Harrisburg Hype: Fuqua Fields Ribbons & Press at Pennsylvania National ..
Harrisburg Hype: Fuqua Fields Ribbons and Press at Pennsylvania National Horse Show
EQUINIUM SPORTS _ Harrisburg, PA (October 17, 2018) - Kat Fuqua once again found her stride and in front of the cameras this past weekend at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. In the show ring, the recently turned 11-year-old had multiple top finishes in the Medium and Large Pony Hunters, as well as the 15 and Under Junior Hunters at the prestigious indoor competition. Fuqua was also the subject of a press push by local ABC Channel 27 News, who interviewed her and her equines as part of their coverage of the horse show. As one of the youngest competitors in her divisions, Fuqua is one of the top ranked Pony and Junior Hunter riders in the nation, and notched Harrisburg as the third show this year in which she has qualified to be in the top 25 ponies in the country.
Kicking off the show with her recent USEF Pony Finals Grand Champion Hunter Pony, Brighton, Fuqua rode to first in the Under Saddle and 5th, 6th, and 10th in the jumping phases of the Championships. #1 Ranked (as of October 8th) USHJA and USEF Medium Pony Hunter, Finesse RF, known as Ladybug, was awarded the 4th best mover at Harrisburg, a big step up from finishing as 6th at this year's Devon Horse Show, and also finished 9th in the Handy. Chic In Time, better known as Spicey, ribboned 9th in the Large Pony Hunter Stake, and, with top national junior champion Caroline Passarelli at the reins, finished 3rd Under Saddle. Both Spicey and Ladybug had never shown at indoors before.
Moving into the higher jumps of the Under 15 Junior Hunters and showing as a 10-year-old, Fuqua is the youngest to compete in the 3'6" division. She aimed to use Harrisburg as a building block experience towards the Washington International Horse Show at the end of October, and both of her mounts, RS Levitation, aka Jett, and Calvaro, put in exceptional performances.
"I was very nervous at Harrisburg, but thrilled I ribboned in all phases of the Championship with Brighton, he is amazing," said Fuqua. "I was also very proud of Ladybug and Spicey. They both jumped really big, and I'm proud to have taken them to their first indoors. For my Junior Hunters, I didn't go into the division with any expectations except to ride solidly and consistently, and I was able to do that with both my horses! One of my favorite parts of this show was doing my interview with Abby Berube on the Channel 27 Harrisburg News. It reminded me of performing in last week's shoot for Billy and Blaze, which featured both me and Ladybug. The feeling was the same in front of the cameras just being myself."
Fuqua's interview on Channel 27 aired Thursday evening, click below to watch the video!
Fuqua returns home to Atlanta to enjoy some downtime with school and friends, including an overnight school field trip to nature camp grounds in Mentone, Alabama. "I'm excited to spend time with my classmates," said Fuqua, who is currently in the 5th grade. Friday she sets off once again for the Brownland Fall Horse Show to compete her newest pony, Prestige, in preparation for his Green Large Hunter Pony year and show another of her favorite mares, Sasha Fierce, in the Medium Ponies. "Riding all different sizes and personalities of equines helps me to learn, and my goal is to be the best rider I can be."
As of October 8, the USEF ranks Kat Fuqua and her ponies as follows:
#1 Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under, RS Levitation
#1 Large Pony Hunter, Brighton
#1 Medium Pony Hunter, Finesse RF
#4 Large Pony Hunter, Chic In Time
As of October 8, Fuqua is ranked as follows in the USHJA Zone 4 Hunters:
#1 Junior Hunter Small Under 15, RS Levitation
#2 Junior Hunter Small Under 15, Calvaro
#1 Medium Pony Hunter, Finesse RF
#1 Large Pony Hunter Chic In Time
Fuqua narrowly takes second for the Leading Pony Hunter Owner, after finishing ranked #1 in 2017, while her ponies Finesse RF and Brighton are ranked Grand Pony Hunter Champion and Reserve Champion, respectively. Fuqua will wrap up October with her two Junior Hunters, two large ponies, and her medium pony champion in DC for the Washington International Horse Show Championships. In total Fuqua qualified seven mounts, 5 ponies and two horses, with two being sold last spring, and is looking forward to seeing them there with their new riders.
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 of Aubrey Hill Farm in Pensacola, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia, 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.
