Newscast

Well, here is the very first on camera newscast.  Even though I did a phone interview with RFD-TV, they were never able to send me a link or dvd, so I never did get to see it.  I suppose I didn't do too horribly for my first.  I am hoping I get mor comfortable as I get more interviews.  Hopefully, my thought process will be better without the major head injury and pain!  :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HmImbEHhig&feature=youtu.be

I thank Terry Olsen and Steve Kinch for helping me get this arranged and to start getting the word out there! 

A Major Award!

Memorial Day, the Harris home woke up with excitement!  Parade Day!  It was TEAM DO3 very first parade!  In our local community of Hookstown, the parade is a bit of a glory day for all the local farmers with their tractors, Southside marching bands and twirlers, boy scout troops, girl scout troops, fire departments from all over the area, EMS, just a fun activity for the small town of Hookstown. 

Several months ago, before TEAM DO3 was even in existance, I had decided that me, kids and hubby would walk in the parade representing Dreaming of Three with tshirts and Snowball, my mascot.  They had always wanted to walk in the parade with Snowball, dress him up and throw candy at the spectators. 

Then, when a friend, Melissa McCorkle, mother to some of the Team members, emailed me asking if the Team was walking in the parade, I thought, yes, what a great idea!  More Team members walking, we'd all wear our TEAM shirts!  So that is what we did! 

Snowball wasn't too thrilled with me at first, but then he seemed excited to walk down the street, visiting with the little kids along the way.  They all seemed to love getting a chance to pet him!

Once we all got saddled and gussied up, we headed to the back of the line and waited for the parade to start. 

We filtered in where we thought it wouldn't be so loud from the fire trucks, tractors, etc.  As they originally gave us #12 in line, however, we felt that for the horses/ponies sake, it would be better if we waited.  We did, but then still more fire trucks, ambulances, etc. filtered in behind us.  Luckily all the horses/ponies did great! 

It certainly was one of the hotter days to have a parade!  But we all had a blast! 

Megan, Tristan & Melissa McCorkle

Shane Harris

Sierra Harris

It was an overall fun experience for everybody!

Then, we loaded up the horses and returned home.  Once home, we found out that the TEAM DO3 won the trophy for Best Equestrian Team in the parade!  When I heard that, all I could think of was the movie "Christmas Story" and the old man saying he won a "major award"!

However, it wasn't a leg lamp!  It was an actualy trophy!  So our first parade, our first trophy as a Equestrian TEAM!  The kids were very thrilled and all members that walked in the parade!  (Melissa McCorkle, Megan McCorkle, Tristan McCorkle, Sierra Harris, Jackie Harris, Sean Harris)

Hopefully, next year we can get some more Team DO3 members out to the parade.  As this year, was a little last minute as the TEAM kinda snowballed on me and I totally forgot I had planned on walking in the parade.  Perhaps we can even walk in the parade and head somewhere to have a picnic afterwards.  (would have to be somwhere that we can all park our horse trailers in the shade!)

To all the service men and women out there (including my hubby), thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for our Country!  Without you, we couldn't do all the things we enjoy in life in America!

Definition of Cowgirl Up

I woke up Saturday morning, so excited to be heading to a barrel race with my family.  We bought a EZ up tent, a new grill!

We were set!  Trailer all packed with food, tack, chairs, tables, ready to get to Venango County Fairgrounds, have my first TV interview and relax for the day!  Sis's return also had me excited and a bit scared all at once! 

So, I headed down to load the horses, as hubby grabbed some last minute items.  I loaded my son's pony on the trailer, then realized all windows weren't open.  So, I grabbed one of the drop down windows of the trailer, and the bars weren't attached!  It crashed down fast and hard directly on top of my head!  Almost knocking me out!  I grabbed my head, hunched over in pain..holding my head for a moment.  My son circling around me "are you ok mom, are you ok".  I told him not exactly!  Then took my hand from my head as felt some warm wetness, and my hand was covered in blood.  THAT, sent my son screaming bloody murder up to get my hubby.  My daughter saw all the blood, and also ran up to the house screaming as if I were laying on the ground dying.  You would have thought those two were injured all the screaming and crying they were doing!

So, my nicely done hair, makeup clothing all ready for my first tv interview..was shot!  I was covered in blood by the time hubby came running down to the barn (no doubt thinking Sis did something to me AGAIN!  lol)  I had blood pouring down my face, hair soaked in it..looking like the "Walkin Dead".

