One Last Roar: Sinead O'Sullivan, Riding

"One Last Roar" is a series that will recognize the accomplishments of the senior student-athletes at Mount Holyoke College graduating during the 2020-21 academic year. From now until May, read about our senior student-athletes as they reflect on their careers as members of Lyons Nation. Make sure to check out Mount Holyoke College Athletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see photos of their top memories with their teammates over the past four years.

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Senior Sinead O'Sullivan (Worcester, Mass.), a Psychology and Sociology double major and varsity hunter seat student-athlete at Mount Holyoke College, will graduate at the completion of the Spring 2021 semester.

O'Sullivan helped the team to their third-consecutive High Point College Title by winning the first section of Crossrail classes in March 2020. O'Sullivan also aided the team to a fourth-place finish at the Winter Tournament of Champions in South Carolina by securing second place in the Novice Equitation on the flat. O'Sullivan earned second place in the Walk-Trot-Canter at the 2019 Zone 1 Championship Finals. In 2018, O'Sullivan aided the team in a High Point College Title by winning the first section of the Advanced Walk-Trot-Canter. O'Sullivan was a four-time recipient of the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) National All-Academic Award, and landed on the First Team all four years, which is presented to IHSA members that obtain a GPA of 3.8 or higher. O'Sullivan has also served as an Admission's Fellow for the Equestrian Center.

From Head Mount Holyoke Equestrian Coach, C.J. Law:

"Sinead O'Sullivan has been an asset to the Mount Holyoke College Varsity Hunter Seat Team as a rider and Equestrian Center Admission's Fellow. She is a student that stands out among all the students I have taught over my many years. She is a rider and a student that I can truly rely on for her riding abilities and exceptional work ethic. She has been extremely competitive in the show ring and has won many blue ribbons for the team. She is a pleasure to work with over her four years at Mount Holyoke College. She will be dearly missed!"

More about Sinead...

Overall, share a few sentences about your time as a student-athlete at Mount Holyoke College. How has your experience as a student-athlete helped develop you into the person you are today?

Being a student-athlete at Mount Holyoke has been an extremely formative part of my college experience. It has helped develop me into someone who has a strong sense of who they are and how their voice can contribute to a conversation. It has given me a strong work ethic and an appreciation for how much can get done when we work as a cohesive group. Ultimately, being a student-athlete has helped me maintain balance among the different parts of who I am and how I want to use my interests and skills to engage with the world.

What were some of your favorite memories as a member of your team?

While I have many fond memories in the saddle and the show ring, my most memorable moments were with my teammates; tired and eating pizza after home show set up, driving minivans through Savannah during tournaments, going on evening runs as an excuse to talk about our week, and hunkering down in Clapp to study by a fake fire on the projector. I have been able to find light in many difficult moments thanks to folks I have met through this team and I am incredibly grateful for that.

What are your plans following graduation?

After graduating I am hoping to start a research assistant position working in a clinical psychology lab or in a public health policy setting before applying to Ph.D. programs in a couple of years.

Who have been some of your biggest supporters during your time at Mount Holyoke College? This can be anyone (i.e. family, friends, professors, coaches, etc.)

Of course, my family always showed me unwavering support and encouragement. Ann Tripp and Dale Perkins always helped fuel my passion for the equestrian sport and I am forever grateful. Of course, CJ Law has been a huge part of my Mount Holyoke experience and has helped me immensely in my riding and broader work ethic. My best friend and teammate Haluwa Jefwa has been one of my biggest supporters and one of the most incredible things I have gained from the equestrian team. Professors Cassandra Sever, Jaquelyne Luce, and Becky Wai-Ling Packard have been extremely influential at different times in my academic path and have helped me connect my many interests.

What is your favorite Mount Holyoke tradition?

One of my favorite Mount Holyoke traditions would have to be Mountain Day just because I love any opportunity I can get to spend some time outside. However, my all-time favorite tradition happens to be an MHC equestrian-specific one is bigs and littles. I loved having someone to turn to as a first-year and have loved even more sharing my love of MHC and the team with a new student and getting to know someone who I wouldn't have otherwise gotten close with.

Any words of advice you have for the future student-athletes of Mount Holyoke College?

The biggest piece of advice I can give is to lean on your team, these are some of the people that can really understand where you're coming from. Your teammates and coaches are there for you 100% and don't take that for granted. Take advantage of every minute you have, remain focused, but also give yourself time to have fun and appreciate the less serious moments you get to share with the incredibly talented people around you.