Bermudian equestrian Tyler James has signaled his intent for the new season with a string of impressive performances at the World Equestrian Center’s Winter Spectacular Series in Ocala, Florida.
Under the continued guidance of coach Wendy Arndt and the Team I.E.C. banner, James is building on a breakthrough 2025 campaign that saw him establish himself as a rising threat on the competitive United States circuit.
The highlight of the opening weeks came in the Young Jumpers division, where James partnered with Zero to Sixty. The pair demonstrated exceptional pace and technical precision to claim a prestigious first-place finish, followed by a solid fourth place in a deep field of emerging equine talent.
James’ success extended into the Junior/Amateur Classic, where he guided Vino Blanco to a podium finish, securing third place. The result reinforces the consistency of a partnership that flourished during his first full year of U.S. competition last season.
The veteran mount Cruise Control proved to be a versatile asset across the equitation and medal classes. James secured a notable third-place finish in the USHJA Amateur Jumping Seat Medal, an event for which he successfully qualified for the national finals in 2025.
Further points were banked with a seventh-place finish in the Ariat Adult Medal and an eighth-place result in the THIS Adult Medal, showcasing James' ability to maintain form across multiple high-stakes rounds.
The strong start in Ocala provides a perfect platform for the rest of the month. James is scheduled to remain at the World Equestrian Center throughout February, continuing his partnership with Team I.E.C. as he looks to climb further up the regional rankings.
Tyler James: The Ocala Scorecard
Zero to Sixty: 1st & 4th (Young Jumpers)
Vino Blanco: 3rd (Junior/Amateur Classic)
Cruise Control: 3rd (USHJA Amateur Medal); 7th (Ariat Adult Medal); 8th (THIS Adult Medal)
With all three horses performing at a high level, the Bermudian contingent in Florida appears well-positioned for a landmark year on the North American stage.
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