“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”

-Mark Twain

Through the kindness, hard work, and dedication of our volunteers, SIRE clients are able to ride. Our volunteers spend thousands of hours in our arenas, on our trails, and at our events to make it possible for our clients to feel the benefits of therapeutic horsemanship.

We would like to honor and sincerely thank everyone who has donated their time and showed compassion to the clients at SIRE. A special thank you goes out to those volunteers who committed more than 100 hours for the Spring 2013 semester.

 Thanks to “Your Houston News” for publishing our press release in Atascocita and Humble.

SIRE, Houston’s Therapeutic Equestrian Center, will be training volunteers for summer at all three sites: in Hockley (northwest), Spring (north) and Richmond, Fort Bend (southwest). The summer session will be June 10th through July 27th.

Volunteers are needed at all locations and all times. Potential volunteers can find more information and sign up for training at www.sire-htec.org. The next scheduled orientation will be Wednesday May 29th, 6 to 8 p.m. Training will be the morning of Saturday, June 1st. In some cases, volunteers can be trained and placed sooner.

Volunteers for the lessons must be 14 or older, must be able to walk for 45 minutes perhaps supporting a moderate amount of weight and able to jog for brief periods. SIRE is looking to add significantly to its horse herd, too. Potential therapy horses must be emotionally mature, be trained and be healthy. More information can be found at www.sire-htec.org under the tab, “You Can Help.”

Cindy Piritz of Katy says, “I absolutely love every minute I spend at SIRE. It is probably one of the most rewarding volunteer things I’ve ever done.” Amber McCreery of Missouri City started volunteering at SIRE at 15 and now graduates high school having won the honor of SIRE’s Fort Bend Junior Volunteer of the Year. “Volunteering at SIRE has made me to be more sociable. I made a lot of new friends, two-legged and four-legged. And I love leaving a smile on the riders letting me know I’m doing a good thing and helping them ride.”

Last year, SIRE provided 5,447 therapeutic riding sessions to 220 clients. In client surveys, 100% reported improvements from therapeutic riding. And each rider relies upon one to three volunteers to be able to ride. All together SIRE volunteers donate more than 30,000 hours, worth $650,000 annually. As SIRE’s Executive Director Lili Kellogg explains, “We’re in a significant growth mode, expecting to provide services to 30% more people this year.” Marketing Director Sabrina Strawn adds, “We’re already training and hiring more staff. To make a difference in more lives, SIRE is growing our volunteer corps and adding more ‘four-legged therapists,’ too.”

SIRE brings people with all sorts of disabilities together with horses so they can ride beyond – beyond limits, beyond dependence, and into fresh air, freedom and a lifelong, Texas-traditional sport. For SIRE’s clients, therapeutic riding not only increases strength and independence, it also provides more freedom and independence to their families. Moreover, it can initiate more effective interaction and education at school, work, and in other community settings. Clients range in age from 3 to 83.

As one family member remarked, “SIRE has become part of our family. Alex cannot wait to meet the new volunteers, instructors, riders, and the horses. SIRE has opened up a whole new world of possibilities and opportunities for Alex. And that has been such a blessing.”

JoAnn Trepl in front of the west wing

Every week day before any riders, clients, or volunteers arrive at SIRE’s Hockley site, JoAnn Trepl is getting ready for her work day. Many clients and volunteers may not even be aware of her office, the “west wing” attached to our caretaker’s house. From the front of this office, JoAnn can see multiple pastures full of SIRE’s therapeutic riding horses. JoAnn knows how SIRE’s special horses foster independence in riders, saying that “everything [our riders] do on a horse develops [the riders'] abilities to control their bodies and minds.” The quality of life improvements are seen not only in SIRE clients but also for family members and even for the many staff and volunteers. JoAnn recognizes that the horses at SIRE play a very important role saying, “they move like humans and they are gentle. They develop a bond to their rider or handler.”

Though the west wing doesn’t afford easy views of the various arenas, JoAnn insists she sees all the possibilities and connections people are making with their horses. She knows that as our administrative assistant, she’s “part of something that’s important” and that can benefit not just a single rider but our community as a whole. “If I meet someone that hasn’t heard of SIRE, I like to make sure and tell them about SIRE,” JoAnn says commenting that  “almost everybody knows someone who is disabled,” feeling the need to share the possibilities that SIRE can bring to an individual and family.