I had to go up, re-shower, no time to dry my hair and get "camera ready" again, as we were late leaving at this point.  So, I stuck some ice on my head, and we headed down the road...head still bleeding!  This is basically the definition of "cowgirl up girlfriend"!  Keep on keeping on no matter what!  Suck it up, shut up, and do what you gotta do!

I pretty much bled the entire day!

But all in all, it was ok once we got to the show grounds.  Shane set up his lemonade stand that he insisted on creating-to raise money for DO3!

He was donating portions of proceeds back to the cause.  (as you can see the small print "By you buying 1 glass of lemonade, you save a kids life! Thank you!)  He really made me proud coming up with that.  He made some decent money with that stand too! 

Shane also ran in peewee barrels, and won some money as a Team member!

I know we also had some other Team members win some cash for the pot as well this past weekend!  We have a wonderful Team!

Also some of the Team members brought some wonderful gifts for Gabby's goody bag!  Thanks to Julianne and Britt and her mother for doing so!

Then the tv "crew", I use that word lightly as it was one man, came for interview!  Poor fellow, had to do it all!  Wasn't quite an interview, was more a speech that I should have prepared for!  I was expecting questions, not me having to lay it all out what Dreaming of Three/Team DO3 was all about.  Luckily Team member Beth, filled in for things I forgot!  A rough start to the day, and head injury, had my brain fried!  I think we got most of it in (cept about the saddle cross program and because of head injury, forgot the Silversport towels)  So, we'll see how it all turned out once I get the link to the segment!

I asked to have some of the Team members tell their story of why they joined up as well.  I really loved hearing the "why" part.  I'd love to put together a video one of these days with the "Why I joined TEAM DO3". 

After the interview, which seemed really quick-it was time to ride.  Smoke, in a large outdoor arena, worked a little differently than indoors.  So my first run, wasn't so great.  I needed to check him at barrels a little more, instead of trusting he'd stop and turn.  My second run of the day was better, however, my barrels just aren't quick right now.  I need to work on that with him and myself...  checking him to slow down, and then just allowing him to turn quickly around it.  I know he can do it...  just is getting synced up with him.  He certainly has the stride there to cover some ground once we get the turns a little quicker!

Then come evening, it was the moment of truth!  Throwing a saddle over Sis, her boots, competition bit-and seeing if all that I have been doing for her benefitted.  She was of course her "crazy train" self as usual.  But, as weird as it sounds, it was good to have her back!  I felt comforted by all the crazy stuff she does, just to be back on my girl! 

She didn't hesitate one bit hitting that arena!  She headed into the chute, as if she missed running!  She was flying, no doubt!  It felt good to be on a familiar horse!  For some reason, she completely stopped behind the 3rd barrel-no clue why, as she was full force all out the whole time.  So, that little ditty behind the 3rd barrel, cost me some time, however, costing time doesn't always mean outta paychecks in barrel racing!  We pulled a 4th place 3rd division check regardless!  Although, I'd rather be where we left off last season, in the First division, a paycheck is a paycheck for the tally no matter what division!   

So, a really bad, bloody start to the day, ended in me being so thrilled and happy that my girl was ok after our run.  To have that comfort of being able to once again be on her back in the arena, pulling checks!  I sure hope it continues! 

My head finally seemed to stopped bleeding by the ride home!  Even though my head/hair was quite "crunchy"!  But, if I hadn't "cowgirl'd up" and came to the barrel race, there wouldn't have been a tv interview, my son wouldn't have gotten 3rd place in peewee and made some $ selling lemonade, nor would I have gotten over that hurdle of bringing Sis back out!  Needless to say, sometimes, regardless of the pain, you just have to

Cowgirl UP!

Thank you to my hubby, Sean, for taking such good care of me during the day! <3



The Next "Rodeo Kid"

My next "Rodeo Kid" will be Gabby Polizzi!  She is a 7 year old tough little cancer fighter!  She is from the PSU THON network of families and I will be taking her and her family to a rodeo in Huntingdon PA June 15 or 16, depending on when I draw.  (hopefully, I draw, as never know these days with the horses... if not..I'll be going to spectate instead).  I will have more information on Gabby soon from her mother.

If you would like to donate any items for Gabby and her gift package, please contact me at Jackie@dreamingofthree.com.  Gabby loves roller skating, reading, nail polish, arts and crafts and of course clothes!  (size 7).  I am truly excited to meet her and her family and have a wonderful evening at the rodeo! 

