SIRE, Houston’s Therapeutic Riding Centers

We are pleased to announce that Suzanne Hinds and Fred Arnold have been appointed to SIRE’s Board of Directors. As they begin their new roles, we welcome their passion for our riders and look forward to the contribution of their many talents within our organization.

Suzanne is Director Management Assistance Program for the United Way of Greater Houston. With more than 30 years of increasing responsibility in human service leadership, she brings a wealth of experience in non-profit planning, administration and program operations. Suzanne is an avid horse owner and rider.

Fred has worked for Coca-Cola North America for the past 23 years and is currently Manager Strategic Alliances. His many years of experience in marketing and managing special projects will bring valuable skills as we continue to reach out and educate the Greater Houston Community about SIRE.

Please join me in welcoming Suzanne and Fred to the SIRE family, as we extend them our full confidence and support.

Richard “Whitey” White
Board President

Rolls-Royce encourages all its employees to participate in community activities as part of its formal Corporate Responsibility initiatives. Each RR location is expected to adopt an environmental or charitable organization to support the local community. The Houston-based Commercial Marine Group selected SIRE Therapeutic Equestrian Centers in August 2007.

From a small office of only 15 employees, seven individuals made the commitment to lead or sidewalk as volunteers for the Fall 2007 semester. Some had little or no knowledge of therapeutic riding, or horses for that matter! Everyone expected the experience to be rewarding, but we had no idea what the real impact would be for us and our organization.

For any company planning to spend thousands on “team building” activities and consultants – we have a more efficient and cost effective solution for you: get your staff involved with SIRE! From just a newly formed group of professionals in Houston, by the end of our first semester, we were a real team. Working together with the horses and clients and instructors at SIRE created a bond between us and a series of shared experiences we brought back to the office.

We have shared the joy of watching our riders get stronger, gain confidence, and it changed our perspective – we collectively know how to distinguish between the trivial and the significant - we know how to discern what is really important. As one staff member recently said, “I’m so very glad to participate, and the smiles on the kids’ faces speak volumes.” This has been a wonderful experience for all of us, and we look forward to future semesters!

Brenda S. Cunningham
Vice President - Finance

On the evening of Saturday May 10th, more than 500 Texas gentlemen and their ladies will crowd the Downtown Hyatt Regency to kick-up their heels for SIRE, Houston’s Therapeutic Equestrian Centers, at the 2008 Silver Star Shindig.

This annual black-tie gala celebrates SIRE’s 25th Anniversary of therapeutic horseback riding that benefits children and adults with disabilities.

The 2008 Silver Star Shindig honors: long-time volunteer, Peggy Wagner, with the SIRE Lifetime Humanitarian Award for her significant dedication to client advancement; Baker Concrete Construction, with the Community Investment Award for generous donations to construction projects in the development of the SIRE-Spring arena, and Paige Kinkade of Medcare Pediatric Group in Fort Bend County, with the Medical Award, in recognition of the extraordinary health care services provided to area disabled children.

The generous contributions of time and resources given by these amazing partners enable SIRE to grow and expand their therapeutic riding programs to serve more people with special abilities throughout the Greater Houston Area.

For example, Larke Dampeer was born with a zero Apgar score, which means she had no breathing nor did she have a heartbeat. Therapeutic riding at SIRE has had such a dramatic improvement on her life, that in less than two years, Miss Larke can walk independently, has more fluid movement in her upper body, and feeds herself. All of the physical improvements have allowed Larke to now be able to interact and play with other children her age. The ability to communicate with her SIRE horse, Jessie, is a great boost to her self-confidence and overall has brought Larke a greater level of joy and quality of life.

Another young client, Emily Hughes, has difficulty walking, but can independently ride her horse. Although, it takes great focus for her to quiet her muscle spasms, she can complete a trail course each year at the Top Hands Horse Show at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. While riding on the back of a horse, Emily can leave her limitations on the ground and experience freedom of movement and confidence of self.

