Lexington, Ky. – July 31, 2020 – Hunter judging began at the Kentucky Horse Park at 8:00 a.m. Friday morning with the judge’s cards in the Stonelea ring focusing primarily on Junior Hunter competition throughout the day. Serving as the second day of junior division competition at the Kentucky Summer Classic, athletes and their top hunter mounts put their best foot forward as they vied for the division championships as well as the Grand Junior Hunter Champion title, presented by Visse Wedell. Awarded to competitors with the most points accumulated in either the 3’3” or 3’6” sections of the Junior Hunter divisions, it was a three-way tie for the overall tricolor between Ellie Ferrigno and Capitalized, Camryn Halley and Gabriel and Kat Fuqua and Consent, all finishing on a total of 40 points.
Ellie Ferrigno and Capitalized, Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
In the older section of the Large Junior 3’6” Hunter division, it was Ferrigno and the 11-year-old Warmblood gelding who topped the ranks for their combined efforts over fences and on the flat. Capitalized claimed second and third for his trips on the first day of competition, improving his scores to make a clean sweep in the three remaining classes on day two. The handsome gelding is a long-time partner of Ferrigno’s, claiming many tricolors with her throughout their five years of sport. Ferrigno and “CV” have their sights set on a championship during the 2020 Indoors Season, a goal that is not so far away considering their recently received Grand Junior Hunter Champion title.
Camryn Halley and Gabriel, Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
Halley and the 7-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Gabriel, have been partnered together since 2018. Together, they have found great success in the hunter ring, nearly sweeping the Green Hunter division at their last show at Fox Lea Farm for the “School’s Out” Classic in June. Their stellar performances in the older section of the Junior 3’3” Hunter division earned them two first place finishes over fences in addition to a second and third. To cap off their streak of excellent results, Halley and the flashy grey won the under saddle out of a competitive field.
Kat Fuqua and Consent. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
In the younger section of the Small Junior 3’6” Hunter division, 13-year-old Fuqua took an undeniable lead in the division with Consent, an 8-year-old Westphalian gelding that was previously campaigned by top hunter rider Kelley Farmer. Although Fuqua has only had Consent for a few short months, the dynamic duo did not miss a beat, winning three out of the four over fences trips and placing second in the under saddle. Fuqua was thrilled with the result, hoping to continue her success as she moves on to the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship and USEF Junior Hunter National Championship in the coming weeks.
Hunter competition at the Kentucky Summer Classic will continue Saturday, August 1 one of the hunter highlights of the week, the USHJA National Hunter Derby, set to kick-off at 7:30 a.m. in the Stonelea Ring. Pony hunters will take the spotlight Sunday, August 2 for the USHJA Pony Hunter Derby starting at 8:00 a.m. in the Rolex Stadium.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Ellie Ferrigno – Grand Junior Hunter Champion with Capitalized
Ellie Ferrigno and Capitalized
On Capitalized:
“This is Capitalized but I call him CV! I have ridden him on and off for five years now. He is like my perfect match. He has gone out on lease a few times, but each time he goes away he always come back to me! I was the first one that ever did him in the hunter ring in America so he is really special to me because he is one of the first horses I put together myself. I am really hoping to have a really good indoors season with him. I would love to be champion at Indoors because I think he deserves it more than anything. I feel like he is always there and he is the sweetest, kindest horse, so I would love to be champion with him.”
On being Grand Junior Hunter Champion:
“At any horse show it is really special to be Grand Champion. I have had him for so long so it makes it even more special with him because he is my partner in crime.”
On competing at the Kentucky Summer Classic:
“I think as the rules get updated and changed with COVID, they are doing an awesome job trying to be within the rules but still feel comfortable. I just feel like I am at the horse show with a few more rules, which I really like.”
Camryn Halley – Grand Junior Hunter Champion with Gabriel
Camryn Halley and Gabriel
On Gabriel:
“His name is Gabriel and he is 7 years old this year. He is a pleasure to ride, he is always a good boy and every time he goes into the ring he wants to win. I have been riding him for about two years now. We found him at a smaller horse show and he was doing the jumpers. The current owner said that he wasn’t really a jumper, so he offered us to try him. We tried him and we loved him so we bought him and started him in the 2’6” Hunters in Wellington. We will compete at Junior Hunter Finals this year! This is my last junior year so I am just going to show him while I have the chance and then hopefully he will find his next home.”
On being Grand Junior Hunter Champion:
“It is an honor. That is something that you always go into the ring hoping for and it just worked out that he was a good boy and it worked out! There is a huge team at Ashland and Barrett Farms that are behind Gabriel and I and they support us so much.”
On competing at the Kentucky Summer Classic:
“It is so exciting to be back here and showing again. I love showing in Kentucky – I show here every year and it is just really exciting to be back in the swing of things at this beautiful venue. Everything is run so well and I just want to say thank you to everyone that makes this possible.”
Kat Fuqua – Grand Junior Hunter Champion with Consent
On Consent:
“I got Consent in the middle of the Winter Equestrian Festival this year. He is a Small Junior Hunter and he is really special. We got him from Kelley Farmer and I have won a lot with him in the Small Junior Hunters. I started doing the International Derbies with him and I am doing Derby Finals this year. In my first International Derby with him I got an 88 and an 86 in the first round! I definitely want to place well and get champion or reserve at indoors this year. I would also love to be champion at Devon next year! Our next goal, though, is the USHJA International Derby Finals and USEF Junior Hunter Finals.”
On being Grand Junior Hunter Champion:
“It’s really exciting because last week he was also Grand Junior Hunter Champion, so it is special to be Grand two weeks in a row. Last year I was Grand Junior Hunter Champion with my horse Cupido Z, who recently passed away.”