Rider Stories & Testimonials

Christine's Story — Following the Tale of a Star

Interview with Linda Martin, Program Director · Written by Cheryl Karoly, 2006

Before Christine Marie, there were Star Riders. Linda — the current Program Director of Star Riders — told us the amazing story of her daughter, and of the program that carries her name.

At 6 months old, Christine was starting to have severe seizures. When Linda took her to the hospital, she was told Christine should spend the rest of her life in an institution. She was diagnosed through MRIs with tuberous sclerosis — tubers develop in the body and in the brain, hardening and growing with age.

When she was 3 years old, Linda put her on the back of a horse. She realized that it was on horseback that she had the best communication with Christine. At 5 years old, Christine started to talk and sing.

When Christine was 16 years old, one of her two brain tumors grew. Hydrocephalus also developed, and a brain operation was done. About that time, Linda was introduced to the horse program at Easter Seals. Easter was the director of a program for other-abled children: an equestrian therapy program called Star Riders. Easter was also a cancer survivor. Unfortunately, the cancer in Christine had moved to the colon.

That is when the Make-A-Wish Foundation stepped in. Make-A-Wish sent Christine and her family to Hawaii so Christine could swim with her much beloved dolphins. She passed away in the year 2000. Christine Marie Martin died at the age of 19.

A couple of years or so after Christine's departure, the program was handed to Linda. Star Riders currently serves over 100 children, all on the shoulders of volunteers and grants. This is an equestrian therapy program, but it offers more social support than the world of academia. Before this happened, the program was renamed “Christine Marie's STAR Riders.” When asked how she could keep coming back to this, Linda gave a humbling answer:

“I see her smile on the faces of the kids. Sometimes when they give me hugs, she's there too. And I know she's up in heaven, looking down on us.”

— Linda Martin, Program Director

One of the first horses Linda bought, Mona Lisa, was actually purchased from a CSUMB student. Val is also a former CSUMB student, who came to the program years ago. Ida and Gary started riding with Linda and Christine when she was alive. There was a mutual bond, and they started going to classes together to learn how to work with their community and gained knowledge of what their children were diagnosed with. Although Christine is gone, there is always the hope for a better future.

📖 Read Christine's Story as a letter (PDF)

Faith and Lane's Story — Magic Taking on Reality

About Theresa and Brian Newbold's children · Written by Cheryl Karoly

About a year before, Theresa and Brian Newbold took their children to Christine Marie's STAR Riders. Faith and Lane had both been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, which means they missed developmental milestones such as crawling or tumbling. Lane was born 31 weeks premature, and Faith had hydrocephalus — increased fluid on the brain. Medically, neither of these children should be smiling, happy, walking children right now. If you go to the equestrian center, that is exactly what you will see.

After Faith's occupational therapist suggested STAR Riders, Theresa and her children met with some of the workers. Once the paperwork was filled out, Theresa started taking the children once a week. Within a month, Lane had started walking.

“This program is magical.”

— Theresa Newbold

Besides Lane walking, there were other benefits, more pronounced in Faith. She had greater trunk control, greater self-confidence, and she started to come into herself both physically and as a young lady ready to enter the world. Faith also found a friend at STAR Riders, by the name of Katie.

Faith loves all of the horses. She usually asks for Dolly, Star, or Gunner. Her favorite game is “Red Light, Green Light,” which is exactly like the game played in gyms or scouts — except on horses. When walking her, she kept asking to go a little longer. Asked how it felt to be on Gunner, she said, “it feels good.”

Faith was 4 years old then, and Lane 2. Miracles and magic still happen, if you know where to look. Faith and Lane's grandmother was also extremely involved in this program: on a plane, she sat next to a representative for an equine association in Las Vegas — and managed to procure the funds for a badly needed ramp. A warm and heartfelt thanks for that.

Norman's Story — A Letter of Support

By Norman Larson

I am writing in support of the Star Rider Horse Therapy program generously sponsored by Linda and Ray Martin for the developmentally challenged, injured, or afflicted in this area that utilize their facility for recreational and functional sport. As a co-sponsor of this wonderful program, the city of Marina should be proud of the accomplishments this program has afforded the many disabled students of Monterey County.

