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Sunday, February 15, 2026
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Waldron Solid in Season Opener & Harness Vesey Street Races
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Bermudian harness driver Kiwon Waldron made a composed start to his 2026 campaign as the North American racing season got underway at Harrah’s Hoosier Park in Indiana.
Waldron, who has established himself as a rising star in the competitive Midwest circuit, opted for a selective start to the opening day. His sole appearance came in the sulky of He’s Bubbly in the fifth race of the card, a contest that provided a sharp early-season test for both horse and driver.
From a competitive draw, Waldron navigated a tactical race, keeping He’s Bubbly within striking distance of the leaders throughout the mile. The pair crossed the line in third place, stopping the clock in a respectable 1:55.1. While narrowly missing out on the win, the performance marks a positive foundation for the season ahead at the Anderson-based track.
The 2026 season at Harrah’s Hoosier Park is one of the most demanding on the calendar, with racing scheduled to continue through until late November. Waldron’s early involvement follows a series of qualifying races held throughout late January, where he was tasked with sharpening the fitness of several high-profile stables.
For Waldron, the objective this year remains clear: to build on the momentum of a 2025 season that saw him climb the driver standings and secure several high-stakes victories. With his first podium of the year already on the board, the Bermudian will be looking to increase his workload as the spring schedule intensifies.
Meanwhile, The thunder of hooves returned to the National Equestrian Center on Vesey Street this weekend as Bermuda’s harness racing elite delivered a day of blistering speeds and photo finishes. On a track that appeared to be playing fast under the island sun, the 1:03/2 & Faster Time Bar class provided the headline drama in what was the fastest heat of the afternoon.
Gold Rush, piloted by Darico Clarke, stole the show in Heat 10, producing a magnificent clocking of 1:02/4. Clarke’s tactical awareness was on full display as he fended off a relentless challenge from Candyce Martins. Martins, who has been in record-breaking form this season with Smart Machine, had to settle for second place despite a sharp 1:03/0 finish. Bobby DeGraff and Double Time rounded out the top three, crossing the line in 1:05/0.
While Heat 10 provided the raw speed, it was Heat One that delivered the most nail-biting finish of the day. In the 1:04/2 – 1:05/3 Time Bar class, Jashaun Young and Holy Grail emerged victorious by the narrowest of margins.
Stopping the clock at 1:07/0, Young narrowly out-dueled D.J. Burchall in the sulky of Inwood's Realist, who was just a tenth of a second behind at 1:07/1. Teshi Zuill completed the podium in a tightly packed finish, driving Gold-N-Glory to a time of 1:07/4.
The competitive nature of the afternoon continued in the 1:03/3 – 1:04/1 Time Bar class. Tahzii Flood produced a masterclass in pacing behind Huntinforgold, claiming Heat 8 with a time of 1:03/3.
Flood faced a stern challenge from Teshi Zuill, who made her second podium appearance of the day. Driving Somegoldsomewhere, Zuill pushed the winner all the way to finish in 1:03/4. Maurice Raynor and Rockeyed Optimist took third place with a time of 1:05/0, capping off a session that highlighted the depth of talent currently competing on local soil.
Click Here to see the Full February 15th 2026 Harness Pony Racing Results
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Saturday, February 14, 2026
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Burch Claims Opening Day Glory in Martinique
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 Raishun Burch (c) IslandStats.com
The competition, which serves as a vital pillar of the Caribbean's elite equestrian circuit, features top-level divisions across both the Elite and Junior levels. As part of a multi-leg tour designed to elevate the standard of show jumping in the region, the event in Martinique attracted a competitive field of riders from across the Caribbean and beyond.
In a crowded field of 17 competitors for the Grand Caribbean Grand Prix Day 1 Class, Burch emerged as the man to beat. Partnering with the agile Endrix D’Eliapi, the Bermudian specialist produced a masterclass in precision and speed.
While many in the field struggled with the technical challenges of the Martinique course, Burch navigated the obstacles with clinical efficiency. The pair clocked a blistering Clear Round time of 43.21 seconds, a mark that proved insurmountable for the rest of the chasing pack.
Burch's victory is a significant boost for the Caribbean Equestrian Academy team, which often features a combined contingent of riders from Bermuda and the Bahamas. Having previously faced mixed fortunes in earlier rounds of the tour—including a sixth-place finish and an elimination in separate classes—this opening-day victory marks a major return to form for the experienced rider.
