SIRE, Houston’s Therapeutic Riding Centers

SIRE is about success and we have as many stories of achievement as we have clients. Recently, several clients have demonstrated huge improvements in their skills—let us tell you about a few of them.

SIRE Hockley
Ignacio Murguia had surgery to straighten his legs, and he grew several inches. When he came back to ride, he had a “new body” that was difficult to manage. By working hard every week, Ignacio could sit up longer—back in September we were counting in minutes, and now he can sit up the entire session.

Choosing the right horse has helped Erin Brown, a longtime SIRE client, succeed after a setback. Erin fractured her pelvis in a fall at home, and had difficulties when she returned to riding. With lots of hard work, Erin has graduated to a horse with more movement.

It’s easier with a little help from your friends. Two girls, Yessenia Luna and Elizabeth Williams, encourage each other. Being a team has helped each girl learn new skills and share their friendship. Another team, Karen Abbott’s riders called the “Sensational Six”, has practically grown up at SIRE on horseback—they help each other and even have a group cheer at the end of class.

SIRE Spring
Progress can be measured in many ways—how well you hold the reins for steering, how many directions you can follow, recognizing yourself as a successful person.

Whitney Faerber’s family has watched her grow and improve while riding at SIRE Spring. She has been learning to ride without sidewalkers or leaders, and very recently she rode completely independent. The smile on her face lit up the arena.

Being able to sit upright on a horse is a huge accomplishment for some of our riders, especially for those in wheelchairs like Megan Fry. Recently, she participated in the Top Hands Horse Show, and demonstrated her abilities at the Horses & Humans Research Foundation’s Open House Presentation.

SIRE Fort Bend
Several Fort Bend riders have made great strides—some at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Top Hands Horse Show, and some right here in the arena at SIRE.

Five of seven SIRE Fort Bend riders had never competed before at the show: Sebastian Arizpe, Alyse Delph, Erica Haase, Lance Nicholson and Derrick Perkins. Together with our show veterans Allison Meyer and Cade Zimmerman, these riders performed beautifully in their classes and accomplished individual personal goals.

Our 2008 Child Rider of the Year, Alejandro Araque, is one of the hardest working riders at SIRE. His strength and ability to use his body effectively to communicate with his horse continue to amaze us all.

Brittany Ricco is having an amazing semester, as she is taking control of her movements as well as her horse. Brittany can now stop those spasms and work through them.

So many wonderful riders, we can’t mention them all, but they all deserve applause. It’s our pleasure and privilege to work with them every week. They truly are our inspiration.