Edited Press Release
May 27, 2023
Overall Small Jr Hunter Champion: Kat Fuqua & Consent
Overall Large Jr Hunter Champion: Paige Walkenbach & San Pedro 15
Devon Grand Jr Hunter Champion: Kat Fuqua
The juniors were riding alongside the pony division in the Dixon Oval starting Saturday morning at 8:00am. The junior classes were split between the 15 and under and the 16-17 divisions, and then split even further into a small and large class for both age divisions. Similar to the ponies, the riders were challenged to a two round competition that included the stake and handy for each respective division. Expected to perform to top hunter standards, riders were judged on their ability to communicate their mounts throughout each round. Their mounts were judged on several key points including hunting pace, movement, style of jumping, and manners. An overall solid body of work was the goal to accumulate the most points across both rounds in order to take champion honors. After stellar rides all day, Kat Fuqua was crowned the Overall Small Junior Hunter Champion as well as the 2023 Devon Grand Junior Hunter Champion aboard Consent, while Paige Walkenbach rode San Pedro 15 to the Overall Large Junior Hunter Champion honor.
Two other awards were also given out on the day. Ariana Marnell and Babylon won the Angelo Award and Avery Glynn was given the Best Child Rider on a Horse Award on Day Won.
Marnell on Babylon: “He was awesome. I felt a little pressure from last year because he was Grand Small [champion], so I just wanted to go out and be even better. He loves Devon.”
Fuqua on what she liked in particular about the course: “I thought the whole course was great, but I really liked the third line. It was a bending ten and I didn’t have to change anything or adjust, it was just nice and flowing.”
Walkenbach riding the course: “It was super fun. [San Pedro 15] is really green to the hunters; he just started last year. So I was a little nervous about how he would react, but he’s an amazing boy and I’m so grateful.”
Original press release from Phelps Media.
