By ALICE COLLINS/Jump Media
Germantown, TN — In September 2024, the Experience Equestrian League (ExEL) show at the Germantown Charity Horse Show grounds in Germantown, TN, was the very last for the partnership of 11-year-old Carlyn Burns and her beloved pony, Mikey. She knew she was outgrowing him, and the family had made the tough decision for the 18-year-old Mikey to step down to an easier job following the show.
It was a day tinged with sadness for Carlyn, but she made it memorable by winning the Equitation Challenge out of a field of more than 40 starters and was second in the Hunter Derby. It was not just her results in the ring that garnered Carlyn the Connaway & Associates Junior Sportsmanship Award that day; she was spotted in the barn helping her barn mates and supportively cheering them on ringside.
“This award will always have a special place in my heart because of the memories that are tied to it with Mikey,” said Carlyn, whose meaningful three-year partnership with Mikey was crowned by the sportsmanship award. “Being around horses has taught me a lot about friendship, responsibility, hard work, and dedication. It has also taught me to have patience. That can be hard when you’re out in the big arena, and it’s just you and the horse, but those moments are what has built me to be a better rider.”
It was exactly this attitude, positivity, and camaraderie that the sportsmanship award’s founding sponsor, Laura Connaway of Connaway & Associates Equine Insurance Services, Inc., wished to foster and reward when the series launched in 2024.
Carlyn’s mom, Anna Burns, said, “In this sport, we sometimes get caught up in the ribbons and placings. When we dismount, we are all humans who may or may not have had a good show. To be honored with a sportsmanship award means that you’re doing something right off your mount.
“This sportsmanship award meant a great deal to Carlyn because there are so many great competitors who have been in this sport for much longer and have much greater resumes. To be recognized for her actions outside the ring was such a surprise, and to receive the award on our last show with Mikey was the icing on the cake,” she added.
The Burns family lives in Oxford, MS, but Carlyn’s great grandparents own a farm in Alabama, and Carlyn was always keen to help out with the retired horses there. She begged for lessons, and Anna finally relented when Carlyn was seven. She went to local trainer Allison Estes, and just six months later, they were on the hunt for a pony. Anna found Mikey at a barn near Knoxville, TN. He had attended USEF Pony Finals when he was younger but had most recently been a lesson pony for local Pony Club riders. He sounded like the sweet, safe first pony the family was looking for. Mikey was 15 when the Burns family bought him in July 2021. Anna fibbed to Carlyn and got her to the barn under false pretenses on the day he was due to arrive.
“I tricked Carlyn into going to the barn and cleaning tack,” recalled Anna. “Once Mikey got off the trailer, we spilled the news that he was hers. Instantly, a friendship began. He was the kindest pony with her while she groomed. He would never act out, even when she bounced all over his back during the trot. When she needed to catch him in the pasture, he would see her and come over. They had a special bond.
“Taking care of Mikey became a family affair,” continued Anna. “My youngest daughter, Lucy, has cerebral palsy, and Carlyn helped Lucy become comfortable around him. Mikey was such a saint with her, too. At the end of 2022, we read an article featuring some ponies who attended Pony Finals, one of which was 18 years old. Mikey was 16 then, and we were curious if he could once again compete at the larger shows. We moved Mikey to Hunters Edge Stables in January 2023, and with their help, Mikey competed at Pony Finals in 2023 and 2024.”
After their wonderful competitive years together thanks to Carlyn’s dedication and the support of their barn family, the Burns family had to make the difficult decision to lease Mikey to a smaller rider — although he will never be sold.
“Closing that chapter with Mikey was one of the hardest decisions we had to make,” said Anna. “We knew Carlyn was getting a little too tall for him, and at 18 years old, I wanted to make sure we were doing the right thing for him and not pushing him too hard. Lots of tears were shed, but we are so thankful for our experience at the ExEL show.
“My husband and I try to teach our kids to always remain humble and to encourage and lift one another up. We love Mikey, but we didn’t win all the ribbons and tri-colors, so we knew what it felt like when you don’t have your name called. With that foundation of being grateful for opportunities, I like to think Carlyn looks for ways to provide empathy and encouragement to others. We are proud she was recognized with this award,” she concluded.
Expanded Series
For 2025, the Connaway & Associates sportsmanship series has been expanded to cover five ExEL events, and the newly introduced Connaway & Associates Amateur Sportsmanship Award will be presented at each alongside the Connaway & Associates Junior Sportsmanship Award. This brings the total number of sportsmanship awards to 10 at the 2025 ExEL shows at Germantown Charity Horse Show grounds in Germantown, TN.
2025 EXEL show dates:
- April 25-27
- June 19-22
- September 19-21
- October 31-November 2
- December 5-7
About Connaway & Associates Equine Insurance Services, Inc.
At Connaway & Associates, teamwork allows horse people to protect horse people. Since 1992, Connaway & Associates has built a strong reputation as a reliable partner in competition and in business. Connaway & Associates is licensed in 48 states and offers competitive insurance coverage options through several A-rated admitted insurance carriers. Connaway & Associates does the work so its clients can enjoy their passion for horses. For more information on Connaway & Associates and its offerings, visit www.connaway.net.
