Megan’s Live Auction Art Offering for SIRE, how it went down!

We are planning a spectacular night of fun and fundraising with our Boots and Bonnets Charity Gala, including simulcast of the Kentucky Derby, a band and dance music, fine foods, auction treasures and much, much more! On May 5, 2012 at the Sam Houston Race Park, we will celebrate with SIRE, Houston’s Therapeutic Equestrian Centers’ annual dinner, dance and auction! This very special night is a salute to years of hope and healing through therapeutic horseback riding and related equine assisted activities for thousands of Houston area children and adults with disabilities.

Therapeutic horseback riding tremendously impacts the lives of individuals with brain damage, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, autism, Down’s syndrome, spinal injuries and many other disabilities. By using the movement and spirit of the horse, combined with the teamwork of the rider, instructor, therapist and volunteers, therapeutic horseback riding produces life-changing results!

You can directly contribute to the success of this event by donating an item or items to the live and/or silent auction. Your auction donation will be recognized by SIRE in various media outlets including our monthly e-newsletter with a recipient list of over 3500 people.

SIRE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law, EIN 74-2168515. Please use the Auction Contribution Form and mail to: SIRE, 24161 Spring Dr., Hockley, Texas 77447, fax to 281-356-9462 or call 281-356-7588 for more information.

Together, we will continue the mission of SIRE for another twenty-five years!

Sincerely,
Bonnie Knowlton
Auction Chair

Our riders had a very successful weekend and brought home fourteen 1st place belt buckles, eighteen 2nd place ribbons, twenty four 3rd place ribbons, fourteen 4th place ribons, thirteen 5th place ribbons, five 6th place ribbons, three 7th place ribbons and six Honorable Mentions.  SIRE riders earned ninety seven awards overall!

The following riders participated this year:

Ft. Bend – Emma Watson, Molly Levinton, Connor Finley, Erica Haase, Luis Bernal and Sebastian Aripze

Hockley – Daryl Quintero, Nathaniel Hunter, Cade Zimmerman, Pam Gove, Derrick Perkins, Alex Dumas, Macailyn Phares, CC Chan, Julie Sparrow, Emily Hughes, Christina Whelp, Amber House, Shelby Day, Carrie Gabel and Yessenia Luna

Spring – Sebastiaen Raymaker, Alex Calame, Leah Stryjewski, Luke McClendon, Claire Bouldin, Jacob Sukin, Lauren Igler, Katherine Richards, Jessica Callan, Amber Johnson, Will Keener, Stevie Reid, Drew Simms and Jason Mickelis

We had too many volunteers and too little space here to mention them all but they did an outstanding job and as always we appreciate everything they did to make this a successful weekend.

Carino’s Italian Restaurant in Missouri City and Pearland held a fundraiser for SIRE on March 3rd.  Katherine Alyea, Managing Partner offered to donate 15% of all receipts for food purchased by people with a SIRE coupon.  We thank Katherine and Carino’s for their generosity and support for SIRE.  Carino’s will be having more fundraisers to benefit SIRE later in the year.  Watch for details!

SIRE: On Stage! At the Hobby Center was well executed and we have received many positive comments on the event. We received publicity in advance in the Chronicle, and some attendees came from that exposure. The horses were all very well behaved and went up and down the steps without any problems! The presentation by Joelle and the SIRE riders was educational and inspiring. The HPD participation was excellent. As of this date, financially we broke even on the event. We did have representatives of several foundations in attendance and we anticipate some increased donations from them because of the event, but it may be several months before we see those financial results. If you attended the event and have been holding on to the donation envelope, please consider making your donation today!

Airport Express Endurance Ride was held at the airport on one of the rainiest weekends in February.  But the endurance riders are a tough group!!! And generous besides. Many of them donated all or part of their registration even if they did not ride. A few dollars are still coming in, and a few expenses are going out, but all in all it looks like we should have $4000 to $5000 profit from this new event, and a good probability that they will select us for future years. And we have some ideas for making more money!

The Boots and Bonnets Gala is May 5th at Sam Houston Race Park – basically same format as last year with improvements! The committee is now off to the races (OK I just had to say that!!!). Underwriter letters went out and the auction solicitation letters are going out this week, working hard on the invitations. We will shortly have more info on the website. Last year we came very close to selling out tables, so for that reason and also to reduce expenses, we will be changing the way event volunteers are seated for dinner. We will have a separate area where they will be able to eat when they get a break. If volunteers want to eat in the main dining area, we will have a wait list for half-price seats. But we will not know until the week before the event whether these seats will be available. Just wanted to give our hard working volunteers a heads up on these changes.

Thanks again for your help with the frenzy of activity in January and February. When I saw the smiles and shared the happiness of our riders at Top Hands, it made it all worthwhile for me.

 Thursday, February 9, 2012 from 5:00 to 7:30 PM
at The Hobby Center, Sarofim Stage
800 Bagby, Houston, TX  77002.