Now beautiful young woman, Emily Lund, who has ridden with SIRE for six years, progressed from a very frightened child with three volunteers at her side to a confident, independent equestrienne. Emily will now be leaving SIRE to head off to college on a full scholarship that covers her studies through her Masters degree

Smiles abound on the faces of the riders, volunteers, and families at Sienna Stables as children with disabilities participate in an amazing and rewarding therapeutic riding program. SIRE, a beneficiary of a 2007 grant from Fort Bend Cares, is getting positive results through the use of the motion of and partnership with the horse. Individuals with most mental, physical and/or emotional disabilities can benefit from equine-assisted activities. The physical and emotional benefits of horseback riding have been known for several hundred years. The movement of the horse provides sensory stimulation to the body and Central Nervous System of the rider that affects a variety of muscle groups. The movement of the horse simulates in the rider the motion of the pelvis in the normal human walking gait. For people who have lost that natural movement, or have never had the benefit of this stimulation, horseback riding serves to “inspire” their bodies to achieve this motion and improve coordination. In addition, the warmth of the horse’s body and its rhythmic movements help to normalize muscle tone. Building self-esteem, confidence, and balance are just a few additional benefits of this area program.

SIRE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and gratefully accepts donations of monetary support, horses, tack, farm and office supplies, but most particularly appreciates the donation of your time as a volunteer. If you are interested in volunteering for SIRE, please call 281-778-0202 for more information, visit www.siennastables.com or www.sire-htec.org. The next volunteer training will be held January 16th and 19th at all sites.

Fort Bend Cares supports this and other Fort Bend area charities. Make plans to attend our major fundraising events: the Dinner Party on March 8, 2008 at Fluor Daniel and the March 10, 2008 Golf tournament at Sweetwater Country Club. Call 281-491-0020 to get involved with Fort Bend Cares.

On the evening of Saturday, May 12th, more than 500 buckaroos in tuxedoes moseyed in to the Downtown Hyatt Regency ballroom to kick-up their heels for SIRE, Houston’s Therapeutic Equestrian Centers, at the 2007 Shining Stars Over Texas Shindig.

It’s not a barn dance anymore! At this annual black-tie dinner-dance and auction, Bob Allen, Sports Anchor, KTRK ABC TV 13, returned as emcee for the evening, and shared his personal story about how SIRE benefits children and adults with disabilities.

Guests sat down to a five-course dinner surrounded by glittering table decorations and a backdrop of twinkling white stars. As the auction progressed, patrons danced to music by ‘Sound Advice’ .

This year’s Shining Stars Over Texas Shindig honored two of SIRE’s brightest stars, Jackie and Bill McDonald, of Magnolia, Texas. The generous contributions of time and resources given by this amazing couple enable SIRE to grow and expand their therapeutic riding programs, serving more people with special abilities throughout the Greater Houston Area.

Thanks to the continued support of volunteers like the McDonalds, children and adults with cognitive, physical and emotional disabilities are receiving the life-changing benefits of equestrian therapy.

SIRE was established in 1983 to provide equine-assisted therapy for people with disabilities of all ages. Today, SIRE operates three premier accredited NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) centers in and around Houston, and is recognized as one of the nation’s top therapeutic riding programs.

Each week, approximately 187 clients ride at SIRE Hockley, SIRE Spring, and SIRE Fort Bend @ Sienna Stables.

Hunting PLC announced today that it is donating $100,000 in proceeds from the Hunting Art Prize to SIRE, a Houston-based charity that uses therapeutic horseback riding and related activities to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.

The contribution includes funds generated from an auction at the April 29 Art Prize gala, as well as a donation based on sales of the finalists’ work shown at the event.

“We are pleased and honored to be able to show our support for SIRE in this way,” said Dennis Proctor, Chief Executive of Hunting, whose U.S. corporate headquarters are located in Houston. “We believe strongly in what the organization does, and are glad for the opportunity to help them grow and gain greater recognition for all that they do.”

