Fuqua Springs to Pony Derby & Circuit Champion..
Fuqua Springs to Pony Derby and Circuit Championship, 3'6" Junior Hunter Victory in Aiken
EQUINIUM SPORTS _ Aiken, North Carolina (May 1, 2018) - From the pony derby, to the pony circuit championship, to the 3'6" Junior Hunters, Kat Fuqua continues to deliver impeccable rides and impressive victories in every division she enters, this time taking her winning style to the Aiken Spring Classic, held at Highfields Events Center in Aiken, North Carolina. At ten years old, Fuqua is a decorated small, medium, and large pony athlete, and has also struck out in the Junior Hunters with spectacular results. She and her three mounts, Finesse RF (Ladybug), Chic in Time (Spicey), and RS Levitation (Jett), bested not only some of the top pony competitors in the region, but also some of the top 3'6" hunters.
Hosted by Progressive Show Jumping, the USEF premier rated show's double weekends saw Fuqua top the $1,500 Pony Hunter Derby featured a field of 15 pony hunter competitors. Fuqua guided her two ponies, Finesse RF and Chic in Time, over the pony derby course. Finesse RF, known around the barn as Ladybug, certainly seemed to know her job, jumping to a double score of 79 in the first and second round. Chic in Time, known as Spicey, topped the second with a score of 84, but a slight distance hiccup cost the palomino pony the championship to his steadfast barnmate. To make sure Ladybug didn't steal all of the limelight, Spicey captured the title of Pony Circuit Champion with the highest points of any pony, an accomplishment made even more impressive by his limited show schedule for the weekends. Spicey was also crowned the Champion Large Pony for the second weekend he participated in the competition at Aiken. Ladybug was also Reserve Champion Medium Pony both weekends.
With the pony victories well in hand Fuqua turned her attention towards the next challenge of her show career, the 3'6" Junior Hunters. The highly competitive class challenged Fuqua to step up her game as she stepped into the irons; after a few top placings during week one, Fuqua and Jett relaxed into their job resulting in a first round victory. The class also pitted her and RS Levitation against a new breed of competition including one familiar adult amateur and his hunter stallion.
"The Junior 3'6" was the most challenging and competitive class of the show," said Fuqua. "The course was huge and intimidating, and I was very proud to have gotten a first with Jett. I'm very happy with him, and riding with the other top competitors was exciting. My new show vet, Dr. Jim Hassinger, showed in the class as an adult amateur, and his stunning black stallion was Reserve Champion in the division. I'm also very thrilled with both ponies; Ladybug is just so consistent for me, she's steady and perfect. Spicey had to put up with a few of my mistakes, but shone through it all anyway."
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, 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 4th grade student and takes pride in developing alongside her horses.
