Houston Lifestyles & Homes magazine Jan 2009: News and Business

Pin Oak Charity Horse Show Celebrates 64th Season

The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, the country’s oldest and most prestigious horse competition, announced the launch of its 64th season. This year ’s show will be held, once again, at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy from March 18-29. It was also announced that BBVA Compass will be returning as the lead sponsor of the show.

Founded in 1945 by Houston philanthropist James S. Abercrombie and his wife, Lillie, The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show got its start as a fundraiser for the first hospital in Houston dedicated to children, and the proceeds of the 1947 show provided a considerable portion of the

initial backing that established Texas Children’s Hospital in the Texas Medical Center. To date, the show has raised close to $4 million for Texas Children ’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House of Houston.

With a recent commitment of $300,000, Pin Oak is now helping build Texas Children ’s first hospital outside the Medical Center and one of the largest suburban pediatric hospitals in the country, Texas Children ’s Hospital West Campus. The gift will support the Hematology/Oncology services at the new hospital.

The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show will be held over a two-week period and will feature a wide array of equestrian talent featuring hunters and jumpers, American Saddlebreds, Andalusians, Welsh ponies, and new for 2009, Dressage and the United Mountain Horse breed. The crown jewels of the event take place throughout the two weeks. Saturday evening, Week One features a $30,000 Grand Prix and championship finals; Week Two features the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby hosted by Valobra Jewelry and Antiques on Friday and the Momentum Audi /West Houston Audi $30,000 Grand Prix on Saturday. All of these events have ringside galas and special entertainment.

No tickets are required Tuesdays-Saturdays. Tickets are required for March 21 and March 28 at 6 p.m. General admission tickets are $10 for adults; children 12 and under are free. Sponsorship Opportunities are available for the gala dining experience.

For a complete show schedule, go to www.pinoak.org or call Wendy Cook at 713-621-6290.

GHF Receives Disaster Relief Grant

The Meadows Foundaton of Dallas, a long-time supporter of Galveston Historical Foundation, has announced a new $100,000 grant to help the organization stabilize its operations disrupted by Hurricane Ike.

“GHF is extremely grateful to the Meadows Foundation for this generous gift at a critical time in our history, ” said Dwayne Jones, executive director of GHF. “This gift reflects the Meadows Foundation’s ability to respond to emergencies with compassion and vision. With the Meadows Foundation ’s help, GHF will be able to continue its operations to assist property owners and businesses as we rebuild the historic island. ”

The special recovery grant is in addition to funds that the Meadows Foundation committed to “Partners in the Field,” a GHF program in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation that expands GHF ’s preservation services to make for a more environmentally sensitive preservation program.

GHRA Gourmet Gala Unites Community

Supporters of the restaurant industry gathered at the Hilton Post Oak for the Greater Houston Restaurant Association ’s annual Gourmet Gala.

More than 400 guests attended the glamorous event that garnered more than $55,000 for the GHRA, scholarships and the restaurant industry, which has recently suffered in the wake of Hurricane Ike.

Additionally, in lieu of favors, a donation was made to the James and Katharine Koonce Fund to support Brennan ’s of Houston’s “wine guy” and his daughter who were severely burned in a fire caused by Ike. The title sponsor of the event was Sysco Food Services of Houston, and other major contributors included El Toro, Brinker International and Glazier Foods Company.

The honoree of the night was Doug Brooks, a philanthropist as well as the CEO and president of Brinker International, the parent company of Chili ’s, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Maggiano’s Little Italy and On The Border Mexican Grill and Cantina. His award was based not only on his contributions to the restaurant industry, but his service in several organizations, including Limbs for Life, St. Jude Children ’s Hospital, the Kenny Can Foundation, the Dallas Citizens Council and the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts.

Brooks gave a speech encouraging everyone to continue their support for the industry.

In addition to a gourmet dinner and specialty drinks provided by Glazer’s Distributors, patrons were invited to participate in a silent auction and raffles including a trip to New York City, a piece of fine jewelry and a private chuckwagon dinner for 20.

Following the dinner, the crowd let their hair down and danced to favorite songs from the ’80s performed by the cover band, The Spazmatics.