New United Mountain Horse Judge for 2010 Show

Due to an accidental injury, Andy Roberts is unable to serve as judge for the United Mountain Horse classes.  Pin Oak wishes him a quick recovery.  We are pleased to announce that Jimmy Black from Barnwell, South Carolina, will be judge the UMH division for the 2010 show.

Pin Oak Announces Host Hotels for 2010

The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show is pleased to announce our official host hotels for the 2010 show. TownePlace Suites – Marriott, located at 15155 Katy Freeway, Houston (281-646-0058) and Fairfield Inn & Suites – Marriott, located at 15111 Katy Freeway, Houston (281-646-0056) offer the Marriott Rewards Frequent Travel Program and a host of amenities, including a complimentary continental breakfast, all smoke-free rooms, free wireless high-speed internet access, pool, guest laundry facilities, fitness center, and on-site business services.  When you make reservations, ask for the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show rate.  You may also book your reservation online at http://cwp.marriott.com/houts-pinoakhorseshow.  See our Lodging/Maps/RV Information page under Show Info on this website for complete information and rates.

Welcome Towne Place Suites and Fairfield Inn & Suites!

Valobra Holiday Event

On the evening of December 3rd, Franco Valobra and Beatrice Bornibus, avid Pin Oak Charity Horse Show supporters, hosted a  holiday party for Pin Oak Club members and show sponsors.  The elegant cocktail party was given at their store in Highland Village, Valobra Jewelry and Antiques.  The highlight of the event was the presentation by Mr. and Mrs. Valobra of a beautiful piece of jewelry, which will be a main attraction for the raffle to be held during the show in March.  Raffle tickets are $50, and can be purchased through the Pin Oak office at 713-621-6290.  We send a heartfelt thank you to the Valobras for their unique and appreciated support of the Pin Oak Show.

Pin Oak College Fair Was a Winner

The Texas Hunter and Jumper Association and The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show hosted the first annual Texas Hunter and Jumper College Equestrian Fair on September 18, 2009, at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas.  The Fair was a huge success, welcoming 179 prospective college students and their families.  Sixteen colleges were represented.  Activities included a Meet and Greet session for equestrian-minded high school students from Houston and surrounding areas, followed by an open forum discussion with our distinguished panel of speakers.

Featured speakers were Larry Sanchez, Ellen White and Tanya McKay, representing Varsity Riding, and Amanda Love representing IHSA.  Colleges represented at this event included  Cornell University, Dartmouth, LSU, Mount Holyoke, North Central Texas College, Rice University, Savannah College of Art and Design, Southern Nazarene University, Sweetbriar College, Texas A & M, Texas Tech, University of Virginia Arlington, West Texas A & M, and William Woods University.  Corporate sponsorship for the THJA College Equestrian Fair is generously provided by The Texas Hunter & Jumper Association (THJA) and by  Running Creek Trailers.  The Fair was so successful that plans are already under way for next year!

Comments from our participants:

“Good variety of schools.  It was nice to see so much interest in riding teams.  Good forum for all the kids.”

“The panel was really informative, and the meet and greet helped with details about the different colleges.”

“Good format.  Good talking to the schools first, then the presentation later.  Great speakers.  Extremely informative.”

Madden Clinic a Huge Success for Pin Oak Club

Acclaimed trainer Frank Madden of New York conducted a two day clinic at Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas on November 9th & 10th.  Hosted by the Pin Oak Club, the clinic included hunter, jumper and equitation sessions for groups of riders, as well as exhibitions featuring Frank working one-on-one with riders and horses at several levels of ability.    Over 38 riders participated in the riding sessions, and over 110 auditors were ringside, watching intently as the well-known trainer helped riders get the best from their horses.   On Monday evening, 20 guests joined Frank for dinner at Hasta La Pasta restaurant.  Following dinner, Cathy Strobel of Horseback Magazine interviewed Frank, and then the session was opened for questions from the attendees.

“We feel lucky to have someone of Frank Madden’s experience and insight come to Texas,” said Patty Roberts, Pin Oak Executive Board member.  ”The Pin Oak Club is dedicated to bringing educational and fun events to this market.  I think everyone took away some very helpful and valuable information regarding their riding.”

As usual, this Pin Oak event was orchestrated largely by a team of volunteers.  Our thanks go to Event Co-Chairs Patty Roberts and Katrina Corn, Hospitality  Committee of Sally Hundley, Ruth Hawk and Susan Pelletier, Dinner Committee of Joan Cantrell and Monique Dougherty, Check-In Committee of Kathy Dougherty, Katrina Corn, Monique Dougherty and Nancy VonBrecht.  Thanks to Jim Wenman, who provided ringside management, and Lisa Atwell, who donated beautiful flowers for the event.  Roxanne Cook provided wonderful overall organization and support.

IMAGINE – Raising the Bar the Madden Way

The Pin Oak Club is pleased to announce a riding clinic with Frank Madden on November 9th and 10th at Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas.  Frank Madden stands out as one of the most successful and dedicated trainers of young and developing show jumping talent in the United States.  He has trained several of the most promising junior equitation and junior amateur jumper riders – riders who have the potential to represent the United States at the highest level of international competition.  Frank and several of his riders were featured in the 2005 Animal Planet series, “Horse Power: The Road to Maclay”.  Animal Planet filmed as Brianne Goutal made history as the first junior rider to win all the major equitation finals with her 2005 wins in both the USEF Medal Finals and the ASPCA Maclay Finals.

There are several opportunities to participate in the clinic. Fun with Frank ($600) includes one rider/horse session ticket, one unlimited auditor ticket and one dinner ticket.  Focus on Frank ($500) includes one rider/horse session ticket and one unlimited auditor ticket.  Audit by Frank ($75)  includes one auditor ticket, and may be used either Monday, November 9th, or Tuesday, November 10th.  Fine Dining with Frank ($100) includes one dinner ticket. Additional pricing for the clinic includes stalls ($50), shavings ($11 per bag), and a grounds fee ($15).  A barn discount of $10 per person is offered for 15 or more persons auditing from one barn.  Pin Oak Club members receive a $15 discount on all packages.

The clinic will include six divisions as follows:  3′ Hunter, 3′3″ Hunter, 3′6″ Hunter, 3′6″ Equitation, 3′3″ Jumper, and 3′6″ Jumper.

For detailed information, click here to download the Adult Entry Package. Click here for the Youth Entry Package.  And click here for the Audit and Dinner Package.

Do you have questions?  Click here for FAQs.

On training your horse, Frank explains: “The theory behind riding is developing a means of communication with words, using your voice, legs, seat and hands to send a message to the horse to do what he needs to do.”   Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to learn the communication skills to train your horse.