2018 USEF Horse of the Year: Kat Fuqua's Triple Crown…
2018 USEF Horse of the Year: Kat Fuqua's Triple Crown Equines Lock in the Loot
EQUINIUM SPORTS _Wellington, FL (January 18, 2019) - The elegance and grandeur of the 2018 USEF Horse of the Year banquet, held at the West Palm Beach Hilton, was the icing on the cake for Junior and Pony Hunter rider Kat Fuqua. The 11-year-old, Atlanta-based equestrian took home accolades ranging from Leading Pony Hunter owner to Champion Junior Hunter. Joined by trainer Michael Newman and parents Jeff & Shereen Fuqua, she and a ballroom full of some of the most decorated US equestrians celebrated their 2018 achievements.
Fuqua's Finesse RF was awarded the 2018 USEF Horse of the Year Medium Pony Hunter Champion. Ladybug, as the pony is known around the barn, took Fuqua to top placings at just about every major horse show on the east coast. The chestnut mare also carried Fuqua to her debut silver screen performance, where the pair played a competition challenger for the protagonist of the currently in production Billy and Blaze movie.
Another of Fuqua's pony superstars, Brighton, was also given top honors, taking 2018 Grand Champion Pony and 2018 Large Pony Hunter USEF Horse of the Year, which is a reflection of his wins of Grand Champion Pony at the 2018 USEF Pony Finals and Champion Large Pony at the 2018 Washington International Horse Show. Brighton's win as the 2018 USEF Grand Champion Pony Hunter earned him and Fuqua the Farnley Miranda Trophy. Chic In Time, aka Spicey, finished third in the 2018 USEF Large Hunter Pony Championship. In her first year riding the division, Fuqua's mount RS Levitation, aka Jett, was named the 2018 Junior Hunter Small 15 and Under USEF Horse of the Year Champion. And finally, Fuqua's team of horses and ponies earned her the title of USEF Leading Pony Owner for 2018. All of Fuqua's ponies and horses were schooled, trained and shown by Fuqua herself, under the guidance of trainer Michael Newman.
The day after she and her family were recognized by the USEF for her accomplishments in 2018, Fuqua and her newest partner, Prestige aka Prince, were named the Winter Equestrian Festival Week 1 Medium Pony Champion. Brighton also took in the Large Pony Hunter Classic during WEF 1. "The US Equestrian Award banquet was amazing and it was awesome to be surrounded by so many of my show friends and amazing riders," said Fuqua. "It was a great experience and even better to go out and win another Champion ribbon during the first week of WEF. We are super excited for 2019!"
Kat Fuqua's passion for horses is reflected not only in her highly decorated Pony Hunter and Junior Hunter rider results, but also in the joy and dedication she shows each time she swings into the saddle. Based out of Atlanta, Georgia and under the guidance of trainer Michael Newman, every aspect of Fuqua's riding, training, and show career reflects a unique ardor for equines and horse sport. She balances her equestrian lifestyle with attendance as a full time 5th grade student and takes pride in developing alongside her horses. In addition to riding, Kat enjoys spending time with her school friends and her favorite subject is French.
