Connaway & Associates Champions Team Spirit With Special Award at 2025 FEI North American Youth Championships

At the 2025 FEI North American Youth Championships (NAYC), which ran July 29 to August 3, at Traverse City Horse Shows’ Flintfields Horse Park in Traverse City, MI, teams in both dressage and jumping were rewarded for their positive, collaborative attitude and sportsmanship. The Connaway & Associates Equine Insurance Services Team Spirit Award was given to the combined dressage young rider team of Region 1/8 and the jumping junior team from Zone 5. Both teams demonstrated exemplary comradeship and unity as they cheered each other on.

The award at NAYC recognizes and rewards outstanding team camaraderie and horsemanship among the continent’s top young jumping and dressage riders who compete across the youth divisions. The Team Spirit Award, now in its second year, was decided by competition officials, stewards, and coaches throughout the week.

Neither team presented with the Team Spirit Award finished on their respective podiums, but Laura Connaway of Connaway & Associates founded the award as recognition for athletes’ exemplary attitudes — often laid bare when things do not go to plan.

Connaway & Associates was also recognized as the sponsor of the NAYC Golf Cart Parade, one of the most fun, creative, and celebrated parts of the event. Competitors decorated their golf carts and dressed in themed costumes to represent their Zones and Regions while getting to know other young equestrian athletes from across the continent.

Jumping
The junior jumping team from Zone 5 was led by Chef d’Equipe Jennifer Nadalin and made up of Estella Bonanni (Kingsley, MI) on Lilly Pezy, Rebecca Gutstein (Glencoe, IL) on Get Go, Luke Rinehart (Westfield, IN) on Captain America 10, and Izzy Beisel (Goshen, OH) on Diaz Barbotiere. They were chosen for the Team Spirit Award based on observations from officials that they were always ringside — either at the in-gate or the kiss-and-cry — cheering on every member of their team.

“Our team was thrilled to receive the Team Spirit Award,” said 17-year-old Bonanni. “It is an honor that truly reflects our mutual support. In a sport that requires intense focus, trust, and mental resilience, having strong team spirit is essential. It not only boosts our confidence but also helps us stay motivated and positive, even during challenging moments.

“Celebrating each other’s successes and encouraging one another creates a powerful bond that enhances our performance and enjoyment of the sport,” she continued. “This award is a testament to how teamwork and mental strength go hand in hand in keeping us in the right state of mind to help us compete at our best.”

Chef d’Equipe Nadalin added, “It was such an honor to win the Team Spirit Award. Everything we do is always about being a team, whether it’s just with your horse or with other riders in the zone. It’s one of the highest accolades, and I couldn’t be prouder. At NAYC, the stabling, the footing, the courses, the social events, and the weather were all spectacular. On top of the hard work, we all had a lot of fun, and I’d like to sincerely thank Connaway & Associates for sponsoring the Team Spirit Award — it’s so important.

“On Friday, our team had a few hiccups in the ring, but when they went back in for the final, everyone had great rounds, and they were all there to cheer each other on,” she added. “They all helped and supported each other at the barn and at the ring the whole week. It came down to winning the moment — not the day — and I was super proud of how the team rallied. These talented, hardworking kids showed great spirit.”

Dressage
The combined winning young rider dressage team made up of athletes from Region 1 and Region 8 was composed of Ava Noone (Gibsonia, PA) on Gucci, Quentin Sloan (East Greenwich, RI) on Finn, and Georgia Brame (Madison, NC) on Hot Date, with Debbie Delgiornio as Chef d’Equipe.

USEF High Performance Pathway Development Advisor and Youth Coach George Williams and USEF Director of Dressage Development and Emerging Programs Sarah Hollander chose the Region 1/8 team for the Connaway & Associates Team Spirit Award. They noted that the team was always there to cheer on and support their teammates, and the athletes extended the same sportsmanlike attitude to opposing teams.

“Our young rider team truly embodied the meaning of team spirit,” affirmed Delgiornio. “Although we began as a combined team of three and faced the disappointment of Ava’s horse being unable to continue after some irregularity in the Team Test, our athletes never missed a beat.

“They rallied together with unwavering positivity and support — not just for each other, but for many of their fellow competitors. Quentin, though officially from Region 8, has become part of the Region 1 family through his years as a groom in New Jersey and Virginia, and the team was thrilled to have him competing alongside them this year. Their bond, resilience, and sportsmanship were remarkable, and I’m incredibly proud of all they represented at NAYC.”

Highlighting the positives of the team’s NAYC experience, the 20-year-old Sloan concurred, “While none of us placed in the ribbons as a team or individually, we supported not only each other throughout, but other teams and regions alike. I think that the true DNA of NAYC is the team foundation and support network that it gives you. The selflessness of everyone on the team created a friendship and mutual respect that will last a lifetime, so it means a lot to earn the Connaway & Associates Team Spirit Award this year.”

Despite Noone’s personal disappointment, she felt buoyed by her teammates. “What really set our team apart was how we came together through the highs and lows,” added the 18-year-old. “It was special to see how the three of us supported each other even though we had just met. Being eliminated was incredibly tough, but my teammates showed up for me. Even through some mentally challenging moments, we made time to enjoy things like lunches together and walking our horses late at night. I truly made some new best friends at NAYC, and I’m so proud that we earned the Connaway & Associates Team Spirit Award.”

“At Connaway & Associates, we believe that the heart of equestrian sport goes far beyond scores and ribbons,” said Laura Connaway of Connaway & Associates Equine Insurance, Inc. “It’s inspiring to see these young riders lift each other up, care for their horses with dedication, and embody the true spirit of our sport. Sponsoring the Team Spirit Award again at NAYC is our way of honoring the values we hold dear — mutual support, sportsmanship, horsemanship, and a positive attitude both in and out of the ring.”

The NAYC, which operates under FEI rules, is the premier competition for young riders in North America, showcasing the best of youth talent in dressage and jumping. It gives participants the opportunity to compete against their peers in a format similar to international senior championships.

For more information about Connaway & Associates and its involvement in equestrian sport, visit www.connaway.net.

--------
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