SIRE, Houston’s Therapeutic Riding Centers

Rolls-Royce encourages all its employees to participate in community activities as part of its formal Corporate Responsibility initiatives. Each RR location is expected to adopt an environmental or charitable organization to support the local community. The Houston-based Commercial Marine Group selected SIRE Therapeutic Equestrian Centers in August 2007.

From a small office of only 15 employees, seven individuals made the commitment to lead or sidewalk as volunteers for the Fall 2007 semester. Some had little or no knowledge of therapeutic riding, or horses for that matter! Everyone expected the experience to be rewarding, but we had no idea what the real impact would be for us and our organization.

For any company planning to spend thousands on “team building” activities and consultants – we have a more efficient and cost effective solution for you: get your staff involved with SIRE! From just a newly formed group of professionals in Houston, by the end of our first semester, we were a real team. Working together with the horses and clients and instructors at SIRE created a bond between us and a series of shared experiences we brought back to the office.

We have shared the joy of watching our riders get stronger, gain confidence, and it changed our perspective – we collectively know how to distinguish between the trivial and the significant - we know how to discern what is really important. As one staff member recently said, “I’m so very glad to participate, and the smiles on the kids’ faces speak volumes.” This has been a wonderful experience for all of us, and we look forward to future semesters!

Brenda S. Cunningham
Vice President - Finance

On the evening of Saturday May 10th, more than 500 Texas gentlemen and their ladies will crowd the Downtown Hyatt Regency to kick-up their heels for SIRE, Houston’s Therapeutic Equestrian Centers, at the 2008 Silver Star Shindig.

This annual black-tie gala celebrates SIRE’s 25th Anniversary of therapeutic horseback riding that benefits children and adults with disabilities.

The 2008 Silver Star Shindig honors: long-time volunteer, Peggy Wagner, with the SIRE Lifetime Humanitarian Award for her significant dedication to client advancement; Baker Concrete Construction, with the Community Investment Award for generous donations to construction projects in the development of the SIRE-Spring arena, and Paige Kinkade of Medcare Pediatric Group in Fort Bend County, with the Medical Award, in recognition of the extraordinary health care services provided to area disabled children.

The generous contributions of time and resources given by these amazing partners enable SIRE to grow and expand their therapeutic riding programs to serve more people with special abilities throughout the Greater Houston Area.

For example, Larke Dampeer was born with a zero Apgar score, which means she had no breathing nor did she have a heartbeat. Therapeutic riding at SIRE has had such a dramatic improvement on her life, that in less than two years, Miss Larke can walk independently, has more fluid movement in her upper body, and feeds herself. All of the physical improvements have allowed Larke to now be able to interact and play with other children her age. The ability to communicate with her SIRE horse, Jessie, is a great boost to her self-confidence and overall has brought Larke a greater level of joy and quality of life.

Another young client, Emily Hughes, has difficulty walking, but can independently ride her horse. Although, it takes great focus for her to quiet her muscle spasms, she can complete a trail course each year at the Top Hands Horse Show at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. While riding on the back of a horse, Emily can leave her limitations on the ground and experience freedom of movement and confidence of self.

Now beautiful young woman, Emily Lund, who has ridden with SIRE for six years, progressed from a very frightened child with three volunteers at her side to a confident, independent equestrienne. Emily will now be leaving SIRE to head off to college on a full scholarship that covers her studies through her Masters degree

Smiles abound on the faces of the riders, volunteers, and families at Sienna Stables as children with disabilities participate in an amazing and rewarding therapeutic riding program. SIRE, a beneficiary of a 2007 grant from Fort Bend Cares, is getting positive results through the use of the motion of and partnership with the horse. Individuals with most mental, physical and/or emotional disabilities can benefit from equine-assisted activities. The physical and emotional benefits of horseback riding have been known for several hundred years. The movement of the horse provides sensory stimulation to the body and Central Nervous System of the rider that affects a variety of muscle groups. The movement of the horse simulates in the rider the motion of the pelvis in the normal human walking gait. For people who have lost that natural movement, or have never had the benefit of this stimulation, horseback riding serves to “inspire” their bodies to achieve this motion and improve coordination. In addition, the warmth of the horse’s body and its rhythmic movements help to normalize muscle tone. Building self-esteem, confidence, and balance are just a few additional benefits of this area program.

