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Tuesday, April 07, 2026
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Bardgett & Bees Crowned Tournament of Champions Winners
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Kayla Bardgett and her Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) teammates have reached the pinnacle of collegiate equestrianism, officially being named the 2025-26 Tournament of Champions Series winners.
In what has been a historic 35th anniversary season for the prestigious series, the SCAD "Bees" delivered a campaign of unprecedented dominance. The team secured their first national title of the year by claiming victory in three of the four major shows across the calendar, a feat that underscored their status as the premier force in the discipline.
Such was the clinical nature of their season that SCAD entered the final show of the series—the Spring Classic in Findlay—having already mathematically secured the overall championship. However, rather than coasting to the finish line, the Bees produced a performance that served as a definitive exclamation point on a legendary year for the program.
Under the guidance of Director of Equestrian Ashley Henry and Assistant Coach Sammy Perlman, the team finished the series with a record-high 98 points, a total calculated from their highest two-show scores. The season will be long remembered for a historic milestone reached in January 2026, where the Bees achieved the Tournament’s first-ever "perfect" score during the Winter Classic.
For Bardgett and her teammates, the Series Championship marks the culmination of a relentless training program and a testament to the depth of talent within the Savannah-based stable. With one national title already secured, the focus now shifts to the remaining postseason championships as SCAD looks to add further silverware to a record-breaking 2025-26 campaign.
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Saturday, April 04, 2026
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Bermuda Crowns FEI Jumping World Challenge Champions
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The thunder of hooves returned to the National Equestrian Centre on Vesey Street as Bermuda’s finest riders gathered for the final showdown of the 2026 FEI Jumping World Challenge.
Under the bright Atlantic sun, the third and final day of competition provided a fitting climax to the season, with the island's junior talent stealing the limelight in the jumping ring. The afternoon was defined by precision and poise, particularly in Category C, where Logan Flood and Lily Butler produced standout performances. Flood, in particular, demonstrated remarkable synergy with her mount, navigating two flawless rounds to leave the fences untouched and set the standard for the day.
In Category B, the vastly experienced Philip Correia continued his consistent form. Tasked with navigating a technical course that caught out several competitors, Correia and his partner Poker Face remained composed to deliver the crucial results needed to solidify their standing at the top of the leaderboard.
The drama shifted to Category A as the overall title hung in the balance. Jay Lynn Hines, entering the day as the rider to beat, faced a testing opening round that saw her battle for rhythm. In a strategic move reflecting the high stakes of the series, Hines opted not to contest the second round. Having already secured dominant scores in the first and second legs of the challenge, her existing tally proved insurmountable, safely anchoring her position at the summit of the elite category.
With the dust settled on the final fences, the official Bermuda Team for the 2026 challenge was confirmed based on the best two results across the three-part series. Jay Lynn Hines and Toto Dysenbeeck Z take the honors in Category A, while Philip Correia and Poker Face claim the Category B mantle. Rounding out the championship trio is the impressive Logan Flood and Dorus Du Domain Z, who secured the Category C title after a clinical display of horsemanship.
The results mark another successful chapter for Bermudian equestrianism, showcasing a healthy blend of veteran reliability and a rising generation of riders ready to test themselves on the international stage.
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Tuesday, March 31, 2026
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Bardgett & SCAD Claim IHSA Zone 5 Championship Glory
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Bermuda’s Kayla Bardgett produced a flawless display of horsemanship on home turf as the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) secured the IHSA Zone 5 Championship title in emphatic style.
In a high-stakes weekend of equestrian action, SCAD played host to 31 colleges from across the region, with the top five schools battling through specific team classes for a coveted spot at the IHSA National Championships. With the pressure of expectation on their shoulders, the hosts rose to the occasion, delivering a series of clinical performances to be crowned overall champions.
The individual spotlight fell firmly on Bardgett, who was among five SCAD riders qualified to compete in the individual classes. Competing in the Open Equitation on the Flat, the Bermudian standout faced a grueling test against ten of the region’s elite riders. The competition demanded absolute precision as riders were initially tested on the flat without stirrups, before a tactical reshuffle saw the top four selected to swap horses for a final round of evaluation.
