The 72nd Pin Oak Charity Horse Show Recognizes 2017 “Honored Heroes”

Texas Children’s Hospital Patients Max Smith and Dorian Ross during Grand Prix Competitions on Family Nights March 25 and April 1

The 72nd Pin Oak Charity Horse Show presented by PJP Farm and Irish Day Farm is recognizing two Texas Children’s Hospital patients as Pin Oak’s 2017 “Honored Heroes.” Max Smith and Dorian Ross, along with their family members, will be special guests of The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show on Grand Prix Saturdays, March 25 and April 1. The horse show runs March 22 through April 2 at The Great Southwest Equestrian Center located at 2501 South Mason Road in Katy.
Max Smith, 7, is the Week 1 Honored Hero for the $30,000 Amalaya Investments and Oasis Petroleum Grand Prix event on Saturday, March 25. Doors open at 6 p.m. The event begins at 7 p.m. Dorian Ross, 8, is the Week II Honored Hero for the $30,000 Hildebrand Fund Grand Prix event on Saturday, April 1. Doors open at 6 p.m., this event also begins at 7 p.m.
Most events during the two-week horse show are free and open to the public. General admission tickets are available ($10 for adults and free for children 12 and under) for Grand Prix competitions on Saturdays, March 25 and April 1, and for the prestigious United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) International

Max Smith

Hunter Derby on Friday, March 31. In addition to its featured Grand Prix competitions on each Saturday of the two-week horse show, The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show is hosting Family Nights on Saturdays, March 25 and April 1, from 4 to 9 p.m. in the main covered arena. Children attending Family Nights with an adult chaperone will have access to free coloring books and crayons, popcorn and cotton candy, face painting, Pin Oak toy ponies, and visits with therapy ponies and miniature horses. Picnic baskets and coolers are welcome (glass containers are not allowed). Food trucks and a concession stand will also be available. Doors open at 4 p.m. with Grand Prix show jumping competition beginning at 7 p.m. Admission for adults is $10 per person. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Parking is free.
For tickets, please contact the Pin Oak office at 713-621-6290 or purchase online at pinoak.org.
About the Heroes
Max Smith is a happy seven-year-old boy today. When he was four years old, he began to behave differently, his mother’s intuition knew something was wrong. Tests indicated that his blood sugar level was high, and Max was transferred to Texas Children’s Hospital where he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
Max stayed in the hospital for one week, and he and his family learned about controlling his diabetes. Today, Max continues to learn about his condition and knows the foods he can and cannot eat. He continues to visit Texas Children’s Hospital every three months for check-ups and maintains a positive outlook on everything he has encountered.
Three years have passed since Max’s diagnosis, and he is enjoying life. He recently celebrated
his seventh birthday and spends most of his time with his family and all of his pets—two monkeys, two cats and a snake! He also loves all things football and says that JJ Watt is his hero.
Almost one year ago, Dorian Ross, 8, was taken to an emergency room with a high fever. Showing no other symptoms, he returned to school once his fever subsided, but it wasn’t long before his fever returned. Dorian was then taken to Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus and later transported to Texas Children’s Hospital Main Campus, where he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He began chemotherapy the following day.

Dorian Ross

After his diagnosis, Dorian stood strong. His mom describes him as an “old soul” who is wise beyond his years. He would even bargain when it came to his procedures—“if you buy me a horse, I’ll let you”—he would tell his mother. Dorian loves animals, especially horses and foxes.
Today, he is on his way to better health. He celebrated his eighth birthday in December and spends his days with his family and his three dogs. He even has a ‘job’ at a local water supply store and enjoys putting labels on the bottles. Dorian makes friends wherever he goes and looks forward to owning a horse one day.
New this year are “Family Nights at The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show,” which will be hosted from 4 to 9 p.m. on Saturdays, March 25 and April 1. With the purchase of an adult general admission ticket for $10 per person, children 12 and under will be admitted free on Family Nights. Children and their adult chaperones will have access to a wide range of complimentary treats, giveaways, and activities that include popcorn and cotton candy; Pin Oak coloring books, crayons and toy ponies; face painting; visits with Shetland therapy ponies and miniature horses. For a small donation, Pin Oak visitors will have the opportunity to pose with various equestrian-themed backdrops in the Catch the Moment photo booth sponsored by Stalker Energy and engage a caricature artist to sketch a stylized image of themselves. Featured entertainment includes the world famous Catalena Cowgirls, Houston Highlanders Bagpipe and Drum Corps, and the Wells Fargo Stage Coach (April 1 only.