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The Occupational Therapy Department of the University of Texas Medical Branch received a grant to fund a research project for a group of riders with multiple sclerosis.  They will be coming to the Hockley site for eight weeks during the spring semester.

 

A group of students from Turlington Elementary school in Waller will be coming on December 10th for a horsemanship field trip.

SIRE's Richmond/Ft. Bend site along with the Richmond State Supported Living Center celebrated their collaboration and Grand Opening on the evening of Thursday, Nov. 15th with a ribbon cutting and riding demonstration.  A buffet was prepared and served in part by Chef Wayne Webb, Director of RSSLC's Food Service and music for the evening was provided by the St. Thomas Jazz Combo.

 

The numerous speakers included Acting Richmond State Supported Living Center (RSSLC) Director Tim Weatherby, SIRE Executive Director Lili Kellogg, State Representative-elect Phil Stephenson, Commissioner of the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services Jon Weizenbaum and Assistant Commissioner for State Supported Living Centers Joe Vesowate.  Judy Schmid, President-elect of the Volunteer Services Council of the RSSLC spoke of the services provided by her group and Reva Williams from the RSSLC Parents' Committee gave a moving speech about the benefits that therapeutic riding has brought to her daughter's life. Terri Barnes, Past Director of the RSSLC Therapeutic Riding Program, traveled from Colorado to share in the ceremony. As guests departed at the end of the evening they were gifted with decorated horseshoes and SIRE logo-emblazoned glasses as mementos of the evening.     

   

Presentation of the Colors  

SIRE recently welcomed Frank Brooks, Rocky Pilgrim and Dale Mellencamp to its Board.  We're very excited to have these new members on our team and look forward to working with them in 2013!

 

On Saturday, November 17th the Greater Houston Horse Council held a benefit trail ride and membership drive at Bush Intercontinental Airport.  Part of the proceeds from the trail ride entry fee benefited SIRE. Thirty riders participated in the ride and eighteen of those riders were new GHHC members. Riders explored the Airport Ranger's North Trail Head and were then treated to lunch. Everyone had a great time and GHHC was able to make a $150.00 donation to SIRE from the trail ride proceeds.  We hope to be able to do another mutual trail ride with GHHC in the future.  Thanks to everyone at GHHC for hosting this event!

The Spring site welcomed three new horses during the month of November.  The first horse to arrive was Hanner.  Hanner came from the Mounted Division of the Houston Police Department.  He is a 12 year old Grey Thoroughbred gelding. Hanner has a couple of tricks that he learned from the HPD and he will be happy to show them to you for a peppermint. The second horse to arrive was Rosie.  She came to us from our current therapy horse, Harry's old owners.  Rosie is a registered Quarter Horse mare and is 18 years old.  She's a very pretty Bay and has a sweet personality to match.  Charan was the last to arrive. She is a 6 year old Arabian mare.  Charan is a petite Bay with a super friendly personality.  All three are in their 90 day probationary period and settling in nicely with the Spring herd.

 

  Rosie                           Hanner                       Charan