Photo Finish Thriller as Harness Pony Racing Heats Up
IslandStats.com
Harness Pony racing at the National Equestrian Center on Vesey Street delivered a night of tight competition, headlined by a photo finish and the fastest race of the season so far.
The quickest action of the evening came in Heat 2 of the 1:04&0 & Faster Time Bar Class. Here, Smart Machine, driven by Candyce Martins, set the fastest overall time of the night with a blistering 1:02 flat.
Challenging them was Red October, with Philip Correia in the seat, who took second place with a time of 1:03&3. The third spot went to Somegoldsomewhere, driven by Teshi Zuill, clocking 1:04 flat.
The excitement reached its peak in Heat 5 of the 1:04&1 - 1:05&1 Time Bar Class, which required the judges to rule on a dead-heat finish.
The top two ponies hit the line in an identical time of 1:05&4. After review, Huntinforgold, with Tahzii Flood in the sulky, was declared the winner. Holy Grail, with Jashaun Young, was officially credited with second place, sharing the same time. Inwood's Progress, driven by Demian Tucker, finished third in the heat with a time of 1:07/2.
Smart Machine Sets Blistering Pace in Harness Pony Racing
IslandStats.com
The Harness Pony Racing Season saw some remarkably fast times at the National Equestrian Center on Vesey Street, with Candyce Martins piloting Smart Machine to the quickest time of the day.
The fastest time of the entire race day was recorded in Heat One, the 1:04/0 & FASTER Time Bar Class. SMART MACHINE, driven by Candyce Martins, finished with a scorching time of 1:02&2, setting the benchmark for the competition.
The same heat saw two closely contested finishes for the minor placings. ROCKEYED OPTIMIST, driven by Maurice Raynor, and SOMEGOLDSOMEWHERE, driven by Teshi Zuill, both clocked an identical time of 1:04&4.
Heat 12, also run in the 1:04/0 & FASTER Time Bar Class, delivered another display of speed just shy of the day's record.
RED OCTOBER, driven by Philip Correia, took the win with a time of 1:02&3. Close behind was DOUBLE TIME, once again driven by Candyce Martins, clocking 1:02&4.
The results indicate a highly competitive season ahead, particularly in the fastest time bar classes, with Martins and Correia setting an early standard.
The Bermuda Dressage Group held their Christmas "Festive Wear" Dressage Show and everyone came out looking fantastic! The event had Santas and Mrs Claus', elves, gingerbread men and toy soldiers among others! The judge, Sarah Farrar, said everyone had improved since the last season when she judged. The highest scores of the day for the USDF set tests were junior rider, Lily Butler on her Farsi Forza with a score at First level of 75.37% and adult rider, Vee McKey on her young horse Happy Dance at Training level with 76%.
We also had 4 musical Freestyles, where junior riders create their own test matched to music. All of the freestyles were done to Christmas-themed music and were a lot of fun to watch - well done to Julia Cunningham and Mr Worldwide winning the training level Freestyle with 75.59, second was Bella Rodrigues on Puff the Magic Dragon and third was Chloe Mello on Memory Lane Paparazzi. Lila Readdy on Edelweiss was the only First level freestyle earning an impressive 80.97%!!
The juniors are steadily moving up the scores with Julia Cunningham, Sophie Greenway, Kristen Futter and Bella Rodriques all scoring over 70%.
The junior winners of the "best festive dressed" with rider/horse/pony combinations all coming in extremely close. Winners were Julia Cunningham, Kelsie Carriero, Chloe Mello, and Bella Rodrigues. The adult winners were Catrina Sharman, Peta White, Sherri Cruikshank and Sebrina Greenway!
Bardgett & Tavares Claim Top Honours in RES Horse Show
IslandStats.com
The Bermuda Equestrian Federation’s RES HORSE SHOW delivered a strong day of competition at the National Equestrian Center on Vesey Street, with riders securing victories across various equitation and hunter classes.
The Modified Equitation 2'6 Over Fences Adults class saw Tonae Tavares claim the top spot, riding KOOL BLU. She was followed by Laura Lister in second place aboard DELTA'S ROULETTE, with Peta White finishing third on CAUSING CHAOS.
Tavares was back on the podium in the Hunter 2'6 Over Fences Horses division, guiding KOOL BLU to a second-place finish. This class was won by Eliza Steinhoff riding CRUISE IS KARMA, while Peta White secured third place with CAUSING CHAOS.
In the Open Equitation Up To 2'9 Over Fences class, the partnership of Vee McKey and HARRISON took the win. Sophie Greenway finished second riding CHEVY ZG Z, and Gemma Carreiro secured third place aboard MARTINI ON THE ROCKS.
The Open Equitation Medal Series Under Saddle (Max 3'6) title went to Kayla Bardgett riding FARSI FORZA. Abby Bardgett placed second on CAUSING CHAOS, with Simone Sainsbury rounding out the top three aboard DELTA'S ROULETTE.
The show highlighted the competitive depth within the island's equestrian community across both junior and adult divisions.
Waldron Secures Two Third-Place Finishes at Hoosier Park
IslandStats.com
Bermudian driver Kiwon Waldron returned to action at Harrah's Hoosier Park in Indiana, delivering a consistent night by securing a third-place finish in both of his scheduled races.
Waldron's evening began in RACE 5, where he competed in the Pace Class. Driving Maybemabel, Waldron clocked a time of 1:53&2, which was good enough to claim the third position.
Later in the night, Waldron was back on the track for RACE 11, also in the Pace Class. This time in the sulky of Six Sticks Of Gum, the pair put in another solid effort, finishing third once again with a time of 1:53&3.
The two competitive third-place finishes underscore Waldron's consistent performance level in the demanding pace class at Harrah's Hoosier Park.
