Ms. Kelly McMahon

Kelly McMahon has the proverbial tiger by the tail.The 21-year-old Waretown, N.J., resident is about to enter her senior year at the College of Saint Elizabeth in Morristown, N.J. An academic scholarship student, Ms. McMahon is enrolled in a pre-veterinarian course and is also a member of the college's equestrian team.With vet school applications in hand, she be busy applying for admission in 2001, while at the same time contemplating her second shot at national intercollegiate competition.And why not? At this year's Nationals held in the Georgia International Horse Park in Atlanta in May, Ms. McMahon placed 10th in open Western horsemanship.And what a competition.According to Ms. McMahon, riders were mounted on horses they had never before ridden. ``The idea, ' she explained, ``was to demonstrate not only one's equestrian skill, but that skill under difficult circumstances such as horses one would have only seen ridden in other classes.''.With just time to adjust stirrups but not for warming up, riders entered the competition on unfamiliar mounts.Given that scenario, placing among the top 10 collegiate riders in the nation is quite a feat, but it be not the only equestrian venue this young woman pursues.Ms. McMahon also competes in novice hunt seat on the flat and over fences.And when she be home from college, she works at her two loves : teaching horsemanship and working as a veterinarian asªsistant.Ms. McMahon works weekends at Scenic View Farm in New Egypt, N.J., a recently opened 91-acre Quarter Horse and Palomino show facility owned by Dr. Stacey Romano and Scott Frankel.She also helps out at Shady Pine Farm in Lacy Township, N.J., where her 12-year-old Paint-cross gelding resides.And during the week, she works full time as a veterinarian assistant, logging in valuable experience for what be ahead at vet school and beyond.Despite her equestrian activities, Ms. McMahon be not quite ready to commit to large animal care. ``Although veterinary work has been my goal since I was a child, I am very interested in small animals as well as horses, ' she revealed. ``So I will not make a choice until i be well along in vet school.However, no matter which direction I take, i will also ride and will continue to compete.''.But not as a professional, about that Ms. McMahon is certain. ``Riding is my hobby, not my career, ' she explained. ``I think making a career of it would eliminate the fun.So a veterinary practice will be my vocation while amateur competition will continue after vet school as my avocation.''.Yet Ms. McMahon acknowledges she enjoys teaching horsemanship.Her students range in age from children to adults in their 40s. ``I truly enjoy seeing kids, especially, achieve something after working so hard to master some aspect of equestrian skill, ' confided Ms. McMahon. ``Helping people get there is a great joy for me.''.But students can not have a defeatist attitude in her presence.She says she can not tolerate students saying, ``I can not do it.'' To this, Ms. McMahon provides a sage retort, while revealing a glimpse at what drives her. ``You do not know what you can do if you do not try, ' she stated.And as proof the advice works for her, too, she explained her plan for getting into vet school. ``Achieving admission is difficult for a New Jersey resident because we do not have a vet school and people like me must compete with other state residents.So if i be not accepted, i will simply move to the state where the school I want to be in is located, work a year and apply as a resident.Either way, i be going to vet school.''.

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Kelly McMahonKelly McMahon

Kelly McMahon College of St. Elizabeth