We are the Lone Star Pony Express Riders for Autism. We have partnered with the Roundup for Autism in raising money for the Autism Treatment Centers of Texas' daily operations and expansion of services.
In 1995, Bobby Norris visited the Lone Star Arena in Cypress, Texas to practice for the Ben Johnson Pro Celebrity Team Pinning and Team Roping. While there, he invited Lynn Thrower and Mel Newsom to the Roundup for Autism he was sponsoring in Fort Worth with cowboy celebrities including Ben Johnson. Lynn and Mel decided to help promote the event with a pony express ride from Houston to Fort Worth and named it the Lone Star Pony Express. Riders were asked to raise $500 per team of two and participate by each person riding a half mile leg passing off the saddle bags to the next rider pony express style. Once each team of two riders completed their mile ride and handed the bags off to the next team we loaded our horses and drove up to the next stopping point to start our new mile ride again, We continued in this manner until the route had been covered. The first Lone Star Pony Express trip carried a proclamation from the Mayor of Houston announcing Lone Star Pony Express Day and a congratulations to the Roundup for Autism. The ride was escorted by Harris County Deputy Sheriffs for safety. We have taken this ride every year since 1995 and over the past years have also been conducting charity benefits to raise funds that we hand carry to the Roundup for Autism. Since our founding, the LSPE has contributed over $1,100,000 to the Roundup for Autism.
Our mission is to raise awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) through community events and to be a financial contributor to the ever increasing daily expenses and needs of the ATC. We are working hard to support this ever growing cause but we need your help. Your generous donation will help us to achieve our goals as we seek to give hope and inspiration to the children and adults of the Autism Treatment Centers of Texas and their families. All donations are tax deductible.
LSPE members are forever grateful for the continued support of the Tomball Masonic Lodge #1096, Luther and Therese Winch, the Roundup for Autism, Bobby Norris, Gina Marx and the Autism Treatment Centers of Texas.