This coming weekend is also Memorial Day weekend.  Lots of activities for DO3.  Saturday, we hopefully will be having tv News coverage at the Venango County Fairgrounds.  I guess they are having trouble with a video man, as it's a holiday weekend and lots have taken vacation.  So hopefully, they will get all that handled and we will still have our news coverage! 

Also, Monday, TEAM DO3 will be walking or riding, in the Hookstown Memorial Day parade!  So wave to us, grab the candy we throw at ya, and do not laugh at my mascot, Snowball.  Hopefully, he can handle the long walk through Hookstown! 

My First Paycheck on Smoke

Finally, I am able to contribute to TEAM DO3 tally!  I started off the day by going to church, then hurried home to load up and run over to Simmons.  I no sooner got there, entered, and had to saddle up, as the show was fairly small.  

I have to say, what a joy he was to load on the trailer alone (without having to load Snowball to get him on trailer), to warm up without the bucking and acting like a nut (which Sis usally does all the time), and to walk into the arena without all the ruckus!  He worked like a perfect gentleman.  I won the Masters class.  (even though there wasn't many there today, but a win in a win!).  Then for the 4D, he fired alot harder but slipped at the 2nd barrel, and came out of it really wide.  We finished the pattern, but was pointless to push him after his slip.  All in all, was a good day for us.  Only was at the show for about 2 hours, so was very quick compared to most, which are usually all day long! 

We came home, my daughter had her soccer game, and we grabbed a pizza afterwards...  So, got 1/2 of our hay up, got some laundry and cleaning done, and getting into my groove with Smoke.... all good stuff!

Got to make hay while the sun is shining!

I can remember those words growing up-when hay was ready, didn't matter what you had planned, where you were going, we had to stop what we were doing to get the hay for the year.  Things do not change when it comes to hay.  Our hay man called this morning, and wanted his trailers unloaded today instead of tomorrow as he was cutting more and needed to fill the trailers back up-- therefore, no barrel race today.  :(  I was hooked up, packed up, horses bathed, and ready to break Sis back out!  Now, I sit doing laundry waiting for hubby to return with a truck load to help unload.  Is a hard pill to swallow, but I know it needs to be done.  Unfortunately, the show is small, so by the time we are done with the hay, the show will be over-I was hoping for a bigger show, where at least the 4D would have run later this evening, therefore, being able to make it out to run at least once today. 

It truly seems as though everything continues to prevent me from getting out to race-to make money to give to the charities.  I don't understand it at all.  I thought I was lead down this path, in order to do good for others, but yet, I just can't seem to get back out there winning. 

So, I'll take a deep breath-hope that all things happen for a reason, and perhaps Sis just wasn't ready yet to get back in the arena.  Perhaps she needed another week or so of legging up, as I was down with the flu last week and into this week, only riding her twice last week, and three times this week. Next weekend is Venango County Fairgrounds, where the news crew will be coming out to do a story on TEAM DO3...  I will be better prepared!!  (and hopefully have all hay put up!)

Bringing Sis Back Out

Today, I am taking Sis to her first barrel race since she bled.  I am totally nervous about doing so.  I've had her on the herbs for the last month and a half, and plan on giving her a shot of Kentucky Red beforehand.  I surely hope that Lasiks won't have to be given, but am prepared to do so if she bleeds.   I feel that Lasiks is hard on a barrel horse, and would rather go another route being that she is only 13, with several years of barrel racing left in her.  I truly hope it will be under control, as to lose her, will crush me.  I've owned her for 9 years and never had many issues with her, then to have gotten to the point where we are running in the first division, placing and being in the standings for IBRA Ohio in that first division, watching my place slip away, is heartbreaking.  For IBRA, your points are on horse/rider combo, so even if Smoke and I are able to become a team, my points will start all over.

So, I will cross my fingers and hope for the best.  I've done all that I can do to prepare her for coming back. 

We managed to sell my hubby's trail horse, and did bring Smoke home.  It was a little tricky figuring out the pasture situation, with three mares, one mini gelding and Smoke.  Seemingly he fell in love with Sis from the start.  He was not happy being sepereated in the pastures, and would run the fence hollering even with the mini gelding in the pasture with him.  I tried putting one of the other ponies with him, but they just bickered.  So, finally my last resort was to put him and Sis together-shut my eyes and hope for the best.  Fortunately, there was very little bickering, one little love tap from Sis, and now Smoke and her are the best of buddies.  Probably a little bit too attached, but it was ineveitable being in the same barn and stalled near each other. 

No doubt it will be a circus when I get on Smoke to run Masters today!  Sis will be taking a fit! 

