Carlyn Burns and her pony, Mikey, competed in their last show together in September 2024, where Carlyn won the Equitation Challenge and was second in the Hunter Derby. Carlyn’s sportsmanship and dedication to her barn mates earned her the Connaway & Associates Junior Sportsmanship Award. The award was particularly meaningful as it marked the end of her three-year partnership with Mikey.
Carlyn’s family made the difficult decision to step Mikey down to an easier job following the show, as Carlyn was outgrowing him. Mikey had been a beloved member of the family since 2021, competing at Pony Finals in 2023 and 2024. Despite the sadness of parting ways with Mikey, the Burns family is grateful for the experience and the lessons learned from their time together.
The Connaway & Associates sportsmanship series has been expanded for 2025 to include five ExEL events, with the introduction of the Connaway & Associates Amateur Sportsmanship Award. This expansion aims to recognize and reward sportsmanship in equestrian competition, fostering a positive and supportive environment within the sport.
