Junior Hunters closed out the Stonelea Ring Friday at the Kentucky Summer Classic with the presentation of the Grand Junior Hunter Championship presented by Visse Wedell. The top honor was presented to the horse and rider combination that accumulated the most points over two days of competition in either the 3’3” or 3’6” sections of the Junior Hunter division. This week, it was Kat Fuqua and Cupido Z that reigned supreme.
Cupido Z, a 10 year-old chestnut Warmblood gelding, and Fuqua won both over fences of the Large Junior 15 & Under Hunters during the first day of competition with scores of 85 and 81, respectively. The duo returned for Friday’s classes with confidence, earning an 86 in the first round, an 84 in the handy round and taking second place in the under saddle class to clinch the championship for their division.
A notable name in the pony hunter ring, Fuqua has recently moved up to the Junior Hunter and equitation divisions with the guidance of Jimmy Torano. Fuqua still competes in the Large Green Pony Hunter division as she learns the ropes in the 3’6” ring, although she has taken to the junior divisions quickly. She and Cupido Z were recently champion in the Junior 15 & Under Hunter division at the I Love New York Horse Show as well as earning top ribbons at the USEF Junior Hunter National Championship – East Coast at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series. The pair plan to continue on to the indoors circuit this fall with the goal of competing at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair in 2020.
Hunters will continue to show in the Stonelea ring Saturday at the Kentucky Summer Classic with the Amateur Owner Hunters taking center stage throughout the day and will conclude with the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by World Equestrian Center/Kentucky Horse Shows.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE:
On her horse:
“Cupid is my Large Junior Hunter. He is a really big horse so he has a huge stride. He was amazing both days – we won all four over fences, so I’m really happy to be named the Grand Junior Hunter champion!””
On what’s next:
“We plan on going to indoors and continuing in the Large Junior Hunters next year and going to the Devon Horse Show as well. I also show in the Small Junior Hunters and the Large Green [Pony Hunter] division.”
On competing at the Kentucky Summer Classic:
“I love it here! A lot of my friends are here so it’s a really fun show!”