Youth Awards

The Community Horse Youth Award is given to the junior exhibitor who has shown the best horsemanship and sportsmanship at an equestrian competition. This is the youth who is working hard with a great attitude. This junior is taking good care of their horse, cheering on their friends, and helping others. Want a free award for your upcoming equestrian competition in Connecticut, Massachusetts, or Rhode Island? Visit communityhorse.org/youth-awards.

yElise Foley won the Youth Award at the Massachusetts Horsemen’s Council (MHC) Classic Horse Show and Pleasure Finals held at Briggs Stable in Hanover, Massachusetts, on September 11, 2022. “What clenched winning the award for Elise was that she puts her horse first!” says Felicia Knowles, MHC vice president. Congratulations, Elise!

yAbby Miller of Uncasville, Connecticut, won the Youth Award on September 25, 2022, at the Ayer Mountain Farm Cross Country Derby. Abby was not a rider but a volunteer. All day she assisted horses and riders with a smile on her face. Abby says, “Crosscountry is exciting and I hope to compete in it one day.” Congratulations, Abby!

yKassidi Murzyn was the Youth Award winner at the Pony Club Rally/SECT Horse Trials on October 23, 2022. Kassidi is a member of Shetucket Valley Pony Club and was the stable manager, which is an unmounted member of the rally team. Teams consist of three to four riders and a stable manager. Teams compete in not only riding but also in horse management. Kassidi helped her team as well as members of other teams. Congratulations, Kassidi!

yFourteen-year-old Charlotte Behnke, of Higganum, Connecticut,was awarded the Youth Award at the New England Miniature Horse Society year-end awards banquet. This photo was taken last summer with Pecan Hollows Antonios Tomas, a.k.a. Tomas, a three-year-old Miniature horse. Congratulations, Charlotte!

Additionally, but not pictured: yScarlet Selby, 11, of Hope, Rhode Island, won the Youth Award at the Cornerstone Farm Schooling Show with Bubblicious. Congratulations, Scarlet! yJoanna Bell-Calado, 10, of Somerville, Massachusetts, won the Youth Award at the Knightriders Gymkhana, with Whiskey Junebug. Congratulations, Joanna!