Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
4 A Quarter of a Century
7 Award Winners
8 Trailblazers Society
9 Donation Appreciation
12 Shindig
ON THE COVER
Emily Hughes
is crowned
Princess at
the Houston
Livestock
Show &
Rodeo’s Top
Hands Show
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A Trot
Down
Memory pony, Sambo. Sambo was brownish-gray, a
little bigger than Sam, and lived in a
T
ake a walk (or trot!) with me “Tack Master” to make sure that all of the
down Memory Lane… back to bridles, saddle pads, helmets—basically all
1984, when I saw an ad in my of SIRE’s worldly belongings—were neatly
neighborhood paper for volunteers at a packed away in our one large tack trunk. It
therapeutic horseback riding program in was a very exciting day when that tack
Cypress called SIRE, Self Improvement trunk was replaced with an 8' x 10' wooden
through Riding Education. I knew this building that would eventually travel with
would be something perfect for me, since SIRE to two other locations. SIRE remained
horses and kids were my loves. At Volunteer at Oakhollow for five years and grew to ride
Orientation I met Cindy Lindh, SIRE’s 33 clients, twice a week. Two of those riders,
founder, President of the Board and Gabrielle Powers and Erin Brown, are still
instructor, and about six or seven other new riding today. Diana Moss and Karen Abbott
volunteers. Little did I know at that time the began volunteering at Oakhollow and
t Oakhollow
Sam & Sambo a hold SIRE would have on my heart for many remain as key members of the SIRE family.
-1985
Equestrian Park years to come.
FUNDRAISING IN THE 80s
HAULING SAM & STOPPING TRAFFIC Very soon I was asked to join the Board of
One of my weekly jobs in my first semester Directors. At that time, the board managed
of volunteering was to meet Joan Woodard, all of SIRE’s affairs, from approving a $60
SIRE’s first Volunteer Coordinator, at J Bar M expense for the purchase of a file cabinet to
Ranch on Kluge Road. Joan would bring a setting the riding schedule. Fundraising in
borrowed horse trailer to pick up Sam, our the early days consisted of garage sales, car
roan-colored Welsh pony. I helped load up washes and pony parties. We would get Sam
Sam and followed them back to Oakhollow and Sambo all gussied up to give pony rides
Equestrian Park on Grant Road in Cypress, at birthday parties for a donation. We also
Garage Sale at where the owners, Karen and Greg Zalar, made and sold “Lick-a-Stick for SIRE”,
Oakhollow
1988 donated their facilities for our SIRE classes candy suckers in the shape of a horse. No
one afternoon a week. Stalls were full, so Shindig galas and Ride-a-Thons back then!
they had no room to board Sam or our other We scrimped and saved everywhere we
2 The SIRE Crier
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could. In August, when school supplies While at Bluebonnet Riding Academy, our
were on sale, I would travel to Walmarts all Guardian Angel brought us two new
over town hunting for folders to use for our volunteers who would prove to be very
volunteer manual, and pick through the important to SIRE’s future: Karen McPhail
various colors until I pulled out all the blue Gardner and Molly Sweeney. Four of the
ones. There were many, many times when I riders who started at Bluebonnet are still SIRE float in th
e Tomball
would get a call from Diane Ardissono, our riding with us: Robert Anderson, Nathaniel Parade -1991
treasurer, saying that we did not have Hunter, Aubrey Sartain and Erin Denmark.
enough money to last through the semester Cheryl Kersh began in 1992 at Bluebonnet
and we would probably have to close down. and continues to volunteer at SIRE-Hockley.
