USEF Pony Finals to USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships: Fuqua Doubles Down on National Titles
USEF Pony Finals to USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships: Fuqua Doubles Down on National Titles
EQUINIUM SPORTS _ Lexington, Kentucky (August 20, 2019) - Whether she's guiding her pony to a USEF Pony Finals National Title or showing a new Junior Hunter mount for the first time, Kat Fuqua has been doubling down on Championships this summer. With her 2018 USEF Pony Finals title to defend and jumping to new heights in the 2019 Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby, Fuqua and her mounts are making rhythmical strides in some of the most prestigious hunter events on the summer circuits.
Gearing up for USEF Pony Finals presented by Collecting Gaits Farm, Fuqua and Prestige, an 8-year-old Belgian Riding Pony known around the barn as Prince, secured back to back Grand Pony Championships at the Kentucky Summer Show and Kentucky Summer Classic in late July and early August. Prince began his career with Kat during the 2019 Florida winter season, where he was originally campaigned as a Green Large Pony. Because of his talent and composure under Kat's guidance, trainer Jimmy Torano and Kat's mother Shereen Fuqua were prompted to enter him in the Larges going into the spring, with Pony Finals as the end game.
Prestige has proved himself to be up to the "Large" challenge, and hasn't missed a beat or a Championship since April. Day two at USEF Pony Finals saw Kat and Prince named the Large Regular Hunter Pony National Champions out of 148 entries. Fuqua was late to go in the class and had stiff competition, including her former 2018 USEF Pony Finals Grand National Champion mount Brighton, now ridden by Samantha Takacs. But despite the pressure, Fuqua blew away both her trainer, Jimmy Torano of JET Show Stable, and the competition to secure the USEF Pony Championship title with a total of 1051.42 and ultimately Reserve Grand Pony Champion.
To double up on the back to back Championship titles at the ultimate North American pony event, Kat and Prince led the field throughout the 2019 Marshall & Sterling USEF Pony Medal to best more than 200 entries, adding equitation to her list of National Championship titles. In her transition from the Ponies to the Junior Hunters, Prince has been an ideal mount: "His canter is probably my favorite thing about him," said Fuqua. "He has a huge stride, and its very similar to my Junior Hunters. He is super sweet, loves everyone and really gave his all for me at Pony Finals."
"She's a freak," said trainer Jimmy Torano of Fuqua. " She's a real talent. She's got ice water in her veins. To come in and do what she did [in the Larges] was unbelievable. To win it last year, you go late, you've got your former Grand National Champion mount Brighton coming in behind you and to be able to nail it the way she did. It was unbelievable. During the Pony Medal, standing in the line up, the coaches here were all very nervous. But I was pretty confident she had won. She nailed the first round, and put in the second round flawlessly. There was one spot where she could've made an inside turn and didn't, but the round was beautifully ridden and so beautifully executed, I was sure she had won the class. Prince is a beautiful jumper, a beautiful mover, he looked like he was an equitation horse. As a Large Pony, there's nothing he can't do."
Fuqua also jumped Xia Tabanou's Quicksilver Bells to finish 3rd Over Fences and 3rd Overall in the Small Pony Hunter division at USEF Pony Finals. Bell was a catch ride for trainer Peter Pletcher. With USEF Pony Finals complete and with the addition of another National Championship to her extensive competitive pony resume, both Fuqua and Prince begin a new chapter in their competitive career: Fuqua headed off to the 2019 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships with a new Junior Hunter, and Prince will have a new rider and owner in Sterling Malnik of Palm Beach, Florida.
"I will miss Prince, he was a fantastic partner, but I'm looking forward to focusing more on the Junior Hunters in my 11-year-old competition year," said Fuqua. "I really am so grateful to my pony for Pony Finals, and to all of my family, friends, trainer, sponsors and supporters for carrying me here."
Changing leads from Ponies to International Hunter Derbies, Fuqua tested out her newest Junior Hunter, an eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding fittingly named Grand Remo. The pair scored 84 and 86 to take Reserve Champion. Finding their stride together, she and Remo won the Large Younger Junior Hunters the next day at the Bluegrass Horse Show, which runs in tandem with the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships. She also campaigned the elegant bay equitation horse Cornell 22 and chromey chestnut Junior Hunter Cupido Z to raise eyebrows as the youngest competitor against a field of primarily professionals at the Championships. Before USEF Pony Finals, Cupido Z was Champion Large Younger Junior Hunter and Grand Champion overall, all ages and all sizes at the Kentucky Classic Horse Show.
With her 6th grade school year commencing in her hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, the horse shows will have some serious competition from middle school as they head into the fall. Kat Fuqua's passion for horses is reflected not only in her highly decorated Pony Hunter, Equitation, 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 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.
