Multi-Dimensional Fuqua's 2021 Kick-Off…
Multi-Dimensional Fuqua's 2021 Kick-Off: Great Charity Challenge & Multi-Discipline Success
EQUINIUM SPORTS _ Wellington, FL (February 12, 2021) - Few riders can claim success across the top levels of multiple disciplines. From raising money for COVID relief and Horse of the Year Championships in 2020 to a top 3 FEI dressage national ranking and a first ever outing in the Low Junior Jumpers, Kat Fuqua's versatility in the saddle is unique among her age group and her level of competition. Building on a strong training foundation, Fuqua seamlessly transitions from FEI level dressage to the equitation, hunter, and jumper rings and back, and most recently to a Mr. Incredible costume to raise money for the Great Charity Challenge, giving multi-dimensional depth to the young equestrienne's profile.
Fuqua joined her teammates Sophia Choti and Audrey Schulze to represent the Wellington PTA/PTO/PTSA in the 2021 Great Charity Challenge (GCC) on February 6, 2021. Dressed as Disney's super hero family 'The Incredibles,' their team finished 8th in the show jumping relay format event, scoring $55,000 for their charity. Fuqua's philanthropic GCC ride comes on the heels of a winning start to WEF 2021, where she and her 2012 Westphalian gelding Consent were Champion Small Junior Hunter Under15 at both WEF 2 & 4, with sky high scores: 90, 87, and 85. With Grand Remo, a 2011 KWPN gelding, she was Champion in the Large Juniors with scores of 88, 88, and 87. Fuqua's newest equitation horse, a 2008 Belgian Warmblood gelding named Itteville, scored an 86.25 for 7th overall in the WIHS Equitation an a 7th in the Maclay. Fuqua has her sights set on the Maclay Finals with Itteville.
WEF 2021 has also marked Fuqua's first true foray into the jumpers, where she rode Karina R, a 2009 CDE mare, to top finishes in 1.20M-1.25M classes. At the suggestion of trainer Jimmy Torano of JET Show Stable, Fuqua and Karina R debuted at the Low Junior Jumpers during WEF 1 & 2, with the goal of perfecting her equitation and expanding her equestrian profile. In her first major jumper classes, Fuqua & Karina R finished 7th & 8th in two $1500 Low Junior 1.20M classes, and 4th and 5th in two $10,000 NAL Low Junior Classic out of 42 competitors.
Not content with success in only the hunter and jumper ring, Fuqua began an FEI dressage career. In 2020 she teamed up with the recently imported 2008 KWPN mare Dream Girl (Spielberg x U-vira), and under the guidance of Jason Canton, ranked 3rd in the country at the USEF Festival of Champions after just 4 shows in the FEI Children's Dressage and First through Fourth Level. With scores in the 70s, she and Dream Girl also earned their USDF Bronze Medal, and are just one score shy of earning their Silver after competing at the FEI Prix St. Georges level.
With 2020 drawing at a close, Fuqua also racked up numerous USEF Horse of the Year (HOY) awards in January, and kicked off a series of wins with her new equitation horse. Consent was 2020 USEF Horse of the Year Grand Champion Junior Hunter 15 & Under and Horse of the Year Champion Small Junior Hunter. Grand Remo won both 2020 USEF Horse of the Year Champion Large Junior Hunter and Horse of the Year Reserve Champion Junior Hunter. At the 2020 National Horse Show, Kat also cleaned up in the hunters, taking National Grand Junior Champion, Large Junior Champion 15 & Under, and Small Junior Champion 15 & Under.
Kat Fuqua's passion for horses is reflected not only in her highly decorated, multi-discipline 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 Jimmy Torano, 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 7th grade student at Holy Innocence Episcopal School 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.