That’s when our Guardian Angel would take
over and, out of nowhere, a big donation A SECOND SIRE LOCATION DEBUTS
would come in to sustain us for another In 1991, Lyndon and Cathy Wright
semester. approached us about opening another SIRE
site at their home in Montgomery. Not only
A TIME BEFORE COMPUTERS was the location in Cypress growing, but
When I became Volunteer Coordinator in here was the opportunity to serve more
1988, computers were not yet a household clients in another area. So the SIRE
riders at the
Volunteers and
item, and certainly not one owned by SIRE! Montgomery site was born with the help of te - 1991
Montgomery si
I would write the entire day’s schedule of Lyndon and Cathy and also Warren and
three or four classes on a chalk board. I had Kimberly Reininger. Lyndon and Warren
an index card for each volunteer with their joined the board and Kimberly served as
address, phone number and other pertinent Development Committee Chair and
information. Countless hours were spent on instructor at the Montgomery site. Warren
the phone scheduling and confirming eventually succeeded Cindy Lindh as board
volunteers. Today’s computers, spreadsheets president in 1993. Krysia Barnes and James
and email have certainly improved that job! Giovanniello started at Montgomery and still
ride today.
A MOVE TO BLUEBONNET
In 1989, we picked up our little wooden CYPRESS SITE MOVES AGAIN
building and our herd of the two ponies and The Cypress site made another move in Rider at Jordans - 1994
two horses, Truckston and Majesta, and 1993 to Jordan Quarter Horses on Kitzman
moved to Bluebonnet Riding Academy on Road. SIRE now owned eight horses, five at
Huffmeister Road in Cypress run by Colonel Cypress and three at Montgomery. The year
Roberto Perea. Here we expanded lessons to 1993 also brought the first Ride-a-Thon
three days a week and began a pilot which netted SIRE about $4200. The little
program with Millsap Elementary School. wooden building that had been moved twice
Once a week, students from their special was bursting at the seams with all of our
education class rode and learned stable tack, file cabinets, and supplies. We ordered
management skills. Back at school, an a wonderful brand new 10'x20' metal
equine theme was incorporated into their building (now known as the “Welcome
curriculum, including having the book Wagon” at the Hockley site). We were finally
“Happy Horsemanship” as their reader. able to have a real office with a desk and the Our little wood
en building
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first SIRE telephone line. Our time at the REMEMBER OUR BBQ?
Jordan’s brought us more wonderful people The predecessor of the SIRE Shindig Gala
who are still a part of the SIRE family today, was what we called the “Barbeque/Auction”.
including Pat Roddy, Darlene Dummer and The first one in 1993 at the VFW Hall in
Rebecca Gribben and clients Rebecca Cypress raised about $6000. This event
Chambers, Melissa Flowers, Derek evolved into “Horses and Harleys”, a rip-
Blackburn, Jackie Forsthoff, Carolyn Howell, roaring BBQ dinner/dance/live and silent
Christopher Wilson, and Gary Lynn. auction held at Tin Hall in Cypress. Our
friend, Johnny Mancuso of Mancuso Harley
ANOTHER FIRST: AN EMPLOYEE Davidson, helped organize and promote this
In those first ten years almost everyone was to all of his motorcycle friends. I think some
a volunteer, from administrators and people came just to see the long line up of
coordinators to the instructors. We decided fancy Harleys outside in the parking lot... or
our first part-time paid position should be a was it to buy a chance on a shiny new
Head Instructor. In 1994, this job was put Harley in our raffle!
in the very capable hands of Karen Abbott, Coming in the next issue – The Trot Down
“Horses and Harleys”, Johnny SIRE’s first employee. Memory Lane continues!
Mancuso & friends - 1997
K
aren Abbott, Head Instructor at have ever been, and the
SIRE-Hockley, has a gift for result has been
teaching. Her accomplishments astounding. My son
are reflected in the success of the many would have missed one
riders she has coached and instructed in her of the most transforming
19-year career. Many people also consider gifts of nurturing love
Karen to be the top expert in developing that he has ever
programs for special needs riders in the experienced if he had
Houston area. not had the privilege of
Karen has a unique ability to work with being her student.”
