first published in the February 2022 Equiery

The Carroll County Equestrian Council (CCEC) named Stephanie Brennan and Mike Macella Volunteers of the Year for 2021. In addition, the pair also earned recognition by the Piney Run Recreation and Conservation Council for work on the trails at Piney Run and for installing a new bulletin board.

Brennan is a statistician for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and has lived in Maryland since 2014. Macella is a Maryland-native, and together, Brennan and Macella have been invaluable assets to CCEC. They have forged numerous relationships between CCEC, the local Lions Club, and local businesses that support the equestrian-use trails at Piney Run.

In 2021, Brennan and Macella worked with the Piney Run park rangers to install signage for the horse trailer parking area. Macella also designed, built, and installed a new information kiosk at Piney Run.

from the Carroll County Equestrian Council

Stephanie’s job as a statistician for the US Department of Agriculture brought her to Maryland in 2014. While Stephanie & Mike are relatively new members of the Carroll County Equestrian Council (CCEC), Stephanie has been involved with horses for most of her life. Her experience has ranged from showing hunter jumpers to Arabians and Saddlebreds, to competing in timed events like barrel racing. Stephanie was also a member of an equestrian drill team, and briefly dabbled in owning and racing a Standardbred. Mike, a native Marylander, and Stephanie’s biggest cheerleader, has supported her love of all things equestrian.

The duo is an invaluable asset to the Equestrian Council, taking on an active role and presence at Piney Run (undeveloped side, 440 Martz Road, Sykesville, MD). They have forged numerous relationships between the Equestrian Council, the local Lions Club, and local businesses in support of the equestrian trails at Piney Run. In 2021 Stephanie and Mike have worked with the Piney Run staff to secure and install signage for the horse trailer parking area. Mike has designed, built and installed a new information kiosk. They are coordinating repairs to trails with funding provided by the Equestrian Council.

Today, Mike & Stephanie enjoy riding their two quarter horses on all the beautiful trails Carroll County has to offer. They are both working hard to keep Carroll County an equestrian friendly place to live.