* * * MEDIA ALERT * * *
For Immediate Release
Houston, TX
A glorious dawn welcomed hundreds of riders and volunteers to the 22nd Annual CGG Saddle Up! for SIRE Ride-a-thon, Saturday October 18th. Having a trail ride fundraiser seemed especially appropriate since SIRE exists to bring horses and people with disabilities together, working to improve quality of life through therapeutic horsemanship. Each guest and volunteer smiled almost as bright as the morning sun, knowing his or her part in raising more than $110,000 to support the 300 riders with disabilities each year who come to SIRE.
While many took to the 40 miles of trails right away, others gathered around the pavilion to enjoy carnival festivities. In keeping with the Year of the Horse theme, SIRE client riders were able to witness several unusual demonstrations of horses at work. David Turell with his horse, Duece, trotted their stuff with an authentic doctor’s buggy. Jeffrey Basham and Steve and Dawn Hemphill gave a preview of next year’s charity joust with a demonstration melee.
After all had enjoyed a barbecue lunch, popular TV personality and Fox26 evening news anchor Don Teague announced the award winners. Participants won for their creative costumes as well as their tireless fundraising on behalf of SIRE.
Winners Recognized
Heights resident and SIRE rider Mark Strawn now can call himself “Trail Boss,” a title he earned by raising more than $11,000 for SIRE. Saying winning was “nice,” Mark added with a smile, “It wasn’t a surprise.” Mark’s efforts were bouyed with the help of the Arabian Spirit riders, who each year select a client to support. Organizer Pat Roddy explained Mark’s selection by their team, saying “Many of our team members have volunteered with Mark and they know he has benefited by riding Arabian horses at SIRE. Plus, Mark needs SIRE services in mid-life after a car accident. We realize what happened to Mark could happen to any of us.”
Nathaniel Hunter, from Champions, won second place in this category, followed by Alexandra “Alex” Dumas of Katy and Lauren Igler of Magnolia, who won third and fourth, respectively. Ladana, Lauren’s mother, captured the spirit of the day, “Lauren is so excited to go ride on the trail. I love telling people about it, as they are usually shocked at the size of crowds we have and what all is involved. It gets them to thinking what all it does for the clients. It amazes me how all the volunteers are just so eager to do their part and do it well. Also, for David and Faye Reznicek, owners of 7IL Trails, to allow us their ranch for the day (and weekend) is just wonderful and giving.” In total, SIRE clients raised more than $36,000 for SIRE.
SIRE volunteer Jill Butler was recognized for at least the fifth year in a row as the top fundraising volunteer. Team EOG Resources was recognized as top fundraising team.
It must have been the purple fleurs-de-lis painted on their horses’ hips and other Mardi Gras touches that convinced the judges to select Krewe of Sonesta Farms in Cypress to be the Best Dressed Team.
A Variety of Corporate Supporters
In addition to CGG, title sponsor for the fifth year, several other corporations helped underwrite the day. PetSmart’s West Houston District Manager John Koch presented a $5,000 check to SIRE as part of their PetSmart Gives Back program. MotionPhysicalTherapy.com and HoustonSportsMedicine.com joined Geico as new golden sponsors.
This was the second year for silver sponsor EOG Resources to field a team. Mayde Creek Animal Health Center in Katy, another silver sponsor, continued their tradition of supporting ride-a-thon.
Carnival and More
To provide more entertainment for siblings and others, SIRE rounded up a bounce house, petting zoo, and “The Crocodile Experience,” which allowed all to get up close and personal with snakes, crocodiles, and other reptiles. Children loved that and the family carnival. In addition, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo provided still more entertainment. The Speakers Committee brought country line dance & western dance demonstrations, numerous clowns, “Miss Moo,” and “Cowboy.” For the third year, the band Will Carter and 100 Miles Gone got the crowd moving with popular favorites, both pop music and country, old and new. The Saddle up for SIRE ride-athon benefited from the tireless efforts of mothers and daughters from several National Charity League chapters. Families brought homemade baked goods to sell for SIRE’s benefit and volunteered for the carnival and lunch serving line.
About SIRE
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. SIRE is a Professional Association of
Therapeutic Horsemanship International premier accredited center serving 240 riders per week with three sites in the greater Houston area: Hockley, Richmond, and Spring. SIRE is a 501(c)3 nonprofit
corporation and donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Information regarding enrollment, volunteering, and donations can be found at www.sire-htec.org.
