Versatile Kat Fuqua Earns Her Stripes …
Versatile Kat Fuqua Earns Her Stripes Once Again with Championship Catch Rides & Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Medal
EQUINIUM SPORTS _ Wellington, FL (November 25, 2019) - A Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Medal victory and Grand Champion catch rides were the the crowning achievements in the show year 11-year-old Kat Fuqua's Indoor and Championship season. Under the tutelage of trainer and coach Jimmy Torano of JET Show Stable, Fuqua proved her talent in the saddle by winning the Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Medal at her hometown horse show, the Atlanta Fall Classic, putting in Grand and Champion pony catch rides, and capping off her fourth year of success on the prestigious Indoor circuit.
At the Atlanta Fall Classic, Fuqua dominated the Large Junior Hunters and Equitation. She jumped to Champion and Reserve with Large Junior Hunters Grand Remo and Cupido Z, rode Chic in Time (aka Spicey) to Reserve Champion Large Pony and Champion of the Large Pony Classic, and won the Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Medal with Cornell 22.
"The call back for the Medal was very challenging; we were asked to jump without stirrups and perform counter canter to the first set of jumps and end with a halt and rein back to trot," said Fuqua. "I was proud to win and even prouder to have my trainer Jimmy [Torano] come to Atlanta at the '96 Equestrian Olympic Park. It made me feel really special and was one of the highlights of my year. Both the horses he selected especially for me earlier this year were Champions. He has a really good eye. I'm lucky and grateful to be Jimmy's student."
Following Atlanta, Fuqua returned to Wellington this past weekend to display her versatility in the saddle at the South Florida Hunter Jumper Association's 69th Annual Charity Show, where she rode two ponies, Galianna and Heaven's Gift, for owner Alexa Karet and renowned hunter jumper trainer Tom Wright of Uphill Farm. Despite never having ridden either pony before the weekend, Fuqua piloted Galianna to Grand Champion Pony and Champion in the Mediums, where they topped all of the jumping rounds and won the Medium Pony Classic. Heaven's Gift was also Champion in the Larges, with the pair winning the under saddle and three over fences classes. Fuqua was also named the Best Child Rider on a Pony for the 69th Annual SFHJA Charity Horse Show.
"It was an honor for me that Tom [Wright] called Jimmy [Torano] asking if I could show Alexa's top ponies in Florida," said Fuqua. "They are some of the nicest in the country, and to earn the Best Child Rider on a Pony was icing on the cake!"
Prior to her success in Florida and Georgia, and as a result of her qualifying her Junior Hunters and Large Pony as the best in the nation, Fuqua toured the trifecta of the indoor circuit: The Capital Challenge Horse Show in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and the Washington International Horse Show in Washington, DC.
At the Capital Challenge, Grand Remo and Chic in Time (aka Spicey) were 1st in the Hack with Fuqua. Spicey and Cupido Z were in the spotlight at Harrisburg, with the palomino pony finishing 2nd in the Under Saddle and scoring an 84 in the Stake. Cupido Z's first time in Harrisburg's indoor arena placed him 3rd in the Handy with an impressive score of 87. Last but not least on the indoor circuit, the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), also had Spicey finishing top 3 with an 85 in the Equitation and scoring an 85 in the Stake. As her fourth year at the WIHS, Fuqua was surprised to see herself and one of her favorite ponies, Goldhill's Arresting Charm, in larger than life banners throughout the streets of Washington, DC.
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 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.
