In a nod to the importance of the role of show secretary, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has named the Top Ten Show Secretaries for 2008. Pin Oak Charity Horse Show congratulates Nancy Nathanson, who has been Pin Oak’s Andalusian show secretary for the past four years, on the honor of being included on that list. According to Diane Popp, USEF Director of Sports Data, the secretaries honored all went “above and beyond” their job description. That certainly fits in this case, as Nancy was lauded by exhibitors Walter and Judy Henslee for working with them to avert calamity. In the wee hours of the morning, their stallion Saltador ORO became trapped in his stall. Minutes before his class was called, Nancy recruited help from the jump crew to free the horse, while communicating with the steward about the possibility of a gate hold. After a suspenseful 15 minutes, Saltador entered the ring on time, and won his class as Champion Stallion for 2009.
There were many other less exciting tasks that also factored into this recognition, from timely and accurate reporting of results, to responding to staff requests. So for all you do, Pin Oak’s Andalusian exhibitors thank you, Nancy!
The Texas Hunter and Jumper Association and The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show are proud to announce the first annual Texas Hunter and Jumper Equestrian Sport College Fair hosted by the Pin Oak Club on Friday, September 18, 2009, at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas. The THJA Equestrian Sport College Fair will be held in The Arena Club at GSEC, overlooking the magnificent Main Indoor Arena, which will be featuring the Southwest Showdown Hunter/Jumper Show. Our plans include a Meet and Greet session for equestrian-minded high school students from Houston and surrounding areas from 3:30 to 6:30 PM, a half hour break, then an open forum discussion with our distinguished panel of speakers representing coaches and riders from both varsity and intercollegiate schools. Corporate sponsorship for the College Fair is generously provided by Running Creek Trailers. For more information, call the Pin Oak office at 713-621-6290. If you prefer, you may contact Roxanne Cook at pinoakroxy@aol.com for more information. We hope to see you there! The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization supporting Texas Children’s Hospital and The Ronald McDonald House of Houston.
The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show is produced almost completely by a small army of volunteers. Some of us work on the Show year round, but just before and during show time, the heavy labor starts. We are blessed with some very bright lights, volunteers who show up faithfully, labor cheerfully, and take on the responsibility of a job until it is done. We are so happy to salute some of those bright, shining examples of volunteerism.
Jim Wenman made an outstanding contribution every day of the show, handling all of the small details that are so frequently overlooked during the bustle of daily activities.
Monique Doherty, now in her fourth year of volunteering with Pin Oak, was always available with a smile to work on the less desirable and low profile projects.
The Hilltop Pony Club, the Tejas Pony Club and the Gary Scheibe Family did a fantastic job organizing and running the Bistro.
Beth Colle andvolunteers from Ernst & Young organized and ran the Kids’ Party during Week 2. We would have been lost without them!
Julie Knowles returned this year to direct both Gala night check-ins. What a lady!
Donna Henderson began helping us in February with computer work, organization, and bartending. She was ready and willing to do anything we asked.
Amanda Wilson devoted her entire spring break to Pin Oak by working on the computer, selling merchandise and greeting guests.
Deitra Robertson, Craig Rabilio and Chris George, all from Deitra Robertson Real Estate, did a fantastic job setting up the Sponsors’ Club area, as did Marise Condon and Cathy King.
Rose Chambers served as the Pink Ribbon Class Committee chairman, and SGF Winning Ways Whinnies Youth Group and their sponsor, May Chaddick, raised money for the Pink Ribbon Class.
Nancy Simonds has served faithfully as ribbon presenter during the first week of the show for several years now.
Roger Gibson was a bright light, organizing the set-up for the Gala parties and providing the rose boquets awards for the Championship classes.
Ryan Walsh did a wonderful job of moving and building the merchandise booth. Thanks, Ryan!
And thanks to Chris Tudor, who helped with the raffle at all events leading up to the show.
The Pin Oak Horse Show sends thanks to all those who purchased raffle tickets for the many beautiful items that were donated. Drawing of the winning tickets took place Saturday evening, March 28, and Pin Oak is pleased to announce the following winners:
The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show concluded another very successful event on Sunday, March 29th. The show saw inaugural events, such as the Pink Ribbon Class, a new breed, the United Mountain Horses, the repetition of a beautiful traditional derby, the International Hunter Derby, now in its second year, and the exciting perennial highlights of the show, two Grand Prix jumping events.
The Pink Ribbon class, the American Saddlebred Ladies Five Gaited Class, honored those affected by breast cancer and raised funds for breast cancer research. The class was won by Fox Grape’s Dauntless owned by Fox Grape Farm. The United Mountain Horses added interest and variety to the show, and their exhibitors were enthusiastic and congenial. The USHJA International Hunter Derby, created to bring show hunters to the international level, proved to be an elegant, traditional event. For the second year, Argentum, a beautiful grey horse, was the winner. He is owned by Alta Balsadua and shown by Peter Pletcher. The Saturday evening crowd of Week 1 saw MTM Centano, owned by MTM Farm and ridden by Tracy Fenny, win the ever-exciting Grand Prix 1. The following Saturday, Happy Z, owned and ridden by Wilhelm Genn, won the Grand Prix 2.
Other show highlights included the American Saddlebred Five Gaited Championship, which as won by Leatherwood’s Colors Up, owned by Bill and Coe London. The Three Gaited Championship went to CH Mahvelous Asset, owned by Claude Pennington, and the Fine Harness Championship was won by It’s Double O’Deuce, owned by SGF Winning Ways Farm. For more class results, click here Class Results
