Presented once again by BBVA Compass, Houston’s historic Pin Oak Charity Horse Show will be held over two weeks beginning March 23 and running through April 3, 2011 at Great Southwest Equestrian Center. The 66-year-old equestrian event has become one of the top venues in North America for Hunters, Jumpers, American Saddlebreds, Andalusian and Lusitano horses, Welsh ponies, United Mountain horses, and this year, Irish Draught horses. Famed for its social side and ringside hospitality, the show holds a Gala Dinner during each of two $30,000 Grand Prix jumping events, one held each Saturday night of the show that draw participants from as far away as Canada and Mexico. Dinner tickets are available as part of a number of Class Sponsor packages and are also available to members of The Pin Oak Club, the show’s yearlong events partner.

“Pin Oak is a volunteer organization, and as a result, our show is constantly evolving as new breeds and divisions are added, and new perks are created for our sponsors,” says Pin Oak President Lynn Walsh. “For us, excellence is a moving target, as we strive to make our event the best that it can be. We want to do things right for our wonderful exhibitors and to maximize the donation to our charities, Texas Children’s Hospital and Houston’s Ronald McDonald House, Family Rooms.” The show has committed to donate $300,000 to Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus over five years, and is now within $65,000 of meeting their goal.

Highlights of the 2011 show will include the $30,000 Pin Oak Grand Prix, the $30,000 Pin Oak Grand Prix presented by Houston Audi Dealers, and the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, sponsored by Valobra Jewelry and Antiques. For the American Saddlebreds Pin Oak will present a Pink Ribbon Class as a benefit for breast cancer. Andalusian, Lusitano and Welsh classes offer high point awards. A number of high-profile sponsors are part of the event, including BBVA Compass Bank, Houston Area Audi Dealers,McDonald’s, Valobra Jewelry and Antiques, Two Forks Catering, Energy XXI and Hermes of Paris, who will host the show’s kick-off party on March 10.

To sponsor, volunteer, or find out more about showing at The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, visit the website at www.pinoak.org or call Roxanne Cook at 713-621-6290. Pin Oak Charity Horse Show is a 501-c (3) not for profit entity.