The horse is a means for social and therapeutic exchange between the child and the animal. In this therapy the horse acts as living therapeutic equipment: the movement characteristics of the horse are used as a physiotherapeutic tool. This movement provides many children the opportunity to be challenged through physical and sensory processes and provides input unavailable elsewhere. The result is best demonstrated by the children who have begun to utilize postural control to sit upright, balance themselves during movement, and to use both arms for coordinated movements not demonstrated elsewhere. It has provided children restricted to wheelchairs the opportunity to experience movement and increase stability and responsiveness to the demands of their physical environment. The movement of the horse has a calming effect on autistic and sensory-challenged children.

The program is administered by professionals dedicated to the children and the adults of Monterey County with special needs. They are well trained, educated, and compassionate in their efforts to provide opportunities to advance those most in need in this county. Ray and Linda Martin have a wealth of experience with the special-needs population and provide a safe and secure environment for growth and development.

📖 Read Norman's Story as a letter (PDF)

Ellie's Story — A Star Rider Miracle

By Ellie's mother

In August 2007 our little family moved to the Monterey area. Ellie was just 3½ years old — a resilient 3½, because moving didn't faze her at all. As soon as we were settled in, I began the daunting task of placing her in a pre-school and getting all of her services in place. She was eventually enrolled at AB Ingham, and at our first IEP in the new location I was introduced to STAR Riders.

I called the number I'd been given and talked to Linda Martin. She told me how and why STAR Riders came to be and the kinds of miracles that happen. I couldn't wait to get Ellie on a horse.

Our first few weeks at STAR Riders were… loud. Ellie had turned 4 but was only functioning at about an 8–12 month level. She was born with severe hearing loss, poor muscle tone and balance, and she could neither stand nor walk unaided. Let's just say that Ellie wasn't keen on the idea of riding, and I learned the meaning of tough love in no uncertain terms.

However, with loads of support and encouragement from the people at STAR Riders, we persevered and, after a month or so, Ellie relaxed into riding and really began to enjoy it.

“This is Ellie's third year at STAR Riders and, looking back, she's a different kid. She now sits tall and straight. She will ride for hours if you let her. She can now stand unaided and is walking unaided, and is beginning to use signs and to vocalize. She also smiles and giggles a lot and loves engaging the people around her. Three years ago I would never have imagined Ellie would be where she is now. She is definitely one of the STAR Rider miracles… and the story continues…”

— Ellie's mother

Cindy's Story — A Special Day Class at Gladys Stone School

By Cindy Diaz, special day class teacher, Gladys Stone School, Marina

My name is Cindy Diaz and I teach a special day class at Gladys Stone School in Marina, California. My class has been participating in the STAR Riders program for around 5 years. I have seen amazing progress with the children in my classroom, such as increased speech and language development, improvements in gross motor abilities, and a boost in self-confidence.

The children placed into my classroom have orthopedic impairments, hearing impairments, and are blind or visually impaired. One of my students who is totally blind loves to ride on the horse — it is his favorite day of the week. He loves to touch and feel the horse's mane and is very vocal when he is riding. Another one of my students came into my program not able to walk independently. She is now walking everywhere without the use of her walker. She is also now able to sit tall in the saddle. When she first started to ride she needed a lot of support, such as a special sheepskin blanket and full adult assistance to sit upright. Her father attributes much of her success to the STAR Riders program.

“As a classroom teacher for children with severe disabilities, the STAR Riders program has become such a rich part of my classroom curriculum. Linda and Ray Martin are very flexible and really work around our classroom schedule. Linda even loaned us one of the saddles and a helmet from the program to help acclimate the students before we started. My classroom at Gladys Stone School is very thankful that the STAR Riders program is available in our community.”

— Cindy Diaz, teacher

Lottie's Story — From STAR Riders to Mounted Patrol

From a STAR Riders volunteer alumna

I was writing because I wanted to thank you and Ray for the amazing experience and knowledge that you provided during my time with STAR Riders. Currently I live in Arizona and I work for the Scottsdale Police Department as an Officer. Recently I graduated with my certification for the Mounted Unit, and I currently work as a reserve unit for Mounted Patrol.

“During my time training with them I just felt so lucky to have the experience that I gained while working with you guys. The knowledge and skill that I obtained led me to be a highly sought-after candidate for the unit. I am the youngest and most junior officer to become part of the unit. I learned all the basics and more while at STAR Riders, and this led me to have a passion for learning more about riding and the world of horses. Thank you guys so much for such a wonderful time in my life. Without it, I would not be where I am today. I think of you often and have fond memories.”

— Lottie, STAR Riders volunteer alumna

Lottie's photos from her time with the program appear in our photo album.