With the tour designed to foster regional growth, Burch's performance at the summit of the Elite standings reinforces Bermuda's reputation as a dominant force in Caribbean show jumping. The focus now shifts to the remaining days of the Martinique leg, where Burch will be looking to maintain his momentum and secure the overall Grand Prix title.
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Friday, February 13, 2026
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James Maintains Momentum with Top-Six Finish in Ocala
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Bermudian equestrian Tyler James has continued his impressive start to the 2026 season with another consistent display at the World Equestrian Center’s Ocala Winter Spectacular VII.
Competing in the prestigious CSI5* event during Week 2, James returned to the ring looking to build on a series of podium finishes secured earlier in the series.
In his sole outing of the week so far, James partnered with his reliable mount Cruise Control in the highly competitive USHJA 3'3" Adult Jumping Seat Class.
The pair produced a composed and technically sound round to navigate the challenging course, eventually securing a sixth-place finish. The result marks yet another top-ten placing for the duo, who have established themselves as a formidable combination in the jumping seat and medal classes this season.
Under the guidance of coach Wendy Arndt and Team I.E.C., James has become a regular fixture in the winners' circle at the Florida venue. His latest performance adds to a growing list of accolades in 2026, which already include:
3rd place in the USHJA Amateur Jumping Seat Medal
7th place in the Ariat Adult Medal
8th place in the THIS Adult Medal
James has also tasted success in the Young Jumpers division with Zero to Sixty, claiming both first and fourth-place finishes, as well as a third-place finish in the Junior/Amateur Classic with Vino Blanco.
As the Winter Spectacular continues throughout February, James is expected to remain in the thick of the action across multiple divisions. With the CSI5* ranking points on the line, the focus remains on maintaining this high level of consistency as the competition intensifies.
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Tuesday, February 10, 2026
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Rego Shines in Wellington with Clear Round Success
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Bermudian equestrian standout Cody Rego continued his impressive development on the world stage this week, producing a composed performance at the prestigious 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, Florida.
Competing during Week 5—the CSI5*/2* Fidelity Investments week—Rego showcased the technical precision that has made him one of Bermuda’s most exciting young prospects in the sport.
Partnered with Vico G, Rego lined up in a competitive field for the $2,000 1.30m Open Jumper II Class. Navigating a course that demanded both speed and accuracy, the pair delivered a clinical Clear Round, stopping the clock in a time of 65.704 seconds.
The performance was enough to secure a respectable 4th place overall, adding to what has been a busy month for the young rider. Rego has been a consistent presence at the Wellington International arena this season, notably representing team Oakland 12 in the Under 25 Grand Prix series earlier this month.
The result in the 1.30m class underscores Rego's versatility as he balances high-stakes team events with individual developmental classes. Having already tasted success on the European circuit and in major US equitation finals, his partnership with Vico G appears to be flourishing under the Florida sun.
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Monday, February 09, 2026
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SCAD gallop to victory as Bardgett shines in Florida
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The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) equestrian team continued their relentless pursuit of silverware, delivering a masterclass in precision and poise to claim the team title at the IHSA Region 5 Zone 5 event.
Competing at the state-of-the-art Ronald C. Waranch Equestrian Center, the Bees produced a flawless display to secure a perfect score of 49 points. The result further solidifies SCAD's position at the summit of the regional standings, where they have consistently outpaced their closest rivals throughout the 2025-2026 campaign.
The dominance of the SCAD squad was evident from the outset, as they finished a comfortable ten points ahead of Reserve Champions, the University of Central Florida. The University of Florida completed the podium, finishing third with 33 points.
The victory marks another significant milestone for the program, which secured three consecutive IHSA regular season event wins earlier in the season.
While the team victory was a collective effort, senior rider Kayla Bardgett stole the individual headlines with a commanding performance in the Open Flat Class.
Bardgett, a seasoned competitor for the Bees, expertly navigated her mount to secure first place. The win adds to an impressive season for the senior, who previously claimed back-to-back Open Flat victories in November. Her consistency has been a cornerstone of SCAD's regional dominance, helping the team maintain a 59-point lead over UCF heading into the final stages of the season.
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