On a side note, a couple weeks ago a very skinny old dog wandered onto our property.  We put posters up all around town, called the humane society and tried to find his owners.  Unfortunately, nobody called.  He is a very sweet older dog and my son has taken a very strong attachement to him.  Hobo, is his name now.  He's finally gaining some weight and seems to have settled in.  So, with Dreaming of Three being an organization that helps Animal Rescues, my family has rescued a dog personally. 

So, it's down to the barn to wash the ponies, head to my son's soccer game and out to the show!  I will certainly report on the condition of Sis and how Smoke and I got along.  I'm crossing my fingers on all accounts!



Starting Over

Although, I finally was able to get my IPRA (International Professional Rodeo Association) card, I would not consider myself a pro-unless I am on the back of Sis.  I've owned her for 9 years, and through those years is when we developed into the team that we are today.  (I certainly hope it's not going to be "were a team"!!).  I've gained my confidence on her in order to push her hard and to get into that first division.  I totally trust her and know she will run the same pattern every time, in any arena.  I've had plenty of horses through my years of barrel racing, three I clicked with, countless ones I did not.  Unfortunately, it seems like the ones I clicked with and were taking me to the pay window-fell ill somehow with two dying while I was at the top and on cloud nine, and now Sis.  I truly hope I can get her back running soon.  She seems like she is legging up quite well, and back to the routine I had her on before she had to take her month off.  However, I heard one cough out of her tonight, which I hadn't heard any in this entire month.  So that makes me nervous.  I certainly don't want to panic, but if she lets out another cough, she'll be heading to the vet to see what in the world is going on. 

This past Sunday was my first barrel race with Smoke.  First time I actually ran him!  He did well, and behaved quite nicely.  Such a big horse, but yet so athletic.  I wouldn't actually call what I did running however.  Nor a lope!  More of a frolic!  That big stride of his, not having confidence yet in him nor trust, I just eased him into arena making sure we turned that first well.  He actually was so cute, as he waited, as if to say "What speed did you say we were going again?".  He turned all three well.  I actually think he is quite like Sis, as he'll need pushed hard to the first barrel so he gets around it, otherwise, he turns so tight, he knocks coming out of it.  Sis is more like that on her 2nd barrel, needing pushed hard to it, otherwise, she turns it too tight brushing it as we come out.

 

You can watch the video of our first run together here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x6LekzAhyw

I certainly hope, every time I'll build trust and get faster.  It takes me a bit of time to become a team with a new horse.  I think with age, children at home, and a full time job to go to the next day, puts that little bit of worry that I'd get hurt if I went balls to the wall first time out on a horse I did not know or have any clue how to ride.  Had I seen Smoke run with another rider, that would have even given me a little bit more confidence, but I had never even seen him run with a different rider.  I rode him a couple times, and loped him slow around the barrels.  I liked how he felt, and trust fully my good friend, Jeanie Bowersock, and her opinion on horses and what would fit my style.  She loved Smoke, so that spoke tons of him.

I certainly hope Sis comes back strong without issues, but I will do my best to get up to speed with Smoke, so that I too can be adding to the tally of TEAM DO3!  I am certainly glad I have a Team of riders out there raising money for the charities during this time that I will need to adjust.  I certainly didn't plan on this, but I will make the best out of it, and keep pushing forward!

...one child at a time!

I hope to someday have Team DO3 riders participate in the "Rodeo Kid" program.  We can reach more families in more states across the country with Team members participating!  As you can see, just taking families out for the evening, means the world to them. 

I was very happy and deeply touched by Mena's (Trenton's mom) email below:

Hey Jackie Thanks again for taking our whole family to the rodeo.  It really meant alot. I read your blog, awesome, and pics were so cute! It really was a night out that we needed. Between packing to move, doctors appointments and Eric traveling there has been very little family time the last 8 weeks, so it was truly appreciated! Also the fact that Trenton did so well climbing the stairs and sitting there was so exciting for me, it truly brings tears to my eyes as he continues to overcome hurdles. I do not always think of my son having a handicap and so many times I forget things. Things like those step for instance. A few months ago he could not have managed his way up those steps at all. To see him doing it now, well it is amazing. We truly feel blessed by all that he gives us. 

The gift you are giving families is precious, time out, time as a family and time for smiles, something we all need. Thank you again and thank your family also. Yes Sierra stole Trenton's heart, he told me afterwards he liked that "pretty girl", quite the ladies man!

She also sent a photo of Trenton, as he played "cowboy" in his new cowboy hat from Salty Cowgirl!