News from Around SIRE
SIRE LOVES VOLUNTEERS
SIRE riders rely on the dedication of our incredible volunteers. Annually, SIRE volunteers donate more than 30,000 hours of service. This is equivalent to 15 full-time employees working for the entire year! Recently at SIRE, each site held an appreciation event for volunteers and recognized those with 500+ and 1,000+ volunteer hours. It is this dedication and passion that
Shelby Overcomes
SIRE Helps Erase the Fear, Build Strength and Confidence Shelby Day used to be afraid of almost everything -- including animals. During her first visit to SIRE Therapeutic Horsemanship when she was in the third grade, Shelby was hugging one of the horses within no time. That was 20 years ago. Since then Shelby has won dozens of riding
Welcome Christine
Please welcome Christine Starkweather to the SIRE team at Hockley. Christine started with SIRE this past fall volunteering in the arena and is now working for SIRE as the Volunteer Coordinator at the Hockley location. She brings a passion for horses and a dedication to helping those with special needs. We are thrilled to have her and encourage you to get to know Christine. As
Gertie and Jaybird Help Prove Doctors Wrong
“We need to get him on a horse,” was what Aidan DeFrates’ physical therapist told his parents. Aidan was almost 3 years old. He couldn’t sit up, crawl or talk. He had already had surgeries to repair a hole in his heart and implant a device for his brain to preempt the 80 seizures his little body was experiencing
Horse Show for the Holidays
The 4th Annual Holiday Horse Show was a great success. The horses were blessed, and Santa presided over riders as they showcased their talents with Elf Equitation and holiday races. Everyone enjoyed a fajita lunch catered by the incredibly generous Cisco’s Salsa Co. The festively adorned barn popped with color and sparkle. In this season, we are blessed with
Retired Couple Lends Double Dose of Support
Teri and Don Page prepare Special Olympians for competition. They guide specially trained therapy horses to adapt to their riders with special needs. Providing moral support and encouragement, they impact the lives of people—both riders ad families—by volunteering with SIRE Therapeutic Horsemanship. On most Thursdays, the retired energy industry professionals can be seen around the Hockley location. Pairing up
SIRE Rider Earns Special Olympic Gold & Star Musician Status
SIRE Rider Earns Special Olympic Gold, Star Musician Status Having benefited from therapeutic riding in another state, the Maleriches were familiar with harnessing the connection between horse and human to enhance the lives of people with special needs. But it took a move to Texas and immersion into the SIRE family for Carol Malerich to fully benefit from learning
A Message of Celebration!
At SIRE Therapeutic Horsemanship, we experience gratitude and friendship every day. The success people find at SIRE is the result of the trust and connection between humans and horses. This bond facilitates life-changing events for our riders. Some find new strength and physical skills. Some learn social skills and overcome anxiety. Everyone gains confidence and a well-earned sense of
SIRE Builds 9 Year Old’s Core Strength, Confidence and Life Wisdom
THE JP WEST STORY JP West digs Abraham Lincoln. He memorized the first lines of the Gettysburg Address, wrote a book report about the former President and visited his log cabin home in Kentucky during a detour of the family road trip north to Grammy’s. JP likes to cook and watch the Food Network TV show Diners, Drive-Ins and
Supporters Raise Nearly $95,000 for Saddle Up for SIRE
From horse leaders and side walkers to barbecue buffet servers and homemade dessert bakers, volunteers triumphantly brought the 2018 Saddle Up for SIRE to successful fruition Oct. 20 at the 7IL Ranch in Cat Spring, Texas. Numbering nearly 100, volunteers lent their time and know-how for the event’s 26th year. They registered supporters who brought their own horses to
Saddle Up Benefit Trail Ride Invites Friends
Since 1992, Saddle Up for SIRE has raised nearly $1.3 million to meet SIRE’s mission of helping people with special needs through therapeutic horsemanship. Your support of this year’s family friendly benefit trail ride and online fundraiser Oct. 20 at 7IL Ranch in Cat Spring, Texas, underwrites the cost of horse feed, veterinary and hoof care for the horses
Lauren & Ernie SIRE’s latest Media Stars
Pink blouse. Pink riding helmet pulled from her pink backpack. Perfect in pink is the best way to describe SIRE's own Lauren Hall. Lauren (pictured with instructor Toni Conner) was ready to ride Santana and demonstrate her award-winning form for the Houston Chronicle team. While visiting the Fort Bend facility, Chronicle reporter, Brook Lewis saw first hand the benefits
An Engineer Living to Help Others
When Thomas Hopkins searched online for volunteer opportunities in the Tomball, Texas, area SIRE’s horse therapy facility in Hockley popped into the results. Interacting with people with special needs and, though he had no experience working with horses, being around them intrigued him, so he registered for a Saturday volunteer orientation. Then he met therapy horse Runa. He remembered
Festival of Abilities
Festival of Abilities Saturday, October 27, 2018 3 – 7 p.m. Oak Forest Park Save the date for an action-packed event at Oak Forest Park. SIRE horses, petting zoo, sports, games, trick or treating, pick-your-own pumpkin patch, costume contest, food court, local craft breweries, art tile painting fundraiser, bake sale, auction and much more! MORE INFO
2018 U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship
Event Rescheduled! SIRE Friends and Family Celebration and Appreciation Event Sunday, November 18, 2018 2 p.m. - Houston Polo Club Join us for an afternoon as we showcase SIRE at the Houston Polo Club and enjoy amazing polo competition. Free admission but ticket for entry required. For more information, please contact Beth at Beth@sire-htec.org.
From Business Partners to SIRE Supporters
More and more companies are establishing giving programs to fund the causes their customers support. Among them, Facebook, Amazon, Kroger and, perhaps, your employer, have already contributed thousands of dollars to SIRE because of their relationships with you, our devoted supporters. If you do business with these companies, we’d appreciate your letting them know you’d like them to support