a group, while individualizing each rider’s Another parent
achievements. In her life skills group, she speaks of Karen’s
teaches much more than riding skills. collaboration with the
Within one riding class, she works with a horses in therapy. “The
person with mild mental impairment, a horses adore Karen not
young man with severe cerebral palsy, a girl only because she is a
with a severe cognitive impairment and skilled rider but because KUDOS FOR LUIS, TOO!
another person in the autism spectrum. she is so appreciative of their moods, Luis Cardenas named
NARHA Region VIII
Karen has well-being, and
Volunteer of the Year
developed them ability. She can
into a cohesive really fine tune that
team that supports perfect match
Round
each other and between horse and
participates more client rider to
UP
effectively in promote a IT’S MORE THAN A TOUR!
school. successful working Learn about SIRE by
“I have relationship. There joining us for one hour
observed Karen’s is a definite respect
planning and Karen Abbott wins the top award: NARHA’s and empathy SPRING - 10am
leadership skills in prestigious Instructor of the Year exhibited for these Saturday, July 12
many of the Special patient endearing Saturday, September 27
Olympics’ events from which my son has equines, and she shares proper treatment
received such joy,” said a parent of one of and care of them with everyone.” HOCKLEY - 10am
Karen’s students. “Her organization of SIRE’s Karen has the perfect combination of Saturday, June 28
participation is very evident and the results quiet gentleness with firm encouragement Saturday, September 6
are impressive.” that makes people around her want to
Judith Ann Hunter, whose son has succeed and trust that she will always be FORT BEND - 12 Noon
autism, was deeply moved by Karen’s there for them. Thursday, June 19
teaching, and said, “Nathaniel let her into —Excerpted with permission from “NARHA’s Thursday, September 11
that place within himself where few others Strides” Vol. 13 No. 4
The SIRE Crier 5
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SIRE-FORT BEND
Outstanding Staff Member
Based on unaudited results Vivien Savage
Child Equestrian
Thomas Schofield
experience. The validity of our programs Youth Equestrian
must be documented so that more people Dunston Bennett
Horse of the Year
can benefit from therapeutic riding and Jenkins
hippotherapy programs like SIRE. Over the Horse Angel
last 15 years, scientific research shows Sheri Shailer
positive progress. Jr. Volunteer of the Year
Jacob Pierce & Daniel Wagner
Volunteer of the Year
Recently, a significant study was conducted Bob Haas
by Washington University in St. Louis on SIRE-SPRING
the benefits of hippotherapy and the Outstanding Staff Member
duration of those benefits. Researchers Lorraine Ostrowski
tested children before they received any Child Equestrian
Kyla Aune
hippotherapy and again after they received Youth Equestrian
twelve treatments. The findings Crystal Halverson & Cody King
demonstrated that the children had 30% Adult Equestrian
Luke McLendon
improvement in trunk and head control.
Independent Adult Equestrian
Then, the same group was tested again after Nano Scherrieb
three months without hippotherapy—the Horse of the Year
results were the same! The children Clyde
Horse Angel
continued to have improved control without Andrew Parrish
any additional inputs. This means that each Jr. Volunteer of the Year
child experienced residual benefits from Chris Luce
equine-assisted therapy—very exciting Volunteer of the Year
Julie Most
news!
SIRE-HOCKLEY
SIRE has plans for research and outcome Outstanding Staff Member
Kassie Collins & Penny Kvello
measurement programs to substantiate the Rider of the Year
wonderful changes our clients experience Allison Funk
while riding on horseback. Studies like these Horse of the Year
Jet
are supported by the Horses and Humans
Bill Ryan Memorial Award
Research Foundation. Additional Fransica Gavia & Andy Downen
information: www.horsesandhumans.org; Horse Angel
bibliography of research studies: Heather Cusick
www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org. Jr. Volunteer of the Year
Shana Hagemeyer
—Karen M. Gardner Volunteer of the Year
Heather Cusick
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These donations were received August 2007 to January 2008. All donations are
Monetary Donations appreciated, but space does not allow us to list donations less than $100.