The SIRE staff members working in the west wing don’t always get to watch clients climb on the backs of their horses or empty sand out of their shoes at the end of the day, but they do get to see SIRE’s impact on its clients. The west wing office is home to two more wonderful women,  Sherry Flores and Susan Sanders, who are behind the scenes making sure SIRE stays available for all those who can truly benefit from the therapy of a horse.  As administrative assistant, JoAnn works in partnership with the staff to assist with general office and administrative duties. Sherry is the Director of Finance and Technology and is responsible for overseeing the financial operations and for implementing technology solutions at SIRE.  Susan, as office assistant, handles client registration and performs general office duties relating to all three SIRE sites.

At the end of the day and after thirteen years with SIRE, JoAnn has seen the many benefits of therapeutic riding and the related activities. “It’s amazing how many people have used horses for therapy. I brag on the horses and tell [people] that our horses are especially trained to be therapists. It takes a very special horse to be a therapy horse.” And it takes very special people to handle all our administrative details. Thank you, JoAnn, Susan, and Sherry!

Spring Rider Christi Roberts

Spring site Rider Christi Roberts has been an active member of 4-H for the past seven years.    She was awarded two 4-H county scholarships and will attend the VAST Academy in the fall as well as continuing to ride with SIRE.  Christi is home schooled and is graduating from high school later this month.

Christi riding Harry at Top Hands

Christi has ridden with SIRE for the past year and has competed in both Top Hands and Special Olympics.

See photos in our gallery and at http://lonestarimages.zenfolio.com/2013sireso, use the passwordsirersso

In Richmond, competitors from Special Friends Equestrian Team of Friendswood, Texas, Turn-N-Burn of Pearland and the Dream Team from Huntington Stables joined riders from SIRE to participate in the fun-filled day. Horses and riders competed in such diverse events as showmanship, barrel racing, trail, western equitation and English equitation. “The balance, the stability and the right communication between the horse and the rider is a key element for success in equestrian sport,” according to the Special Olympics organizers.

Richmond opening ceremonies featured 1LT Ragnar Jamieson, husband of SIRE instructor Renee Jamieson, and his colleague SSG Scott Jarvis, of the Texas National Guard, Unit 136 of the Expeditionary Signal Battalion. We were also pleased to have Officer Pryor and Officer Mann of HPD’s mounted division here for the ceremonies. Angela Dampeer, mother of a SIRE rider, delivered a beautiful and moving rendition of the National Anthem.

SIRE’s Hockley and Spring locations brought 24 riders to the competition in Montgomery. Together, these riders brought home 35 medals; 11 gold, 11 silver, and 14 bronze. In Richmond, SIRE’s six riders celebrated being awarded 18 medals total; 8 gold, 4 silver and 6 bronze. Scroll down for individual placings.

All in all, we had two beautiful sunny days filled with camaraderie and friendly competition. Congratulations to all of the Special Olympic participants and a big thanks to all the volunteers who made this possible!

Come see the State Special Olympics!
May 17-19, check with your SIRE site for times.
Brazos County Expo Center
5827 Leonard Road, Bryan, TX 77803
Riders have already made their commitments.
Current volunteers can ask about signing up at your respective sites.

SIRE rider Megan Fry poses with her painting, Beyond the Storm.

Having the artwork to display is miraculous enough. Megan has been severely affected by cerebral palsy since birth and must rely upon assistance to move, to communicate, and to paint. To paint, Megan signals her Dynavox Eyemax with her eyes to select colors and draw the design.

We watched first in excitement and then in awe as our supporters’ bidding almost doubled the take from last year’s painting. “After the Storm,” Megan’s piece for this year’s gala, garnered $40,000. And another of Megan’s paintings sold for an easy $10,000, bringing the total earned by Megan’s artwork for SIRE for the 2013 Triple Crown Gala to $50,000. Not all the bills or checks have arrived. Even so, we estimate the gala will provide $180,000 net for SIRE’s programs.

And if you would like to see more about Megan’s artwork, check her website, http://www.justmyeye.com/

The posed photos by Mary Cooksley are available in our photo gallery. Photos by Tod Gilpin will be available soon.

A huge thank you to all the staff and volunteers who helped with the gala, including our board and the gala committee. A great big round of applause to our gala sponsors, too.

