LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — “Ryann is an exceptional equestrian; she connects well with all her team members, is a wonderful addition to our program, and we are really excited to have Ryann on our equestrian team,” said Theresa Lounsberry, Alfred University’s hunt seat instructor/trainer and Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) head hunt seat coach. She spoke in a virtual signing ceremony at the Sullivan West High School library on Wednesday, May 7.

So with that announcement, the 18-year-old three-sport varsity scholar-athlete at the Home of the Bulldogs will join the ranks of the Saxons’ collegiate program in the fall after she graduates from high school on June 27.

In kicking off the signing ceremony, high school principal David Eggleton noted that the Alfred University equestrian team competes under the IHSA, which was founded in 1967 by Bob Cacchione as a nonprofit organization to promote the sport at the college and university levels.

In attendance at the event was Megan Diehl Blumenthal, a local equestrian coach and proprietor of Diehl Me In Performance Horses in nearby Callicoon.

“Since her first horseback riding lessons, I’ve seen her grow as an equestrian and athlete,” she said. “She’s an excellent role model, with poise and great leadership skills… when you’re working with animals, especially horses, you have to be hard-working, persevering and determined, because horses have minds of their own, which can be challenging.”

As an integral part of the presentation, Eggleton related brief comments from McElroy’s coaches to those assembled, which included a large contingent of McElroy’s younger horsewomen from the local riding center. 

Varsity soccer (Coaches Cummings and Brockner): “She is a positive individual who is kindhearted and respectful. During the season, she offered words of encouragement to her teammates and friends, both on and off the field. Her communication with not only the coaches but her teammates showed she was committed to the sport. Ryann was always willing to try new things and improve on her soccer skills.”

Varsity indoor track and field (Coach Diehl): “Ryann is an outstanding athlete and an even better person. She commits herself fully to her work and never gives up. She has always been someone I can expect to do the right thing, and she always has a big smile on her face while she is doing it. Ryann has the right mindset and work ethic to continue to grow as an athlete, and I can’t wait to see how far that will take her in her new ventures.”

Varsity golf (Coach Donovan): “Ryann has been a member of the golf team for the last two years. She has been a mentor to our younger players this year. Ryann is very well respected by her teammates and her teachers… is always positive and brings a smile with her wherever she goes. She surely will be missed here at Sullivan West.”

Kara McElroy, Ryann’s mom, said afterward, “We’re very proud of her. She’s very dedicated and committed, and spends a lot of time with her horse. She made a very strong connection when we went to the farm (at Alfred University) and their style of instruction… I know she’s going to get better.”

Her beaming father, Justin McElroy, added his two cents on his daughter’s equestrianism. “The entire experience has been excellent, from the first time she started riding at six or seven years old, to now, that she’s stepping it up to the next level, and hopefully make a career out of it.”

“It’s been great for us going to the shows, [watching] her get better and better,” he continued. “Sometimes going down and getting back up… there’s a lot to be said for that old saying. When you fall off a horse, you’ve got to get on, and she always does.”

On the eve of graduation with an advanced Regents diploma and a 4.0 GPA, Ryann McElroy has an extensive list of academic, extracurricular and equine activities to her credit.

“I’m extremely grateful for everything the community has done for me. Iit makes me feel the whole village is behind me,” she said.