Marth Carrellas competing in the 2006 Horse Show
50 People for 50 Years: Martha Carrellas
Martha joined Mane Stream’s adaptive riding program in 2000, when we were known as Somerset Hills Handicapped Riding Center. From day one, Martha was dedicated to being the best rider she could be. At that time Octavia Brown was still involved, Karen Bocksel was the Executive Director and Kathy Brennan was the Head Instructor. Martha remembers, “The new barn and indoor arena had just been completed. The outdoor ring was just a track in a field below where the current ring is now. In the early days, trail rides were always a favorite especially in the fall when the leaves were changing colors. Ride-a-thons were a means of fundraising back then, bringing together friends and the community.”
For Martha, Mane Stream provided the opportunity to return to an activity that she had loved for years, horseback riding. Due to her disability, Martha thought that riding was out of reach for her. At Mane Stream she found a wonderful place to meet new friends, riders, volunteers and staff. Martha’s dedication and perseverance to become the best rider she could be paid off through the years, achieving top honors (the Abby Clay Rutgers Memorial Award -High Point Independent Rider) at the Annual Horse Shows in 2009, 2011, and 2013!
Although a skiing accident in 2014 a skiing accident interrupted Martha’s riding schedule she returned to Mane Stream in 2020 she came back for physical therapy.
Over the years Martha has ridden many different horses, most of whom have been retired. Her first horse was Sweetie followed by Rocket, Dart, and Hat, but her favorite of all was Anneliese. She was one of the first Fjord horses at Mane Stream. Martha reflects, “Anneliese and I were a team, she was a great worker and we had fun doing dressage patterns in class and at horse shows.”
Martha watched SHHRC grow over time to evolve into Mane Stream today - she was part of the drill team for the ribbon cutting ceremony of the current facility. Always a part of the Mane Stream community, Martha and her husband Steve have attended many fundraisers over the years. Martha sends “Congratulations on the first 50 years, may the next 50 be just as bright.”
