Bermudian equestrian Kayla Bardgett helped rewrite the history books this weekend as the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) were crowned 2025-26 Tournament of Champions Series winners.
The victory marks SCAD’s first national title of the season, arriving during a landmark 35th-anniversary year for the collegiate series. The “Bees” established total dominance, claiming three of the four major shows across the season to secure the series trophy with a record-breaking performance.
For Bardgett, a senior and cornerstone of the program, the triumph follows an instrumental role in achieving the first-ever perfect score in the tournament’s three-decade history. Following the trophy presentation, an emotional Bardgett paid tribute to her horse, Bettina, and her coaching staff.
“What an incredible way to close out my final time competing,” Bardgett shared. “Bettina, you gave me absolutely everything and more. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner to finish this chapter with.”
With the IHSA Zone 5 Championship already secured, Bardgett and her teammates now turn their attention to the IHSA National Championships, looking to add further silverware to a season already etched in the SCAD history books.