2013 Triple Crown Gala Committee
Sandra Cortez, co-chair
Natalie DeJong
Sherry Flores
Alicia Garcia
Kellye Hall
Diane Heinricks
Lili Kellogg
Bonnie Knowlton
Vida Rhoton
Pat Roddy, honorary co-chair
Sabrina Shumsky, co-chair
Sabrina Strawn
Molly Sweeney
Debbie Sweren
Kelley Wiginton

2013 Triple Crown Gala Sponsors
Gold Crown Sponsor
Nancy & Richard White
Jeweled Crown Sponsors
Bryan & Cheryl Nelson
NuTech Energy Alliance
Page International Communications
Texas Business Theatre
Iron Crown Sponsors
John and Sharon Beck
The Robert & Janice McNair Foundation
Dan and Leah Peed
Robert Creasy & Patricia Roddy
TGS
Tiara Sponsors
Joyce Blackburn
EP Energy E&P Company, L.P.
Cody and Gloria Hogue
Guy and Judy Hunter
Lockton Companies
John and Jane Mancuso
Dan and Leah Peed
Shannon Fine Jewelry
Sabrina and Matt Shumsky
Jan and Thomas Simmons
Brent and Kathy Smolik
Molly Sweeney
Dinner Underwriter
Jim and Jane Wise
Invitation Underwriter
Geospace Technologies
Decorations Underwriter
Dixie Chemical

Don’t forget our online auction, too!

Big Board Items

1) Port Aransas house ($855 value)
• 1 weekend 2 night stay at a 2-2 beach house that sleeps 8
• Enjoy beachcombing, sunbathing, swimming, fishing, dolphin-watching, parasailing, museums, the U.S.S. Lexington, and the Texas State Aquarium.

2) Brian Cushing Autographed Football ($250 value)
• Houston Texans defensive coordinator, Wade Phillips, has called Cushing a “holy phenom … one of the best I’ve ever coached.”

3) Hermès Scarf ($700 value)
• Pristine 1985 Hermès jacquard silk 35-inch square scarf entitled ‘Fantaisies Indiennes’
• Dubbed the perfect gift by Esquire, Hermès scarves have been worn by Grace Kelly, the Queen of England, Audrey Hepburn, Jackie O and even Miley Cyrus.

4) Coal Vines Wine Dinner for 8 ($800 value) in Sugarland
• Lake Pointe Parkway and U.S. 59 in Sugarland
• Chef Steve Marques will create a custom 5-course dinner for you & seven guests.

5) Spirit of America Limited Edition Bronze Sculpture by Laran Ghiglieri ($27,000 value)
• 29″ x 14″ x 11″

6) Tie one on with LUCHO ($3780 value)
• One tie per month for 12 months and wardrobe consultation.

• LUCHO is an Italian boutique located in Houston’s Uptown Park
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7) Water Fowl Hunt at Thunderbird Hunting Club ($690 value)
• One day and one night excursion for 2 near El Campo, guided by Chris Cool, SIRE board member

8) Goode Company Party at your place ($750 value)
• Barbeque for 50 valid within 50 miles radius of downtown Houston

9) Rockport Fishing Adventure ($680 value)
• Guided trip for three with Coastal Conservation Association Texas Assistant Director and local fishing expert, John Blaha

10) Custom oil painting ($2,000 value)
• An award winning artist, Hollee Clawater specializes in painting portraits of people and animals and landscapes capturing unique moments in time. Her work is a mixture of realism of the subject and impressionism in the backgrounds.

Live Auction Items

1) Venice, Louisiana Fishing trip ($1500 value)
• 2 mornings, 1 night guided by CCA Louisiana Executive Director David Cresson

2) 4 Diamond Club Seats to Astros game ($1595 value)
• Closer to the catcher than the pitcher! Includes buffet dinner, drink service at your seat and VIP parking pass.

3) A Week of Skiing in Lake Tahoe ($4100 value)
• One-week stay at the Marriot Grand Residence December 27, 2013- January 3, 2014
• Sleeps up to 6 and air fare for 2 by Southwest Airlines

4) “Beyond the Storm” by Megan Fry (priceless)
• 14-year-old Megan Fry, a SIRE client since the age of 3, uses her eyes to create fabulous artwork about what’s important in her world. 26×30 painting framed on canvas

5) Sommelier Wine and Cheese Experience in Napa Valley ($4310 value)
• 3-Night Stay at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa
• Airfare for 2

6) Tequila Tasting for 10 at LUCHOS in Uptown Park ($1900 value)
• Enjoy the upscale setting of an Italian boutique menswear salon with a Latin flair.

7) Zulu Nyala South African Trip ($4950 value)

• • Luxury Accommodations for 6 days and 6 nights at Zulu Nyala Luxury Safari Camp or Heritage Game Lodge in South Africa
• • 3 delicious meals per day prepared by the finest international chefs with an African flavor