Bardgett’s adaptability and technical prowess proved the difference, as she was named Champion in the Open Equitation on the Flat. The result secures her place at the IHSA Nationals, where only the top two riders from each zone are permitted to compete.
For Bardgett, the victory carried significant emotional weight, marking her final competitive appearance in the ring she has called home for the past three years.
"This is one of those moments I know I’ll carry with me forever," Bardgett said following the trophy presentation. "Closing out my last time competing in this ring was an extremely emotional moment. I’ve felt every ounce of support that’s carried me here. Every person, every push, and every bit of belief has led me to this."
With their Zone 5 title secured, Bardgett and her SCAD teammates now turn their attention to the National Championships. Having dominated on home soil, the team departs for the season finale with their hearts full of gratitude and their sights firmly set on national glory.
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Saturday, March 28, 2026
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Steele Shines in FEI World Challenge Second Leg
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The second round of the 2026 FEI Jumping World Challenge saw Bermuda’s elite equestrian talent return to the National Equestrian Centre, with a day of high-stakes competition at the Vesey Street stadium.
Under the standardized international format, riders were given another opportunity to combine two rounds of times and penalty faults as they aim for qualification for the global finals. The technical courses provided a stern test across all three categories, rewarding precision and composure over the jumping lines.
In the premier Category A (1.20m – 1.30m), JayLynn Hines asserted her dominance once again. Partnering with the athletic Toto D’ysenbeeck Z, Hines overcame a testing track that yielded eight penalty fault points. Despite the infractions, her aggressive pace resulted in a winning time of 66.03 seconds. Abby Bardgett, riding Causing Chaos, claimed second place with a total of 29 penalty faults in 67.69 seconds, while veteran Michael Rodrigues and Acoceto suffered a premature end to their afternoon following an elimination.
Category B (1.10m – 1.20m) saw Philip Correia continue his consistent form in the series. Navigating the obstacles aboard Poker Face, Correia accumulated 10 penalty fault points, but his efficient time of 73.72 seconds was enough to secure the top spot on the podium as he looks to build on his victory from the opening round.
The day’s most flawless performance came in Category C (1.00m – 1.10m), where Vicki Steele and Rambo delivered a masterclass. The pair produced the only double clear rounds of the division, stopping the clock at 68.90 seconds to take a well-earned victory. Logan Flood followed in second place with Dorus Du Domain Z, finishing with four penalty faults in 66.80 seconds, while Lily Butler and Farsi Forza rounded out the top three with 16 faults in 62.55 seconds. Further down the standings, Vee McKey on Harrison and Simone Sainsbury on Delta’s Roulete completed the top five in a division that pushed many combinations to their technical limits.
The Bermuda Equestrian Federation also hosted a Support Show
Click Here to see the Full 2026 Bermuda Equestrian Federation March 28th Support Show Results
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Thursday, March 26, 2026
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Waldron Delivers Solid Trio of Results at Hoosier Park
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Bermudian harness driver Kiwon Waldron enjoyed a busy and productive evening at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, securing three consecutive top-five finishes across a competitive night of racing.
Waldron opened his account in the first race of the evening behind the wheel of Megan Money. In a tightly contested heat, the pair crossed the line in 2:15.4 to secure a respectable fifth-place finish, providing a steady start to the Bermudian's card.
The momentum continued into the second race, where Waldron piloted Bos Taurus to a fourth-place finish. Navigating the Indiana track with precision, he stopped the clock in 2:01.4, missing out on a podium spot by the narrowest of margins in what was a high-intensity dash.
Waldron saved his best performance for his final appearance of the night in race three. Driving Wiggle Me, the Bermudian international found another gear to break into the top three, clocking an impressive 2:00.0 flat to claim a podium finish.
The consistent run of results further solidifies Waldron’s reputation on the North American circuit as he continues to be a regular fixture among the leaders at the Anderson track.
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