Therapeutic riding demonstrations will begin at the top of each hour, 5:00, 6:00 and 7:00 PM and will last for approximately 15 – 20 minutes for each session. HPD Mounted Patrol partners will also demonstrate the unique skills that horses bring to law enforcement situations.  Tickets are free, although an RSVP is required for the event. We will be serving complimentary appetizers, cocktails and soft drinks.

To RSVP, call Susan or JoAnn at 281-356-7588.

SIRE is promoting awareness of the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding, as well as encouraging sustainable funding for this program that is supported 75% by community donations.  Most demonstrations are given at SIRE’s remote rural sites; the Hobby Center enables SIRE to bring program demonstrations to “Inner-Loopers” who might not traditionally attend a horseback riding event in the country.

SIRE, Houston’s Therapeutic Equestrian Centers, is a non-profit therapeutic horseback riding programthat improves the quality of life for people with disabilities through therapeutic horseback riding and related activities.  SIRE has been active in the Houston area for the past 28 years and currently serves over 160 clients per week (with the help of 300 volunteers per week!) at sites in Hockley, Spring and Ft. Bend County. SIRE is the only premier accredited center in the Houston area with PATH International, formerly NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association). For more information about SIRE, call 281-356-7588, email at SIREoffice@SIRE-htec.org or visit www.sire-htec.org.

The mission of the Houston Police Foundation is to foster visible and direct community support for the Houston Police Department by strengthening pride in and connection to the Department’s mission of excellence.  For more information visit HoustonPoliceFoundation.org.

From 610 west, take Fannin exit, U-Turn and stay on feeder, then take the first entrance (5) on right after between Fannin and Kirby. See also http://reliantpark.com/directions-parking. NO PARKING PASSES ARE REQUIRED, PARKING IS FREE.

2012 Schedule

Clients, please plan to arrive at the time indicated by your rider letter or instructor. Volunteers are welcome any time during show hours. You will also be provided an individual schedule. Please keep in mind it’s a long day & clients especially need to bring stuff to do. Snack, drinks, and meals are provided, but may not be accessible at all times so plan according to your own needs. No clients or underage volunteers can be left in the care of SIRE volunteers or staff members.

Please be aware of how the schedule is running and where you are in the schedule. We don’t know exact times. Clients and arena volunteers, be ready to go before your class is called. The Ring Steward will not hold a class for late riders.

Friday, February 17
10:00 a.m. (approx.) unloading, volunteer check-in,
12:00 volunteer check-in continues, begin rider check-in
2:00 p.m. show starts, Showmanship (approx. 4 hours) and English Equitation (approx. 3 hours)
Saturday, February 18
6:30 a.m. volunteer registration, horse warm-up
8:00 a.m show starts. Barrels (approx. 2 hours) and and Trail (approx. 7 hours)
Sunday, February 19
6:30 a.m. volunteer registration, horse warm-up
8:00 a.m. show starts, Western Equitation – about 4 hours, Awards ceremony (no lunch served on Sunday)
mid-afternoon unloading and unpacking at each SIRE location.
Volunteers, if you are unable to attend, call ASAP. Remember, our riders are counting on you!

Attire for Clients

ENGLISH ATTIRE:

• Tan/Gray Breeches/Jodhpurs or Khaki Slacks, belt,
• Dark navy/black Hunt coat/jacket,
• Tall English Boots/ short Paddock Boots (unless braces prohibit),
• Show Shirt: (Ladies) light colored hunt shirt with choker, (Gentlemen) white dress shirt with solid Navy/Black tie.

WESTERN ATTIRE:

• (Ladies) white tuxedo shirt * (*find at craft store) or Western Type Show Shirt
• (Gentlemen) white long sleeve collared shirt or Western Type Shirt,
• Blue/Black Jeans & a belt
• Boots with Heel (unless braces prohibit)
• Blue SIRE vests will be available to wear at show (will be kept in dressing room at horse show).
• Dressy Western Show attire may be worn for those who have Western Show Clothes.

**Some show clothes are available to borrow from SIRE. Please check with your Instructor **

Attire for Volunteers

Please wear SIRE T-shirt and clean, neat, dark jeans. If necessary for warmth, please wear the T-shirt over a white shirt. Friday’s T-shirt will be the 2011 Ride-a-thon shirt, limited sizes available at SIRE or at the show (no charge). Saturday and Sunday’s shirt will be a new 2012 Top Hands shirt and will be available at each site and at Reliant Arena. Thanks to Apache Corporation for sponsoring these shirts.

Events and Club Awards

Patterns and tips for events will be available online and at the show. In addition, the Top Club and Reserve Top Club awards will be presented to the club displaying the best examples of each of the following:

• Good Sportsmanship – exhibiting support for other clubs and riders
• Club Presentation – cleanliness of stall area, identification of club areas
• Enthusiasm – support for other members of your team, overall safety
• Preparedness – riders on time for event
• Team spirit – stall decorations and attire (matching shirts)

Trail and Showmanship Patterns

Download a copy of this year’s pattern here.

Keep these in mind at all times! Remember, we’re here for the riders. Have Fun and Smile!!!