LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — For Ryann McElroy, a 17-year-old senior at Sullivan West High School—and the granddaughter of long-time board of education member Kathy Meckle—it was “love at second sight” when she fell for a Quarter Horse named Burt.

“I’ve always loved animals,” said McElroy, whose folks own Buck Brook Alpacas, along with other local businesses serving the area. She added that since about the age of five, she “knew riding horses was something I loved to do.”

Before transferring to Sullivan West in the fifth grade, the young equestrian attended the Homestead School from pre-K to fourth grade.

At first Ryann began riding at a stable in PA, but 11 years ago moved over to Diehl Me In Performance Horses in Callicoon, operated by Megan Diehl Blumenthal, for a program described on the center’s website as “riding instruction designed to meet the goals and needs of equestrians.”

“I started just riding horses in the barn, and six years ago got a Quarter Horse,” recalled Ryann.

Since deciding to follow her passion for competing in horse shows, the aspiring teenager has traveled all over the country. In 2021, she went to Oklahoma to participate in the American Quarter Horse Association’s World Show.

Last year, she competed in the Level I Championships, and for the second consecutive time, placed second in one of the classes, and landed in the top 10 in the other judging categories—all of which earned her a return ticket to attend this year’s World Show in August.

Growing up, Ryann had a pony named Sweet Pea, but after a while outgrew the little steed, and the search was on for a larger horse.

While at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress, which she called “the largest single-breed horse show in the world,” Ryann and her folks “started looking at a bunch of different horses.”

At first, she “fell in love” with a horse named Blueberry, but after determining it wasn’t going to pass muster, “I watched Burt show” and later spent time in the saddle. She finally decided he was the horse for her.

“After a little while, I knew Burt was what I wanted,” said Ryann, adding, “He has a lot of personality!”

During the COVID years, Burt and his rider “practically lived in the barn,” and after the quarantine was lifted and school reopened, it was back to the show circuit, where Burt “proved his worth time and time again.”

“He’s taught me so many things,” said Ryann. “He’s kind of a point-and-shoot guy; he just does his job.”

At Sullivan West, the young equestrian was a three-sport scholar athlete, competing in soccer, golf and indoor track.

In addition to a full load of sports, the soon-to-be high school graduate was a member of 4-H, FFA, student council and the National Honor Society.

David Eggleton, Sullivan West’s secondary school principal and former athletic director, said of Ryann, “Not only is she continuing her education career, but she also has all the other daily tasks that come with an equestrian team, and the extra responsibilities of taking care of her horse.” 

After graduating from the “Home of the Bulldogs,” Ryann plans to attend Alfred University and major in business administration with a minor in equestrian studies.

“So I’ll be in the barn and taking riding lessons, and in the classroom studying business administration,” she explained.

After college, she foresees a career as a trainer “teaching kids how to ride and work with horses.”

But back to Burt.

Asked what it was like to compete in the disciplines of Hunters and Western, where she is on both teams at the local equestrian center while getting ready for the upcoming state finals, she replied, “If you’re nervous, the horse can feel it. I’ve been all over the country, show at a lot of different shows, and I still get nervous.”

“You set the pace at the beginning of the circuit. If you feel confident, the horse feels confident. When you step into the arena, it all just kind of goes away; it’s you and your horse,” she continued. 

As for Burt, she said his reliability is steadfast. “He knows he has to do his job, and he helps me.”

It’s sort of a family tradition with Ryann, her father Justin and a horse named Burt, that after most competitions, her dad gives his daughter’s favorite horse a special peppermint treat.