the CEA classes, Eliza Steinhoff piloted Cruz is Karma to an outstanding Clear Round in Class C, stopping the clock at 5.28. These results determine the scores that the Bermuda team will carry into the regional competition.
The BEF Support Show provided local riders with a platform to test their skill and speed. The competitive 1.05m Against the Clock with a Jump-Off Class was won by Lily Butler riding Farsi Forza, despite accruing 4 Penalty Fault Points. Sierra Wolffe and Made You Look took second place, finishing with 7 Penalty Fault Points, while Alex McMartin and Hornelli secured third place with 8 Penalty Fault Points.
The 0.95m Against the Clock with a Jump-Off Class was a battle for speed between riders who successfully navigated the course without fault. Ryan Wright and Up Up & Away proved unbeatable, recording a double Clear Round with the fastest time of 28.91 to take the victory. Vee McKey and Harrison also achieved a double Clear Round but had to settle for second place with a time of 31.36. Rounding out the top three was Gemma Carreiro riding Martini on the Rocks; the pair had a Clear First Round but incurred 8 Penalty Fault Points in the second round, finishing in 34.77.
Waldron Wins Qualifying Trot at Harrah's Hoosier Park
IslandStats.com
Bermudian harness driver Kiwon Waldron secured a victory in his lone race of the day at Harrah's Hoosier Park in Indiana, winning a competitive qualifying event in the Trot Class.
Waldron was in action in Race 3, where he guided the trotter Kansas Boy to cross the line first, clocking a winning time of 1 minute, 58 and three-fifths seconds (1:58&3).
Qualifying races are essential in harness racing as they allow a horse to establish its ability to participate at a race meeting, ensuring the horse meets the required standards for its class.
This victory with Kansas Boy demonstrates Waldron's consistent form and ability to secure wins across both the Trot and Pace disciplines on the highly competitive US circuit.
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Minors Talks Technology Bond Between Horse and Rider
IslandStats.com
At first glance, little about a show jumping ring suggests modern technology, as Dr. Jerry Doby writes. The air still smells of sand and leather, and the rhythm of hooves still sets the day’s tempo. Tradition isn’t just preserved in this world—it’s protected.
Yet beneath that sense of permanence, change is quietly taking hold. Data analytics, sensors, and wearable monitors are finding their way into stables and training programs that once relied only on instinct. What was once considered futuristic is now becoming standard equipment.
For international rider Ki-Juan Minors, the evolution isn’t something to fear; it’s a way forward. “Technology can’t replace the partnership between horse and rider,” he says. “But if we use it well, it can help us protect that bond”.
Minors, who trains out of Wellington, Florida, has built a career on feel and discipline. Still, he is pragmatic about what comes next. In a sport where safety and fairness depend on precision, he believes technology is not an intrusion; it’s insurance.
Good riders feel things before they see them: a hesitation in stride, a flicker of discomfort that no camera can capture. But new tools are making the invisible visible.
High-speed video paired with artificial intelligence can analyze every movement in a horse’s gait, exposing minute imbalances before they turn into injuries. Smart saddles and reins measure weight distribution and tension, providing data that validates what experienced riders have long sensed but couldn’t prove.
The combination of intuition and data has started to change training methods across the sport. What used to rely on repetition and best guesses is now backed by measurable insight. The result is more informed riders, healthier horses , and a sport that’s learning to evolve without losing its soul.
Progress rarely comes evenly. The same systems that protect horses and improve performance can also deepen the divide between riders who can afford them and those who can’t.
Minors is acutely aware of that risk. “Technology should open doors, not close them,” he says. “It has to be something that helps everyone, not just the top riders”.
Some innovations are helping to bridge that gap. Virtual-reality simulators let riders preview courses they might never physically see before competition. Portable sensors are becoming more affordable, allowing smaller barns to track performance and health. Access is still uneven, but the direction is promising.
For Minors, fairness isn’t a side issue—it’s the foundation of the sport’s credibility. If technology is going to be part of equestrian life, it must be used to make it more inclusive, not more exclusive.
