Ranney Senior Adele McKenna Signs with Texas A&M Equestrian Team

Ranney senior Adele McKenna of Rumson, New Jersey, signed papers to matriculate at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas starting in the fall of 2015 as part of its Division I Equestrian program. Texas A&M’s riding program is currently ranked fifth in the nation and competes in the Southeastern Conference. Adele has received an early decision acceptance and a partial scholarship to the university.

“Texas A&M is building its team and bringing in many great riders for the years ahead,” says Adele. “I know several people there and fell in love with the school when I visited over the summer.”

Adele began riding horses when she was 4 years old and started to enter competitions at age 8. Today, she competes as a Hunter Jumper with her horse, "Kocu Z" and trains with Max Amaya of Stonehenge Stables and Stacia Madden of Beacon Hill Show Stables, both located in Colts Neck.

“I couldn’t be more proud of Adele’s accomplishments since she began riding at Stonehenge Stables,” says her trainer Mr. Amaya. “I am thrilled for her to have joined the Texas A&M riding team. We wish her and the team the best of luck.”

Adele has been a member of Ranney School’s Equestrian Club since it began in October 2012. As part of the club, she has been volunteering at Sunnyside Equestrian Center’s Special People United to Ride program once a week for the past two years. Adele also participates in Ranney’s Environmental Students Taking Action Club.

Earlier this fall, Adele, along with her classmate Claudia Payor ‘15 (Atlantic Highlands), qualified to compete in the national ASPCA Maclay Finals, a national jumping championship that took place Oct. 28-Nov. 2 in Lexington, KY (see back story here). She enjoyed a successful 2014 show season. The 2015 equitation qualification starts at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida where she will spend three months training and showing while working with her Ranney teachers and local tutors to keep up with her school assignments and assessments. “My advisor, Mrs. Repoli, and the Upper School have been very supportive, allowing me to have a flexible schedule and to communicate long distance,” she says.

Adele says she is relieved and excited that her college search is done. “I know where I’m going and I’m excited to begin,” she says. In addition to riding for Texas A&M, she plans to major in economics.

“Ranney School takes pride in supporting its many students who pursue unique individual talents, such as our scholar-athletes and performing artists, many of whom require flexible academic schedules,” says Upper School Head Paul Zanowski. Adele, for example, has been able to work with her teachers and advisors throughout her time in the Upper School to ensure that her academic requirements are met while also being able to train, travel and compete during the school week.