Spring Rosettes: …Success for Fuqua at Tryon..
Spring Rosettes: Junior Hunters, Equitation, Ponies, & Jumper Success for Fuqua at Tryon Spring I - III
EQUINIUM SPORTS _ Mill Spring, NC (May 21, 2019) - When asked for her favorite moment of the spring circuit, Kat Fuqua of Atlanta, GA said: "Watching my trainer Jimmy [Torano] win the Grand Prix and jumped the last jump and threw his hands up in the air! I was just really really happy and proud because my trainer won the Grand Prix!" The Tryon Spring series featured a variety of tri-color ribbons, milestone rides, and memorable moments for Fuqua, who under the guidance of Torano and his team at Jet Show Stable jumped to championships and top placings in the Junior Hunters, Large and Small Ponies, Equitation, and Jumpers. Rounding out final preparations for the prestigious Devon Horse Show this upcoming Memorial Day weekend, Fuqua found one of her new favorite show facilities in Tryon International Equestrian Center, and in addition to her multiple ribbons was thrilled to watch Torano win the Saturday Night Lights Grand Prix during Tryon Spring III.
With multiple mounts in multiple categories, Fuqua began the Tryon Spring series with her Junior Hunters and Ponies: Calvaro, aka Elmo, won Junior Hunter Classic Champion during week 1, and Cupido Z was Junior Hunter Classic Reserve Champion week 1, and Reserve Champion Junior Hunter and Classic Champion week 3.
Her Large Ponies Chic in Time, aka Spicey, and Prestige, aka Prince, also racked up numerous wins in both the main divisions and the Large Pony Classics. Spicey was Large Pony Champion during Tryon I & II, and Reserve Champion in the Classic week 2. Prince, fresh off the Large Greens at WEF, was Large Pony Hunter Classic Champion all three weeks, and Reserve Champion Large Pony Hunter during Tryon I; Tryon III he was Champion Large Pony Hunter and Champion in the Large Pony Classic. Elmo and Spicey returned home during Spring III to rest before Devon.
Fuqua's newest mount, Cornell 22, also propelled her to top placings in the Equitation division. An imported 1.40M mount found in Europe by Torano, Cornell is Fuqua's first mount to compete in the MacLay, Washington, and Dover Medal qualifiers. The pair ended up 4th in the ASPCA MacLay and 5th in the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunt Medal Final Qualifier, just shy of the cutoff for the testing which allows the top 4.
Fuqua also showed a few horses for the Jet Show Stable Team, as well as a Junior Hunter mount for Redfield Farm. Changing gears to the Low Children's Jumpers, she finished 3rd in the Stake during Tryon II and double clear and 5th in the Stake during Tryon III aboard Danielle Torano's Chantara. She also jumped Halifax, a ride for Redfield Farm, in the Junior Hunters, where they took top ribbons for the circuit including second in the Junior Hunter handy week 1 and first over fences week 3. While JJ Torano competed in baseball during week 3, Fuqua rode his Quicksilver Belles to Champion Small Pony Hunter and Reserve Champion in the combined Small Medium Pony Classic during Tryon III.
"These three weeks were full of special moments, from watching Jimmy win the Grand Prix during Spring 3 to our exciting placings in the Equitation," said Fuqua. "Jimmy has done a lot for me, especially in improving my position and equitation. When I increase the pace I tend to lose my position. He's taught me to keep my body still but fluid, and to move with the horse. Really grateful to him, my parents, my sponsors, grooms, and the entire team at Jet Show Stable for all of our awesome experiences."
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 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 as a rising 6th 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.