Monetary Donations
Schlumberger Technology Corp Linda Bowers Ralph & Barbara Flowers Madden Bolt Corporation
Laura & Bruce Shelby Michael & Melanie Branch Maureen Forsthoff David & Connie Maddox
Specified Lighting Sales Inc. Pedro Brandt Debbie Forth Thomas & Dana Magnusson
Jeff Springmeyer Vicki Bryan Frost National Bank - Westchase Rosemary Mahony
Startex Title Company Mary Buchorn Susan Fry John Mann
State Employee Charitable David Buck Andrea Fry Judi Marchand
Campaign John Bullington Mrs. James Funk Mike Mason
Alice & Kim Stewart Wayne Brent & Megan Bushnell- Natalie & Nelda Gallerano Marc Matejowsky
Stuckey’s Contract Services L.P. Brent John & Karen Gardner James & Margaret McClamroch
Suddath Relocation Systems, Inc. Kerry & Steven A. Buxbaum Chris Garner Denise McCormick
Sugarfoot Jog Ranch Sandra Byrd Ellen Garvin Michael McDonough
Kevin Sweeney David Cannon Audry Giles Gates Lake McMillian
The Szopiak Family Kristie Carlisle Justin & Tammy Gray Kevin Mellon
Cheryl Taylor David & Betsy Carlson Jacek Grosicki Charles W. Melton
James & Carol Taylor Nancy Carlson Suzanne Gwyn Mark & Donna Meyer
Howard Tellepsen Robert & Denise Casey Janet Hagy Daniel Miller
Therapy Pet Pals.org Rosanne Caton Donald & Elizabeth Hall Emmy Miller
Patricia Thompson Dixie Chalupa Halliburton - Global Impact Lin Mills
Wanda Todd Tracie Chase Ashley Harvick Gasper Mir
Tomball Urology Jessica Chase Shelley Hatwell Vickie Monk
Juan & Melaine Torres Laura Claghorn Lerleen Hawkins Carolyn Monroe
C. David Towery and Friends Lucille & Dee Clements Stephen & Kindra Hefner Ann Moore
Twisted X Boots Kelly Collins Logan Henderson Buddy Moriarty
Marie & William Wise Kassie Collins Lothar & Sandy Hirt J.G. & Jeannie Mortimer
Mark & Susan Zimmerman Congregation Emanu El Robert & Patrica Hogston Jennifer Moses
Pauline Cook David & Kathy Honerkamp Erin Moss
$100 to $249 Mary Corcoran Marianne Ibrahim Shelly Mulanax
George Adams Lisa Coryell-Niccum Rodney & Ladana Igler Charles Myers
Martha Adger Renee Coulter Sue Jarvis Anil Nair
Aetna Foundation Inc. Jamie Craddock Rebecca Jasinski Loren Nelson
Sarah Allison Melissa Crass Corrinne & Teryn Johnson Jim & Glennis Nokes
Jo Ann Altman Carolyn Cruse David & Toni Johnson Mary Nolen
Karina Amelang Norman & Susan Cumings Jan Johnson C.J. Overgoner
Jarrod & Natalie Angstadt Lisa Dahm Lucille Johnson Charles Parker
Phyllis Anzalone George Davenport Myra Johnson Trisha Pessarra
Diane Ardissono Laura Davis Diane Jones Larry & Barbara Peyton
Paige Atkinson DaySpring Resources, Inc. Cindy Jones Roberta Phares
Atlantis Poolscapes Mabel Diehl Dr. Jeffrey Kass Lucretia & Dallas Pittman
Bobby & Tracey Baillio Tom Dill Richard & Lucille Kearney Dow Pizzitola
Sharlette Bain Mike & Carol Dillingham Diedre Kindsfather Jennifer Porter
Steve & Donna Bair Thomas & Patricia Doll Pamela King Rose Marie Porter
Tammy Barclay Chris & Debbie Duell Susan Kutyba Bobbie Proctor
Jadwiga Barnes Daniel Duncan John & Lisa Marie Lacy R.O.C.K.
