WHAT WE DO
Gabriella is entering her 20th year of riding at SIRE in a program she started at age 2. When she arrived, she could barely sit up because of mitochondrial disease and acute seizure disorder that causes her to experience about 30 seizures a day.
Now 21, Gabriella rides as an experienced equestrian.
“The riding is absolutely wonderful. Before she rides, she cannot walk up the ramp to get to the horse, but afterwards, she opens the gate to leave the arena and can walk to the car with assistance,” says Nikki, Gabriella’s grandmother. “SIRE does wonders for people with special needs. It’s the best thing in the world. It’s good for the soul.”
Here’s Gabriella’s story…
SIRE serves adults and children with a wide variety of special needs including, but not limited to cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome, multiple sclerosis, developmental delay, attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder, traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury.
Through equine-assisted activities and therapies, our riders experience the many benefits of therapeutic horsemanship described below.
OUR MISSION
The mission of SIRE is to improve the quality of life for people with special needs through therapeutic horsemanship activities and therapies, and educational outreach.
The power of therapeutic horsemanship to change lives has been known for hundreds of years. Scientific studies and those who participate note benefits including:
Increased strength
Improved balance
Enriched social interactions
Increased flexibility
Improved coordination
Enhanced self-esteem
SIRE Events
SIRE Under the Stars
SIRE Under the Stars was a huge success! Over $200,000 raised and over 180 guests attended the western-chic affair that honored Jana and Scotty Arnoldy. Event co-chairs Mary Elizabeth Wise Sand and Carol and Jim Farnsworth helped secure sponsors for more than half the SIRE equine herd.
Save the date for April 2020!
Saddle Up for SIRE
7IL Ranch, Cat Spring, Texas
Please save the date: Saturday, October 19, 2019 for this year’s event! Trail rides, BBQ, silent auction, costume contest and more promises for a day of fun for the entire family. Stay tuned for more details!
ALL SIRE HORSE SHOW
This year’s All SIRE Horse Show was an amazing success with SIRE riders competing in fun competitions and celebrating the holiday with lunch provided by Cisco’s Salsa Co. Save the date for December 2020!
Events Benefiting SIRE
SIRE Donor Appreciation Event
Thank you to everyone who attended the Donor Appreciation Event Sunday, June 9, 2019 at the Houston Polo Club.
It was a wonderful success and we were thrilled to meet each of you. Stay tuned for our next event!
Three educational opportunities hosted by SIRE this summer June – August. Therapeutic Instruction, horsemanship, stable management and more.
Have an Idea for a Fundraising or Friendraising Event?
If you have an idea for an event in your home, a unique venue, cool restaurant, art gallery, etc., we’d love to coordinate it with you! Please contact Beth Burroway at 281-356-7588 Ext 202 or via email at beth@sire-htec.org.