SIRE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and gratefully accepts donations of monetary support, horses, tack, farm and office supplies, but most particularly appreciates the donation of your time as a volunteer. If you are interested in volunteering for SIRE, please call 281-778-0202 for more information, visit www.siennastables.com or www.sire-htec.org. The next volunteer training will be held January 16th and 19th at all sites.

Fort Bend Cares supports this and other Fort Bend area charities. Make plans to attend our major fundraising events: the Dinner Party on March 8, 2008 at Fluor Daniel and the March 10, 2008 Golf tournament at Sweetwater Country Club. Call 281-491-0020 to get involved with Fort Bend Cares.

SIRE, Houston’s Therapeutic Equestrian Centers, is preparing for the 15th annual Saddle Up for SIRE Ride-A-Thon trailride to be held Saturday, October 13 at 7il Trails in Cat Spring, Texas. This very important fundraiser helps support our programs of equine-assisted therapy for people with disabilities in the Greater Houston Area.

Horseback riders will enjoy a 12 or 6 mile unguided ride at 7IL Trails; just 50 miles west of Houston near the old German town of Cat Spring. Registration is $60 ($75 after October 9). Your registration includes the trailride, lunch provided by the award-winning BBQ cook-off team, The More or Less Cookers, and a special edition 2007 Ride-A-Thon t-shirt.

We’ll keep the “fun” in fundraising with prizes for top fundraisers. An exciting part of the Ride-A-Thon has always been the Team Competition. And you don’t have to ride a horse to win! Form a minimum 2-person team of riders or non-riders and compete for top fundraising prizes.

The top fundraising SIRE clients also get to ride our SIRE therapy horses on a specially designed trail and compete for prizes of their own!

Underwriter packages are available at $250, $500, $1000 and $5000 levels.
This trail ride celebrates 24 years of improving the lives of children and adults with disabilities and last year raised over $78,000 that went to support therapeutic horseback riding programs for 190 individuals who ride weekly at SIRE’s three locations – Hockley, TX; Spring, TX; and Fort Bend County @ Sienna Stables.

The mission of SIRE is to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities using horseback riding and related therapeutic activities, such as hippotherapy and carriage driving. SIRE offers programs for children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities, sensory impairments, and psychosocial disorders.

For a registration brochure, information on becoming an underwriter or more details, call Harla at 713-263-1498 or visit www.sire-htec.org.

On the evening of Saturday, May 12th, more than 500 buckaroos in tuxedoes moseyed in to the Downtown Hyatt Regency ballroom to kick-up their heels for SIRE, Houston’s Therapeutic Equestrian Centers, at the 2007 Shining Stars Over Texas Shindig.

It’s not a barn dance anymore! At this annual black-tie dinner-dance and auction, Bob Allen, Sports Anchor, KTRK ABC TV 13, returned as emcee for the evening, and shared his personal story about how SIRE benefits children and adults with disabilities.

Guests sat down to a five-course dinner surrounded by glittering table decorations and a backdrop of twinkling white stars. As the auction progressed, patrons danced to music by ‘Sound Advice’ .

This year’s Shining Stars Over Texas Shindig honored two of SIRE’s brightest stars, Jackie and Bill McDonald, of Magnolia, Texas. The generous contributions of time and resources given by this amazing couple enable SIRE to grow and expand their therapeutic riding programs, serving more people with special abilities throughout the Greater Houston Area.

Thanks to the continued support of volunteers like the McDonalds, children and adults with cognitive, physical and emotional disabilities are receiving the life-changing benefits of equestrian therapy.

