March 21 – April 1, 2011
HOUSTON, (Pin Oak) – Once known as Houston’s hometown horse show, the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show has become a world-renowned equestrian event. Each spring, Pin Oak Charity Horse Show welcomes the equestrian world to Houston and will give its exhibitors, sponsors, and spectators a dazzling show from March 21 – April 1, 2012 at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center as it Steps Up and Steps Out for Children. The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show is proudly presented by BBVA Compass Bank. Hosting more than 1,500 horses and more than 1,200 riders annually, Pin Oak brings together Hunters and Jumpers, American Saddlebreds, Andalusians and Lusitantos, United Mountain Horses, Welsh Ponies, and more in a two week equestrian extravaganza that has been a Houston tradition for 67 years.
The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show is known as one of the oldest and most prestigious horse shows in the country, and one of Houston’s most unique social and fundraising events. The thunder of high-stepping hoof beats in the sand, the rap and rattle of a hind leg just brushing the rail of an impossibly high jumps, and the many majestic breeds are just part of the story. The reason Pin Oak Charity Horse Show was created by J. S. Ambercrobmie and his wife, Lillie, in 1945, is the same reason the show continues today – charitable giving. Proudly, the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show recently presented its charities with $125,000 for 2011 bringing total contributions to over $5 Million since the show’s inception. Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston’s Ronald McDonald House Family Rooms, and Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance are the beneficiaries of the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show. This year’s donation completed a $300,000 commitment to Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus Cancer Center and initiated a new commitment of $400,000 to Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus Child Life Services.
The commitment to Texas Children’s Hospital by the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show demonstrates its dedication to Houston. Pin Oak Charity Horse Show began raising money for Texas Children’s Hospital in 1948 and provided the seed money to build the hospital we know today in Houston’s medical center. Now, a new Pin Oak generation is dedicated to supporting the expansion of Texas Children’s Hospital in west Houston to those needing the care of this best-in-class hospital. Pin Oak is privileged to support the healing of sick children through horsepower.
Houstonians, show-goers from across the country, and around the world enjoy the heart racing Grand Prix action with Olympic-level athletes and their horses clearing jumps of unthinkable heights, the elegance of the International Hunter Derby with the fabulous hats sported by spectators, the American Saddlebred known as the “Peacock of the Show Ring” and the breed that is at the heart of Pin Oak history, and so much more. Recognized over the years for its excellence and charitable giving, Pin Oak proudly has received many prestigious awards including the first United States Equestrian Federation Heritage Award, named a top 25 Horse show by the North American Rider’s Groups for 2010, and recently Texas Children’s Hospital honored Pin Oak Charity Horse Show with a nomination for Outstanding Fundraising Program as part of National Philanthropy Day 2011.
While a kaleidoscope of equestrian splendor happens for two weeks annually, Pin Oak Charity Horse Show is engaged throughout the year in planning activities, social events, and outreach with its charities. Pin Oak Show supporters and volunteers bring ArtReach to Texas Children’s Hospital annually, decorate areas of Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus for holidays, provide activity bags for young patients, and will host a family luncheon at Houston’s Ronald McDonald House (RMH) in January 2012 for families needing the comfort offered by Houston’s RMH. Books have been collected and donated to its charities for their in-house libraries along with gifts of toys and games for children and families to enjoy.
Education is also supported and championed by the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show. Pin Oak hosts “Education Days” during the show annually so young school children can experience the wonder of equestrian sports, enjoy a behind the scenes look at the show by touring a series of learning stations, and watch demonstrations by horse and rider in the BBVA Compass Bank arena. For equestrian athletes who are high school age and would like to continue showing in college, the Pin Oak Club brings to Houston a College Equestrian Fair featuring colleges from across the country with equestrian riding teams and competitive equestrian programs. To encourage and inspire reading, the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show is bringing a photography exhibit “The Literary Horse: When Legends Come to Life” by artist Vanessa Wright of New Hampshire to the Houston Public Library, Main Branch. The exhibit will open mid-February and will run through March 31, 2012. For a preview of the exhibit, visit www.theliteraryhorse.com. Riders read and Pin Oak hopes to inspire reading through the majesty of the horse.
Inside the show ring and out, the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show offers something for everyone over the two weeks of the show. From the novice to the professional exhibitor, and for those who enjoy the many social events that take place during the show including the grand galas, those who enjoy volunteering their time, or those who choose to sponsor one of Pin Oak’s many events, the show truly has something for everyone one. As Lynn Walsh, President of the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show puts it, “Pin Oak is more than a horse show, it’s an event and one that makes a difference in the lives of children.” Pin Oak Charity Horse Show invites all of Houston to Step Up and Step Out for Children – no horse required!
To sponsor, volunteer, or find out more about showing at The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, visit the website at www.pinoak.org, email info@pinoak.org, or call Roxanne Cook at 713-621-6290. Pin Oak Charity Horse Show is a 501-c (3) not for profit entity.
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