The cornerstone of the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show was set in 1945 and it was for charitable giving.  In its history, Pin Oak has given more than $5.5 million dollars back to help others, and sick children in particular.   As the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show looks forward to its 69th year, it draws on its beginnings – a spectacular multi-breed horse show established in 1945 to give back to the community –  to focus its mission and continue the legacy of giving.

In 1947, this vision took root with the seed planted by the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show in making the first donation ever to create the first pediatric hospital in the world that would become Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas. Today, Texas Children’s has grown to be the largest pediatric medical center of excellence and network in the world, with the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show continuing support of its growth, one stride at a time.

The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show has made a new commitment to raise $650,000 to continue its legacy of giving to Texas Children’s Hospital.  The pledge includes $550,000 to support the growth of the Sports Medicine Program at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus in Katy.  This funding will establish an endowed Sports Medicine Fellowship, which is a critical need for the hospital.  To honor this new commitment and to celebrate Pin Oak’s giving, Texas Children’s will name the Sports Medicine Gym at West Campus after the renowned horse show.  In keeping with Pin Oak’s commitment to grow its support as Texas Children’s Hospital grows, Pin Oak has pledged a $100,000 gift to support the new Texas Children’s Hospital Woodlands Campus.  Texas Children’s Hospital will name the Casting Room at The Woodlands Campus in honor of Pin Oak in recognition of this gift.  The hospital broke ground on January 31, 2014 as in celebration of the hospital’s 60th anniversary.

“Pin Oak has supported the growth of Texas Children’s Hospital from the very beginning. We’re celebrating our 60th birthday this year, and we’re truly honored to have Pin Oak give so generously to expand our care in the Sports Medicine Clinic at West Campus and at our newest campus in The Woodland,” noted Mark Wallace, president and chief executive officer of Texas Children’s Hospital.

The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show began contributing to expanding Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus in 2005 with a $300,000 gift followed by a $400,000 commitment that will be completed this year.  These two gifts, combined with the new pledge for Sports Medicine, brings the total giving to Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus to $1.25 million. 

“A multidisciplinary team of experts in our Sports Medicine Clinic provides individualized care for young athletes with a variety of conditions and injuries related to sports participation and exercise.  By investing in the well-being of young people at this critical formative time in their life, Pin Oak is helping guide them toward a healthier future,” said Dr. Albert Hergenroeder of Texas Children’s Hospital. Dr. Hergenroeder is chief, Adolescent Medicine Service and Adolescent Medicine Clinic; chief, Sports Medicine Clinic; and chief, Young Women’s Clinic.

This horse show has raised more than $5.5 million for children’s charities since 1945.   Proceeds from the horse show benefit Texas Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House Family Rooms and Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Alliance. The show attracts approximately 1,500 competitors and 2,000 horses over the two-week period.

“I have been affiliated with The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show for more than 20 years,” said Lynn Walsh, President of the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show and a long-time hunter-jumper competitor. “I am always impressed with the experience and compassion of the doctors, nurses and other caregivers of the sick children for whom all of us compete.  The fact the we do so much with our charities throughout the year, is a testament to the commitment of the Pin Oak equestrian community to help sick children and really is a remarkable thing for all.”

In 2013 with support from the equestrian community, its dedicated sponsors, volunteers, and corporate partners, Pin Oak was proud to donate $200,000 collectively to its charities - Texas Children’s Hospital, The Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, and Candelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance.  The Pin Oak charity Horse Show has an even greater giving goal for 2014 of at least $250,000.  Pin Oak’s extraordinary giving coupled with the year-long charitable outreach makes Pin Oak so much more than a horse show. 

The 69th Pin Oak Charity Horse Show presented by Haras Dos Cavaleiros and Irish Day Farm will run March 19-30 at the Great Southwest Equestrian in the Houston suburb of Katy, Texas.  Week I features American Saddlebreds, Andalusians, Lusitanos, Welsh Ponies, Working Equitation, Hunters, and Show Jumping.  Week II finds Hunters and Jumpers in all rings.   Over both weeks, there are two $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derbies, a $30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, and four Grand Prix events with prize money totaling $110,000.  Pin Oak is a USEF Premier rated show and USHJA Level 5 Jumper show.