Conner, also known as Conner’s Boy, is a stunning 11-year-old Holsteiner. He’s owned and adored by Sydney Woodroof, who rides at Newman Equestrian in Atlanta.
At first, Conner was a bit shy—but over time, his sweet nature and goofy quirks have made him a barn favorite. He’s the kind of horse who quietly wins you over. One of his most charming traits? His love for dogs. Sydney’s dog Oscar often strolls up to Conner, completely unaware of his size difference, and Conner gently lowers his head to sniff him. It’s a scene that melts hearts every time. He also seems to enjoy watching TV—at Terra Nova, he would peek out of his stall to watch the Grand Prix on the barn televisions. A true fan!
When asked about her favorite memory, Sydney finds it hard to choose just one. But topping the list is their time together at Capital Challenge, where they won the 16-year-old equitation flat class and placed 10th in the JumpSeat Finals flat phase with an 85. “It was such a special week,” Sydney says. “We had been working toward it for so long. Conner knew he had won—he always wants to win.”
Their story began in Aiken. At first, Sydney didn’t think Conner was the right fit, but when plans changed, they leased him for the weekend—and he was perfect. That weekend, he qualified Sydney for the Hamel Finals at The National. With just two months of partnership under their belts, Conner—who had never done equitation before—tackled the Medal course at Hamel Finals with confidence. Sydney knew he was the one. They bought him soon after, and he’s been the heart of the family ever since.
Their favorite treat? Conner isn’t picky—he likes just about everything except bananas. He’s so gentle when taking treats that people are often surprised by his soft mouth and manners.
Sydney has grown up around horses—her mom rode, so summers were spent at pony camp and local shows. She leased her first pony in 2018 and moved up to horses in 2021 with her first horse, Benny. Riding has always been more than a sport for her; it’s about building a deep connection. “They’re way more than just a teammate. When they love their job, they’re so fun to work with.”
And as for Conner? He’s helped Sydney rise faster than she ever imagined. He’s beloved not just by her, but by the whole family. In fact, there’s a running joke in the barn: Sydney’s mom might just love Conner more than any other horse—or even more than Sydney herself!
Karinda K. is a Houston, TX based equine photographer that travels around the United States photographing equestrians and their horses. Karinda specializes in Outdoor Horse & Rider Portrait sessions that bring to life the magical relationship equestrians share with their horses, Senior Portraits, and Fine Art Black & White Background Portraits for those that want a piece of art featuring their very own animals.
Interested in Reserving a Portrait session? Schedule an Info Call Here.
Portraits for Charity was an idea Karinda dreamt up to help give back to families impacted by Childhood Cancer in memory of her husband’s sister Jessica.
If you are interested in having Karinda attend your event and host a Portraits for Charity day, send an email to equine@karindak(.)com.
Need to Contact Karinda? Email us at equine@karinda(.)com or call us at (8 3 2) 598-8715
Information shared in this blog is based on information collected at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, if for any reason this information is incorrect and you would like your horse’s blog post updated, please notify us via email.
