By Jennifer Wood, Kim Beaudoin, and Sabrina Brashares for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Junior Hunter riders entered the Rost Arena on Saturday morning to compete for the tricolor ribbon in the Small Junior Hunter 3’6” 15 and Under division. Kat Fuqua, of Atlanta, GA, and her own Consent bested a field of 10 competitors to earn the top prize for a second week in a row. The duo ended the division with a total of 30 points.

Fuqua and Consent, a nine-year-old Westphalian gelding by Los Angeles, have been developing their relationship for the past year. Trained by Jimmy Torano, the pair has already earned many top ribbons, including the championship honors during Week 2, Week 4, and Week 10 of WEF in 2021.

“We got Consent about this time last year and started competing in the Junior Hunters,” explained Fuqua. “He’s been really special to me because he came from Kelley [Farmer], and we love her, and my trainer has done such a good job helping us connect. He is definitely the sweetest horse in the barn, and he was [USEF] Horse of the Year [Grand Champion Junior Hunter] in 2020 which was amazing.”

Fuqua’s smooth ride and Consent’s beautiful form resulted in the pair receiving a high score of 92 on Saturday to win an over fences class. The combination also won two other classes as well as a seventh place finish in the under saddle.

“He felt great today,” described Fuqua. “I had a little mistake in the handy round yesterday so I redeemed myself today!”

After WEF, Fuqua is planning on gearing up for Devon and indoors with the gelding. Along with Consent, Fuqua has several other mounts in different disciplines that she is looking forward to showing this summer.

“I have my jumper Karina R, who I show in the Medium Junior Jumpers, my other hunter Grand Remo, and my equitation horse Itteville,” said Fuqua. “I also started dressage a year ago. My mom and dad were both grand prix dressage riders so they have always helped me on my hunters, but we actually got a dressage horse. We are currently competing in Prix St. Georges and plan to do a couple finals this summer!”

Ella Bikoff piloted Bikoff Equestrian LLC’s Everwonder to reserve champion in the division. Bikoff, of New York, NY, and Everwonder earned a first, second, two thirds, and a fourth place ribbon for a total of 22 points.