SIRE was established in 1983 to provide equine-assisted therapy for people with disabilities of all ages. Today, SIRE operates three premier accredited NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) centers in and around Houston, and is recognized as one of the nation’s top therapeutic riding programs.

Each week, approximately 187 clients ride at SIRE Hockley, SIRE Spring, and SIRE Fort Bend @ Sienna Stables.

Hunting PLC announced today that it is donating $100,000 in proceeds from the Hunting Art Prize to SIRE, a Houston-based charity that uses therapeutic horseback riding and related activities to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.

The contribution includes funds generated from an auction at the April 29 Art Prize gala, as well as a donation based on sales of the finalists’ work shown at the event.

“We are pleased and honored to be able to show our support for SIRE in this way,” said Dennis Proctor, Chief Executive of Hunting, whose U.S. corporate headquarters are located in Houston. “We believe strongly in what the organization does, and are glad for the opportunity to help them grow and gain greater recognition for all that they do.”

SIRE, which stands for Self Improvement through Riding Education, has served the Houston area since 1983. It is one of just 212 therapeutic riding centers to earn Premier Accreditation by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association out of 700 centers nationally.

The Hunting Art Prize relocated to Houston in 2006 after 25 years in London, where it emerged as one of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious art competitions. Houston artist Francesca Fuchs won the $50,000 prize, which is one of the most generous in North America.

About Hunting PLC
Hunting PLC is an international oil services company providing support solutions to the world’s largest oil and gas concerns. Established in 1874, it is a fully listed public company, traded on the London Stock Exchange. For further information, visit www.hunting.plc.uk

SIRE, Houston’s Therapeutic Equestrian Centers provides equine-assisted therapy to children and adults with disabilities. Join our team of dedicated volunteers and help these special riders mount up and leave their disabilities on the ground.

Orientation -
Hockley: Wednesday May 30 6-8PM
Spring: Wednesday May 30 10AM-12PM, 6-8PM
Fort Bend @ Sienna Stables: Wednesday May 30 6-8PM

Training –
Hockley: Saturday June 2 8AM-1PM
Spring: Saturday June 2 8AM-1PM
Fort Bend @ Sienna Stables: Thursday, May 31 10AM-2PM

For more information call:
SIRE Hockley: 281-356-7588 X 209
SIRE Spring: 281-353-6160
SIRE Fort Bend @ Sienna Stables: 281-431-1741

May 12, 2007 - Hyatt Regency, Downtown Houston

SIRE, Houston’s Therapeutic Equestrian Centers’ Annual Fundraising Shindig is a Texas black-tie event that is recognizing SIRE’s volunteers from all over Harris, Montgomery and Fort Bend Counties. This year’s Shining Stars Over Texas Shindig honors two of SIRE’s brightest stars, Jackie and Bill McDonald, of Magnolia, Texas. For over a decade, The McDonalds have contributed their time, their resources and their hearts to support SIRE’s mission of equine-assisted therapy.

Jackie began as an arena volunteer and now serves on SIRE’s Board of Directors. She has been a committee member and co-chair of SIRE’s biggest fundraisers, the Ride-A-Thon and the Shindig. Some of the most successful Ride-A-Thons have been under Jackie’s leadership. Her involvement with the Shindig helped to create the sophisticated and successful black-tie gala that it is today.

Bill owns and operates D & L Electric Company, which completely re-wired SIRE’s facilities in Hockley and Spring, updating the electrical systems and adding bright, new arena lights. With the help of his award winning BBQ cook-off-team, ‘The More or Less Cookers’, Bill also donates and prepares lunch for the 350+ attendees at SIRE’s annual Ride-A-Thon.

The generous contributions of this amazing couple are part of the solid financial foundation that enables SIRE to grow and expand, serving the people with special abilities of the Greater Houston Area.

Sponsorship Package Info | Sponsorship Reply Form | Program Ad Order Form | Auction Contribution Form

Volunteers at SIRE donate 30,000 hours of their time to our program each year. This is the equivalent of 18 full-time employees with a total salary level of $500,000-$1 million.