Bermuda’s Kayla Bardgett produced a flawless display of horsemanship to help the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) clinch the IHSA Zone 5 Championship title.
In a high-stakes weekend featuring 31 colleges, the hosts delivered a clinical performance to secure their spot at the upcoming National Championships.
The spotlight fell on Bardgett in the Open Equitation on the Flat, where she faced a grueling field of the region’s elite riders. The competition tested technical limits, requiring riders to compete without stirrups before the top four were ordered to swap horses for a final evaluation.
Bardgett’s adaptability proved the decider. She was crowned Zone Champion, a result that guarantees her individual qualification for the IHSA Nationals—a feat reserved only for the top two riders in each zone.
The victory held extra significance for the Bermudian, marking her final competitive appearance in the ring she has called home for three years.
“Closing out my last time competing in this ring was an extremely emotional moment,” Bardgett said. “Every person, every push, and every bit of belief has led me to this.”
With the Zone 5 trophy secured, Bardgett and her SCAD teammates now shift their focus to the season finale. After dominating on home soil, the team heads to the National Championships as one of the favorites for national glory.