SIRE, which stands for Self Improvement through Riding Education, has served the Houston area since 1983. It is one of just 212 therapeutic riding centers to earn Premier Accreditation by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association out of 700 centers nationally.

The Hunting Art Prize relocated to Houston in 2006 after 25 years in London, where it emerged as one of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious art competitions. Houston artist Francesca Fuchs won the $50,000 prize, which is one of the most generous in North America.

About Hunting PLC
Hunting PLC is an international oil services company providing support solutions to the world’s largest oil and gas concerns. Established in 1874, it is a fully listed public company, traded on the London Stock Exchange. For further information, visit www.hunting.plc.uk

May 12, 2007 - Hyatt Regency, Downtown Houston

SIRE, Houston’s Therapeutic Equestrian Centers’ Annual Fundraising Shindig is a Texas black-tie event that is recognizing SIRE’s volunteers from all over Harris, Montgomery and Fort Bend Counties. This year’s Shining Stars Over Texas Shindig honors two of SIRE’s brightest stars, Jackie and Bill McDonald, of Magnolia, Texas. For over a decade, The McDonalds have contributed their time, their resources and their hearts to support SIRE’s mission of equine-assisted therapy.

Jackie began as an arena volunteer and now serves on SIRE’s Board of Directors. She has been a committee member and co-chair of SIRE’s biggest fundraisers, the Ride-A-Thon and the Shindig. Some of the most successful Ride-A-Thons have been under Jackie’s leadership. Her involvement with the Shindig helped to create the sophisticated and successful black-tie gala that it is today.

Bill owns and operates D & L Electric Company, which completely re-wired SIRE’s facilities in Hockley and Spring, updating the electrical systems and adding bright, new arena lights. With the help of his award winning BBQ cook-off-team, ‘The More or Less Cookers’, Bill also donates and prepares lunch for the 350+ attendees at SIRE’s annual Ride-A-Thon.

The generous contributions of this amazing couple are part of the solid financial foundation that enables SIRE to grow and expand, serving the people with special abilities of the Greater Houston Area.

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Appropriately named, our Trailblazers Luncheon held on November 2, 2007 gained new ground in financial support for SIRE’s mission. The presentation at our fifth annual fund-raising luncheon began with a short, heart-touching video, produced by Bob Allen from TV Channel 13. A quiet settled into the room, and the only sounds that could be heard were an occasional emotional breath and hushed tears.

As testimony to the remarkable benefits achieved through equestrian therapy, four-year-old Larke Dampeer, a rider at SIRE Fort Bend @ Sienna Stables, was carried to the podium by her father, accompanied by her older brother. Her mother spoke about how Larke was born with a zero Apgar score, which means she had no breathing nor did she have a heartbeat. Therapeutic riding at SIRE has had such a dramatic improvement on her life, that in less than two years, Miss Larke can walk independently, has more fluid movement in her upper body, and has started to feed herself. All of the physical improvements have allowed Larke to now be able to interact and play with other children her age. The ability to communicate with her SIRE horse, Jessie, is a great boost to her self-confidence, and the SIRE program, overall, has brought Larke and her family a greater level of joy and quality of life.

Another young client, Emily Hughes, has difficulty walking, but can independently ride her horse; it takes great focus for her to quiet the spasms, but she can complete a trail course at the Top Hands Horse Show each year. Riding on the back of a horse, Emily can leave her limitations on the ground and experience freedom of movement and confidence of self.

Now a beautiful young woman, Emily Lund, who has ridden with SIRE for six years, progressed from a very frightened child with three volunteers to a confident, independent equestrienne. Emily will now be leaving SIRE to head off to college on a full scholarship that covers her studies through her Masters degree!

It is hard to imagine that we could touch so many people, so deeply in one hour that they would commit more than $100,000 to our mission. Truly remarkable, because SIRE receives no state or federal funding.

The money raised at SIRE’s Trailblazers Luncheon will help bring the lives of many disabled adults and children closer to physical, mental and emotional healing.