James Barnes Nadine Dunn Margaret Landow Clynt Raley
Veronica Barraza James Eaves Delhi & Linda Landrum Danald Hardy & Pamela Rawls
May Barton Justine Edmondson Michelle Langhetee Connie Reed
Stacy Baumgartner Kitty Edwards Linda Larson J. O. Ricco
Brett Beardsley Chris Eisbach Cynthia Latter Shawn Rice
Milton & Carla Beckendorff John & Shelley Elliott Henry & Teresa Lau Allyson Richard
Barbara Beckett Laura Eskridge Suzanne LeBars Robert & Vicky Rogers
Jody Bertini Susan Essick Abbe A. Ledbetter Jr., M.D. Rose Enterprises, Inc.
Sharon Beshouri Mark & Kathy Eyring Mark & Lisa Livingston Cynthia Ruiz
Eliza Bishop Suzanne Fain Sarah Lunsford Gertrude Rusche
Stephen Bishop Karole Fedrick Nathaniel & Elizabeth Lyles Matthew & Barbara Ryan
Macanda Block Renee Fichtl Alasdair Macrae Roula Sabbagh
Leigh Blout Sherry Flores Michael & Donna Macris Safeway
Rita Madden Charles & Mary Saltzer
10 The SIRE Crier
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These donations were received August 2007 to January 2008. All donations are appreciated, but space does not allow us to list donations less than $100.
John & Vivien Savage Brook Williams Johanna Little in memory of Barbara Barhiew
Nano & Pat Scherrieb Lynne Williams Leotoes Joy, her horse Boot Town
Delma Schriever Dennis Williams and Co., Inc. Jean McCloud in memory of Sarah Branded Western Wear
Collins
Brenda Schroeder Kelly & Scott C. Willis The Brass Ring
William & Jacqueline McDonald in
Gail Schubert Carlene & Bud Wiser memory of Lucia Flanagan Cavender’s
Leigh Ann Schultz Richard & Casey Wood John & Marilyn Seifert in memory Championship Trophies
Steven & Bonnie Schultz Christie Yeates of Randolph Cousins Collier Equine Vet Associates
Carlene Schultz Jennifer Young The Williams Companies, Inc. in Moira Cooper
Trey & Karen Shaddox John Young memory of SIRE’s Star
Robert Creasy
Kelly Sheperd Stephanie Young James & Linda Williams in
memory of Lucia Flanagan Crescent Moon Foundation
Sarah Shoemake Joel Youngblood Culligan Water
Richard Shott Claire Zadow Heather Cusick
In Memory of Jean Lykes Grace
William Simpson Cherrie Dee Ziese D and L Electric Co., Ltd.
Carolyn Allen
Kristi Skarbovig Dawn Davidson-Chmielewski
Thomas Blackburn
Gary Smale In Honor of Donations Tamara Genovese Davis
Don Weaver DVM
Kahne Smith Anonymous - in honor of Vance Cindy Duehning
Vineyard Earl & Maria Brewer
Donald & Gwen Spiess Equine Health & Livestock
Anonymous - in honor of Aramco Rhetta Davis
Rolynda Sprouse Services
Anonymous - in honor of Molly R. E. Debakey
Linda Srubar Equine Sports Medicine
Sweeney Claire Glassell
Sydney Staley Pam Fear-Green
Kathleen & Dan Dunn in honor of Laura Heinrich
Shelley Starnes Gabrielle Frohock
Molly Sweeney Esther Kane
Linda & Clifford Steakley Shah & Carol Ghani
Lorna Golder in honor of Nathaniel Dominique Kohl
Brian & Elizabeth Steele Hunter Mr. & Mrs. Larry Gillaspia
Margo Loeffler
Ross & Sherrill Stephenson Nancy & A. L. Griffith in honor of Rebecca Gribben
Colleen M. Mahoney James Lykes
Jim & Judy Stover Mary Kay Hasseman
Ann Hendrickson in honor of Lee Kristine Maclay
George & Holly Strapulos Lori Hazlewood
Ann Hudson Jim & Rhetta McAlister
Pamela Svete Sharon Hipp
Paul & Julie Herman in honor of Charles T. Newton, Jr.
