SIRE Sponsorship
Since 1978, SIRE has brought freedom from disabilities using the spirit and movement of the horse.
For individuals with impaired mobility, horseback riding alone, out of all possible activities, gently and rhythmically simulates the human walking gait. For individuals with autism, SIRE’s program enables them to relate to the horse in ways they do not relate to people by encouraging direct cues and signals, both verbal and physical. For individuals with speech and language disabilities, SIRE enables and teaches simple verbal and non-verbal communication with the horse, instructors and volunteers. We even have a program for blind riders where volunteers will station themselves in places around the riding arena to issue verbal cues for placement and riding directions.
Finally, approaching and overcoming apparently risky situations feeds the spirit. Those with disabilities too o ften live protected lives with little opportunity to engage in challenging physical activities available to others. Therapeutic riding provides carefully controlled and calibrated risk so that confidence can blossom. In short, riding a horse “makes me feel free,” in the words of one of our clients.
We’ve had an incredible fl urry of activity in the Spring of 2011 at SIRE! The 160 clients we serve each week keep us busy enough, but there are many special activities at SIRE, including competitions, field days and professional training courses.
Riding a horse “makes me feel free”
There were many of us who participated in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Top Hands event, with hours spent on training and preparation of ourselves and horses. Alas, things didn’t go our way on this one, as we (along with all of the other Therapeutic Riding Centers in attendance) were sent home at the end of the first day, unable to return to complete the show due to electrical issues. And then when area Special Olympics changed their date, SIRE was unable to participate due to a confl ict with another major event. Fortunately each site was able to hold a horse show just for SIRE riders to compensate for these cancellations. In April we had a group of twelve blind or visually impaired children experience riding, grooming and petting horses. We also began serving our first international client this spring, a referral from Texas Children’s Hospital.
Our instructor training courses paid off in March with four potential SIRE instructors earning their certi fication. The one-day clinics off ered at least four times per year continue to be popular. The classroom addition at the Hockley site has been well used! And we have added a part-time Physical Therapist to our staff in a volunteer position.
Many of you have supported us fi nancially in the past and we thank you for your generosity which allows us to continue SIRE programs. Tuition paid by clients covers only one third of the cost of services. Our fundraisers in the Spring of 2011 have been successful – the Boots and Bonnets Gala was smashing, the Polo Under the Pecans event held by the Brookshire Polo Club benefi tted SIRE financially and gave us exposure to a new group of supporters, and the Third Annual SIRE Drive to Ride Charity Golf Tournament went off without a hitch. A fter expenses, these three events netted $225,000 for SIRE.
Help us to spread the word about SIRE. We have frequent open houses and are always willing to show people what we do, just call 281-356-7588 to request a visit. Perhaps you know someone with a disability who might bene fit from our services. Perhaps you would like to volunteer. Or perhaps you would like to sponsor a rider or sponsor a horse.
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