30th anniv logo
PONY TALES    
SIRE, Houston's Therapeutic Equestrian Centers 
 
January, 2013
In This Issue
Upcoming Educational Events
Mark Your Calendar
SUDS, SCENES AND SECRETARIAT
Top 12 Worthy Causes
Annual Surveys
Site News
Welcome New Staff
Tollhouse Memorial
Volunteer Corner
SIRE Pictures!
  Spring Train
Lili welcoming the new volunteers at Spring's Training and speaking about Suds, Scenes and Secretariat
Ft. Bend Train1
Ft. Bend Orientation
Ft Bend train2
Ft. Bend Training
jen cayenne 
Jen Donahue and Cayenne
 
SIRE Quick Links
Visit our website for more information on volunteering, becoming a client or making a donation. 

You can also view the Volunteer Manual 
here.
 
View our photos here

Like us on Facebook  Find Us On Facebook

Follow us on Twitter  Follow Us On Twitter

Visit our blog  Visit Our Blog

View our videos on YouTube

Find us on Pinterest



Upcoming 2013 Educational Events

Therapeutic Riding Instructor Training Course

Saturday, Jan. 12 to Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013

 

PATH Intl On-Site Workshop and Certification

Wednesday, Mar. 13 to Saturday Mar. 16, 2013

 

Developmental Vaulting Clinic

Sunday, Mar. 24, 2013 - New Date

 

Skill Progression Clinic

Sunday, Apr. 14, 2013

 

For additional information or to request a Registration Packet please contact Anthony Busacca at: (281) 356-7588 ex 208 or [email protected]

Mark Your Calendar
First Day of Spring Semester

Saturday, January 12th


Suds, Scenes and Secretariat

Saturday, January 26, 2013
6:30-10:00 p.m.
Alamo Drafthouse, Katy
 
Triple Crown Gala - NEW MONTH
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Westin Oaks Galleria
Watch for details coming soon!
SIRE Pinterest

wheelchair

 Things to Remember . . . 

 dressage pic   

Horses!

Visit our Pinterest page here for these Boards and more . . .

Suds, Scenes and Secretariat

Secretariat  

SUDS, SCENES AND SECRETARIAT

 

Turning 30 on January 26th?  You get a free seat! (proof required) Lots of opportunities to join in, have fun and help SIRE's clients!

 

Saturday, January 26, 2013

6:30 - 10:00pm

Alamo Drafthouse

Katy, Texas

 

Beer and Wine

Dinner

Live Auction

SECRETARIAT on the big screen

$44.00 per ticket

 Casual attire

 

To donate, sponsor, and/or purchase individual tickets CLICK HERE

   

We're also looking for donations of AUCTION ITEMS such as:

  • Things to do with Kentucky and horse racing
  • Bourbon
  • Things to do with Suds like beer
  • Mint Julep Cups
  • Recreational items
  • Gift Cards for restaurants, events, cultural venues, massages, movies, services
  • Horse Art
  • Horse Themed DVDs or Blue Rays such as Seabiscuit, Hidalgo, Man from Snowy River, Black Beauty, Dreamer, All the Pretty Horses, Something to Talk About,  Phar Lap, The Black Stallion, The Electric Horseman, The Horse Whisperer
  • Sporting Memorabilia
sss strip
SIRE Chosen Top 12 Worthy Cause

  horseback mag 

SIRE was honored to be chosen as one of Horseback Magazine's "12 Worthy Causes for the 12 Days of Christmas". You can read the entire article here.

Annual Surveys

Tell us what you think! SIRE needs your feedback. Please help us improve our services and raise more money by completing one of these annual surveys. Click here for the VOLUNTEER survey or click here for the CLIENT survey. Both are short and will require very little time to complete. Thank you in advance for helping SIRE!

Site News

Our Ft. Bend site was featured in two articles in Ft. Bend Lifestyles and Homes. The first article is about SIRE's Saddle Up for SIRE Ride-a-thon and top money raising volunteer Jill Butler.  It also features first time trail rider and top trail ride fundraiser Marie Tanagho.  You can read the full article here.  The second article is about Ft. Bend's partnership and move to the Richmond State Supported Living Center.

Click here to read all about it.

 

Hockley has a new horse thanks to an anonymous donor.  Max is an 11 year old Palomino gelding with a background in eventing.

Welcome New Staff Members

Jen Donahue is the newest addition to SIRE's staff of instructors. She has accepted a full-time instructor position at Fort Bend along with one day each week at the Spring site beginning in early January.  Jen came to us from the Texas Tech Therapeutic Riding program in Lubbock, Texas.  Prior to that Jen was with Equest in Wylie Texas. She is an Advanced level instructor as well as a driving instructor. We look forward to being able to add driving back to our program in the future.  Jen is the proud owner of Cayenne, a 12 yr old paint mare, a rescue dog named Trio and a cat named Talulah.  Traveling, reading, cooking and teaching are among her many interests.  She says she is thrilled and blessed to be joining SIRE.

 

Kelly Henderson has joined Janet Hopkins as co-Volunteer Coodinator at the Hockley site.  Kelly first came to SIRE fourteen years ago when her son Logan was a rider.  Logan was ten years old at the time and rode for nine years before he passed away.  She returned to SIRE as a volunteer because of her great affection for the riders and their families.  Kelly is married and has a son and daughter.  She is currently attending Texas Women's University school of physical therapy.  

Tollhouse Memorial Service

SIRE's Hockley site celebrated the life of therapy horse Tollhouse with a memorial service and the planting of an Oak tree in his honor.  Tollhouse passed away on November 4th after a brief illness.  He worked in classes and special events for SIRE for seven years.  Hockley volunteer Candy Beneke owned Tollhouse and generously shared him with SIRE.  He will be missed but will remain forever in our hearts.

Tollhouse memorial  
Candace Beneke with a portrait of Tollhouse  
Volunteer Corner

Just a reminder that when you are on the campus of Richmond State Supported Living Center (RSSLC) you should only visit the Equestrian Center and the adjacent Parent's Park. If you would like to tour RSSLC, please call 281-344-4525 to request a facility tour.

 

All three sites still have openings for volunteers. If you know of someone who would like to participate as a volunteer please have them contact the Volunteer Coordinator at your site.

 

HOCKLEY

Janet Hopkins or Kelly Henderson

[email protected]

 

SPRING

Kathy Bigelow

[email protected]

 

FT. BEND

Maryann Gerity

[email protected]

Please forward comments to
Kathy Bigelow, Editor