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.
Monday, November 10, 2025
FEI Approves Major Jumping Rule Overhaul
IslandStats.com
The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) announced that a restructured set of Jumping Rules received an overwhelming 96% approval during its General Assembly in Hong Kong and will officially take effect on January 1, 2026.
The changes mark a concerted effort to enhance horse welfare and improve governance across the global sport.
FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibanez thanked the National Federations for their constructive dialogue, stating the discussions "clearly reflected a shared commitment to finding solutions." She noted that despite not being unanimous, the approval signals a strong consensus. The FEI committed to looking into a request from several federations for a more harmonized approach to rule changes across all disciplines.
Bermuda was represented by delegate Erin Smith, who highlighted the significance of the assembly for the island’s equestrian community.
Smith remarked that it was "an honour to represent Bermuda at the FEI General Assembly in Hong Kong," which focused on meaningful rule updates, strengthened governance, and welfare initiatives. She stressed the importance of her side meetings: "Throughout the week, I also had the opportunity to participate in multiple individual meetings—including valuable discussions with the FEI Solidarity team and partners involved in the Hong Kong Jockey Club initiative—which provided important insights and support for Bermuda’s continued development."
The proposed Article 259 on Jumping Recorded Warnings was a major point of discussion and was approved by the National Federations as a meaningful advancement for horse welfare. The approved measures enhance safeguards and consistency, notably:
Mandatory Fitness Checks: New mandatory fitness-to-compete checks by the ground jury, in consultation with the veterinary delegate, will be enforced in all cases of blood.
Continuation Contingent: Horses are now only permitted to continue competing if passed fit-to-compete following the new veterinary check. Increased Consistency: The new rules offer clearer guidance for FEI Officials, removing the 'minor' distinction and ensuring greater consistency and objectivity in application.
Transparency and Accountability: All Jumping Recorded Warnings will now be published by the FEI, ensuring increased transparency. Federation Notification: National Federations will receive automatic notification of all Jumping Recorded Warnings concerning their athletes, enabling them to better monitor cases and decide on imposing additional welfare checks or measures.
Crucially, existing protections remain unchanged, including mandatory disqualification for excessive use of spurs, the Abuse of Horse provisions, and the ability to open separate disciplinary proceedings for additional sanctions.
