Bardgett helps SCAD to perfect ten with Florida victory
IslandStats.com
Kayla Bardgett and her Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) teammates have extended their incredible winning streak to ten, securing another dominant victory at an IHSA Regular Season Event hosted by Florida State University.
The "Bees," who have been the unstoppable force of the collegiate equestrian circuit this season, continued their relentless march toward the postseason with a display of poise and precision in Tallahassee. SCAD claimed the Champion title with a formidable score of 47 points, maintaining their perfect record for the 2025-2026 campaign.
Senior Kayla Bardgett proved once again to be a reliable point-scorer for the powerhouse program. Competing in the prestigious Open Flat Division, Bardgett navigated a challenging field to secure a fourth-place finish. Her consistent presence at the top of the leaderboard has been a cornerstone of SCAD’s decade-long dominance, helping the team stay well clear of their regional rivals.
The host school, Florida State University, put up a spirited fight on home soil to be named the Reserve Champion with 39 points. However, the gap to SCAD remains significant as the Bees head into the final stages of the regional schedule with their sights firmly set on another national championship run.
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Zuill & SomeGoldSomeWhere Clinch Champion of Champions
IslandStats.com
The National Equestrian Center on Vesey Street provided a dramatic backdrop this weekend as the Driving Horse and Pony Association hosted its prestigious Champion of Champions event. In a test of speed, stamina, and consistency over two grueling days of racing, Teshi Zuill guided Somegoldsomewhere to a hard-fought overall victory following a tense final dash on Sunday afternoon.
The competition opened on Saturday with several ponies separated by mere fractions of a second. Teshi Zuill set the tone early, recording the fastest combined time of the first day at 2:07/1. However, the leaderboard was congested, with Darico Clarke and Gold Rush sitting just two-tenths of a second behind at 2:07/3. The opening day also saw standout performances from Tahzii Flood and Candyce Martins, both of whom remained firmly in the hunt after clocking identical combined marks of 2:07/4.
Sunday's finale introduced fresh drama as the track conditions and fatigue began to play a role. Candyce Martins and Smart Machine, who had been among the favorites after a blistering 1:03/0 on Saturday, were forced to scratch from both Sunday dashes, ending their title aspirations. Tahzii Flood and Huntinforgold also saw their challenge fade after failing to start the final dash of the day, leaving the battle for the crown to a two-horse race between Zuill and Clarke.
Darico Clarke and Gold Rush put immense pressure on the leaders, clocking a solid 2:08/4 over the two Sunday heats to finish with a final combined time of 4:16/2. Knowing the margin for error was virtually non-existent, Teshi Zuill maintained a composed drive behind Somegoldsomewhere. Matching Clarke’s Sunday time of 2:08/4 exactly, Zuill utilized his slim overnight advantage to secure the championship by the narrowest of margins.
When the final times were tallied, Somegoldsomewhere claimed the top spot on the podium with an aggregate time of 4:16/0, just two-tenths of a second ahead of the runner-up Gold Rush. Xanaje DeGraff and Double Time showcased remarkable durability to secure third place overall with a final time of 4:20/0. Despite their late-session setbacks, Huntinforgold and Smart Machine were credited with fourth and fifth place respectively based on their completed heats, concluding a weekend that once again highlighted the high-octane nature of Bermudian harness racing.
Martins & Clarke Trade Blows Day 1 Champion of Champions
IslandStats.com
The National Equestrian Center on Vesey Street came alive as the Driving Horse and Pony Association hosted the opening day of the prestigious Champion of Champions harness pony racing. A high-octane program saw the island’s elite ponies and drivers battle for supremacy in a series of tightly contested dashes.
The first set of Champion of Champions heats delivered an immediate statement of intent from Huntinforgold, driven by Tahzii Flood, who claimed victory in Dash 1a with a time of 1:03/3. They were closely followed by Somegoldsomewhere and Teshi Zuill, who finished just behind in 1:04/0, with Gold Rush and Darico Clarke rounding out the top three in 1:04/3.
The momentum shifted dramatically in Dash 2a as Darico Clarke steered Gold Rush to a clinical victory, clocking the fastest time of the division at 1:03/0. Teshi Zuill and Somegoldsomewhere remained remarkably consistent to take second place once again in 1:03/1, while the earlier winner Huntinforgold finished third in 1:04/1.
In the second division of heats, Candyce Martins enjoyed a dominant afternoon in the sulky of Smart Machine. The pair secured a clean sweep, first taking Dash 1b in 1:04/4 before significantly improving their mark to win Dash 2b in a blistering 1:03/0. Xanaje DeGraff and Double Time provided stiff competition throughout the day, finishing as runners-up in both heats with times of 1:05/0 and 1:04/2 respectively.
Waldron Secures Race Win in Busy Night at Hoosier Park
IslandStats.com
Bermudian driver Kiwon Waldron made a successful return to the track at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, featuring in three of the fourteen races during a competitive evening of harness racing. The night was highlighted by a victory in the twelfth race, marking a significant result for Waldron against a tough field.
The evening began with a challenging outing in race seven, where Waldron finished in ninth place while in the bike of Shipshape, recording a time of 1:56.1. He showed immediate improvement in the following race, steering He’s Bubbly to a fourth-place finish in the sulky during race eight. The pair clocked a fast 1:55.0, demonstrating a competitive pace as they narrowly missed out on a podium spot.
Waldron’s persistence eventually paid off in race twelve. Partnering with Odds On Candy, he delivered a clinical drive to cross the line in first place, clocking a winning time of 1:56.2. The victory capped off a resilient performance from the Bermudian, who continues to establish his presence on the international circuit with consistent results across multiple races.
Monday, February 16, 2026
Waldron stays consistent at Harrah’s Hoosier Park
IslandStats.com
Kiwon Waldron continued his busy run of form as he returned to the track at Harrah’s Hoosier Park in Indiana for another competitive evening of harness racing. The Bermudian driver featured in two races on the card, securing solid finishes in both outings against a tough field.
Waldron first appeared in Race 3 where he was in the sulky of Odds On Candy. The pair showed strong pace throughout the mile, maintaining a steady position to challenge the leaders. As they turned for home, Waldron guided the horse to a third-place finish, crossing the line in a respectable time of 1:57&1.
The action moved quickly for Waldron as he immediately returned to the bike for Race 4. This time he took the reins of Straight Bet Babie, looking to build on the momentum of his previous podium finish. In a tightly contested heat, Waldron managed to navigate the traffic effectively to secure fourth place. The clock stopped at 1:57&2 as they finished just behind the lead pack.
While a victory eluded him during this session, Waldron’s ability to consistently find the frame highlights his growing reputation on the Indiana circuit. His performance at Hoosier Park remains a key part of his international campaign as he continues to test himself in the American racing scene.
