News from Around SIRE
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
SIRE HAS MY HEART
OUR FRIEND BROADWAY Hello! My name is Broadway and I have been at SIRE Hockley since 2007. I am a sorrel Quarter Horse mare and I wear white socks on my hind feet. I started out as Queen of the Herd! But now that I’m an older lady, I have rescinded my title. My best friend is Tikki
It takes a lot of heart!
New Volunteers Meeting our wonderful horses. On Saturday, January 13th, over 30 Hockley volunteers participated in our bi-annual Volunteer Enrichment. They enjoyed an educational morning with Hockley volunteer, Keith O’Connor, SLP from Katy ISD and Marty Clark of Majors Horse Massage, Hockley’s Equine Massage Therapist. Keith shared his knowledge and experience providing a broad overview of disabilities
Volunteer Spotlight – Teena
Teena has volunteered with us since October 2014. She is a big part of our SIRE family; always willing to fill in where needed and help out with anything we ask. As you will read below, Teena was a special needs teacher for many years. We actually did not know this, but it definitely shows in the way she connects
Michelle hits new goal – Walking Unassisted!
Michelle started riding at SIRE’s Spring site in March of 2015. She was very excited about riding and quickly showed her natural abilities on a horse. When Michelle first started riding with SIRE she was using a wheelchair most of the time to get around. After about six months of riding Michelle was using her three wheeled walker to get
Sophia – “Therapeutic riding is magical”
Sophia began riding with us in the Fall of 2016. Sophia had difficulty making eye contact when talking and staying focused. At the time of her riding evaluation, her mother reported difficulty controlling her energy and emotions, as well as challenges controlling her hands which resulted in profound handwriting deficiencies. At some point, Sophia’s mom was told by the Occupational
Super Volunteer Traci!
Traci Hockabout Traci Hockabout has been an integral part of our volunteer team since January 2011. She heard about SIRE from a friend who was volunteering with us. After learning about SIRE Traci decided that it sounded like something she would enjoy doing. It also would allow her to spend time with horses, something she did when she was growing
SIRE Spotlight : PJ Murray
SIRE is thankful to be blessed with a fantastic staff. This month we would like to shine a light on an individual who brings happiness, experience, and patience to every lesson and meeting : PJ Murray. PJ is a very busy individual! She is the Hockley Site Manager and an Instructor. She is a grandmother and animal lover. For
Brandi Johnston – SIRE’s Comeback Queen
Sitting on a set of wooden bleachers on a hot summer day, the smell of dirt and grass fill the air. Light music accompanies the whir of large ceiling fans that are secured to the arena. The hustle and bustle of horses being herded around the barn signify the end of a riding lesson. As a group of