William & Karen Taylor Jenny Booth McIntosh Cynthia Hodges
Judy Orthwein
Brian & Felicia Tew Laurie Hero in honor of Suzanne Kathy Honerkamp
Philip & Lacy Price
George & Anna Mary Thomas H. Nowotny Susannah Hughes
Sherry Schnapp
Tammy Thomas James & Margaret McClamroch in KV Vet Supply
honor of Mary Lowe Carey Shuart
Carol & Chuck Thompson Lori Hazlewood
Jenny McIntosh in honor of Liska W. Temple Webber
Dave Throckmorton Rena Ludwick
Gaffney William Wise
Laverne Tielke Jim & Rhetta McAlister
William O’Neill, Jr. in honor of
R. & K.A. Tintner Molly Sweeney Laura McCaskey
In Memory of James Kvello
Friend of SIRE Shady Brook Animal Hospital in Laurie Oglesby
American General Life Insurance
Richard & Tori Trevino honor of Erin Denmark Co. Diane Payne
B.C. & B.S. Trover Tauber Oil Company in honor of Harry Bounds Dennis & Karen Perry
Cynthia Ruiz PetSmart
Stephen Trujillo Darlene Clark
Howard & Alyce Ann Wagner in Olva Pharo
Connie Ullrich honor of Peggy Wagner Tim & Lora Diebling
Sheila Ullrich Barbara Galentin Cindy Erin Ponsonby
Susan Welsh in honor of Joe Welsh
United Galvanizing, Inc. Marlene Kahanu John Eubanks, Premium Building
Co.
J. Michael Urban In Memory Of Donations Alan Kvello
Tim & Julie Redding
Marcie Vantrease Ed Ayres in memory of Norman Robert & Dorothy Michalek
Patricia Roddy
Lauri Vasseur Swersky Kay Penney
Rosehill Vet Clinic
The Von Brecht Family Carolyn & Glen Clover in memory Robyn Sweesy
of Pat Sharp Chesley Russo
Waller Equine Hospital
Doris Cousins in memory of Sign Solution
J.L. Walters In-Kind Donations – Goods &
Randolph Cousins Sally Stalter
Geoffrey & Marilyn Walton Services
Barbara Eldelberg in memory of Sabrina Strawn
Daniel Wang Sarah Collins 6 D Ranch
7IL Trails Gary Taylor
Lundy Wantland Marilyn Fortenberry in memory of
Sydney Roxburgh Karen Abbott Texas Horse Talk Magazine
Ward Brothers Insurance
Evelyn & Allan Goldstein in Airline Graphics Total Rental
Philippa Warfield-Hine
memory of Claudia Pawlowski Glenn & Hanneke Aker Waller Equine Clinic
Timothy Wesneski
Janine Iannarelli in memory of Baker Communications James T. Wenman, Jr.
Misty White Elodie Raux
Baker Concrete Construction Kristen Wilth
William White Marc Jankowski in memory of
Blaine Williams Leotoes Joy, horse of Johanna Little Dr. Patricia Baley
The SIRE Crier 11
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SIRE, Inc.
SIRE-SPRING NON PROFIT
24161 Spring Drive
ORG
Program Director/Head Instructor Lorraine Ostrowski Hockley, TX 77447
U.S. Postage
281-356-7588
PAID
Instructor
Volunteer Coordinator
Shayna Bolton
Sally Fanta
TO: A Friend of SIRE Permit No. 110
Tomball, TX