Sis's First Real Rodeo

All I can say, is SHWEW!  What a night!  When I say "real rodeo", Sis and  have competed at smaller venues, without all the "fair" type atmosphere happening.  So, this rodeo, with the crazy rides right there at the chute, was certainly a challenge!

The rodeo started at 7, therefore, I thought, I needed to get there, and ride around early.  I got there about 5:00.  Had to park right in the area where Sis and Smoke could see the rides.  They both were freaked out, therefore I had to stay at the trailer babysitting, holding them, so they didn't break free. 

My kids were with me, and I was without my hubby as he had a business meeting and couldn't make it that night.  So, for the first time, I had to set my children free at the fair!  Without me hovering keeping an eye on them both.  I knew they wouldn't sit at the trailer with me for 4 hours before the rodeo started.  So I had to trust them to stick together, not talk to strangers, and to answer me each and every time I texted them to see if they were ok.  So not only was I sitting there stressed over my horses being nutso, but worried about my kids on their own at a fair for the first time!  Which I have to say, they made me proud and managed well!

Luckily, Team member and friends McCorkles came to my rescue with the whole evening!  Megan came over and rode Smoke around with me and Sis, while her parents came to sit with my kids and get them dinner while the rodeo started.  At least the kids being with other adults, alleviated that worry. 

Once we started riding Smoke and Sis around, they seemed to adjust to the rides.  Somewhat.  Still every now and then with this or that sound, they would jump.  Smoke was a bit better than Sis with relaxing with that stuff.    Then, instead of getting off Sis to ride Smoke in grand entry, I decided to stay on Sis, and let Meg ride Smoke with me into grand entry.  Which worked out fine.  By the time grand entry was over however, I was beat.. between Sis banging me up against trailer every time she'd spook and basically riding them for over an hour to get them settled, not sleeping the night before for worry of all this rodeo stuff, I was ready to hit the sack before I even run!! 


I truly envy the younger girls that can handle being up so late and getting up in the morning for work!  I sure do wish I could have had Sis in my 20's!  In my 20's, I was married, had to sell my barrel horse as hubby was in the Navy, and stationed in Hawaii after the Gulf War.  We were statoined there for two years, so no barrel races or rodeos for quite some time!

No barrel races, but water falls, sunshine and beaches!

And Luas!  Honestly, although enjoyable, I missed my barrel races and friends.  I'll take a barrel race over the beach any day!

 

Hubby's ship returning after six months away at Gulf War!

 

We moved back to PA in 1992, and I bought a 3 month old paint horse, Scout.   While I figured out how to get back into things, I waited for him to grow up and start riding again.  He didn't work out however, so I had to start all over again, and hence all the horses that came after him until I came across Sis!

Scout.  Not sure I could have found any baggier clothing to wear!!!

So, needless to say, I didn't have my stuff together in my 20's as far as my barrel racing goes.  I was married at 22, moved to hawaii, and was testing out my non-skills at raising a colt and training on my own from the ground up.  (Scout thought barrel racing was more like bowling, and hence gave me all my scars on my knees!)

Back to the rodeo last night.  My turn came to run, and Sis walked, yes, walked into the arena.  I think a few of my friends heard me tell her, Sis you are at a rodeo, it's time to run!  Wake up!  She turned the first well, then crossing over to the 2nd, as I suspected because in grand entry she was afraid of the chutes with the bulls, she didn't want to run up into the pocket.  So she kept going uphill, therefore, taking a big detour around it!  I managed to get her around, then on the way to third, she zigged and zagged from that unfamiliar scenery.  My time was disappointing, but with all the mistakes and ziggin and zaggin, I'm proud she at least tried and we kept on pattern, AND I stayed on!  I feared she would zig when I zagged at those bucking chutes going at that speed! 

All in all, at least I returned home safely and Sis and Smoke safe.  However, I pondered some things.  Rodeos, a dream of mine since the age of 12 when I started to barrel race!

Frosty Q Bars and my cowboy hat helmet I was forced to wear!

However, rodeos are costly!  I dropped $60 last night on entry fees, and that is one of the cheaper rodeos.  Sometimes, they are $100 or more for entry fees!  Rodeos are further to haul.  I could have entered two jackpots for what I spent last night, and most likely would have come away with some paychecks.  Paychecks are what I need in order to donate to the charities!  So, it's a pondering fact that I need to figure out.  Rodeos or Jackpots!  Sis, runs well and with the big wigs at jackpots.  She ran like an amateur last night.  What should be my focus I ask myself?  Continue to try to get Sis seasoned at rodeos, while dropping that type of money earning nothing for the charities?  Or stick to jackpots, where she excels?  Keep my rodeo dreams within the Rodeo Kid progam?  As when I took Aaron, I had no interest what so ever in being a competitor.  I just wanted to spend the evening with the Amon family, enjoying the rodeo from the spectator aspect. 

I described all to my friend, Breanne Hill of  www.barrelracing21.com , and she told me when I told her how dreams sometime change as we get older,  "I agree, our goals do change as we get older. I think we just figure out that there are multiple sides to every situation/dream, and when we find the side that suits us best, it just feels right."  I think she said it perfectly.  I just have to figure out what is best, and what feels right!  That is the toughest part for me at the moment. 

Pinkies

Yesterday at the barrel race, I was able to deliver some Pink TEAM DO3 shirts to our Team members!  As you can see, they were worn proudly!  You can get yours at http://dreamingofthree.bigcartel.com/product/team-do3-shirt-pink  All team members can purchase for $15, non-team members can purchase for $25, as your proceeds go to taking more Rodeo Kids to rodeos in the future!  So wear the shirt with pride, as you too are a team member by helping us raise more money! (we also  have grey shirts now as well in the store)

Team member Kylie Wells

My daughter and Team member Sierra Harris

Team member Megan McCorkle

I have to say, that as the months go on, I can feel the comradery between all of the Team members when there are several of us at a show sporting Team shirts.  It's a different type of comradery than the normal, as we all know we are not only out there to win, but out there to win for more than ourselves!  So, when we see one of those shirts go into the arena, even when that person is competing in the same class as you, you want that person to do well to earn more for the charities.  It has brought us together in a different type of way.  As before, of course, we all have the same passion obviously, and as friends in our community of barrel racers, you want each other to do well. However, with this added component of TEAM DO3, it makes it that much more exciting to cheer on your opponents!  So whether that person just smoked your behind, you are still happy for them, giving them a high five as you pass each other! 

Of course, with so many of us wearing the shirts at the same shows, it brings more awareness to what we are doing.  I had alot of people ask about them and what we are all about.  Myself, and I am sure other Team members, I am proud to tell them.  I have a sense of pride when explaining it all.  Because, not only am I enjoying what I love best with friends and family, but it has a little bit more meaning behind it every time I enter that arena. 

Sis and I making a smoking run!

Sis ran really well for me.  It was a big pen, so I am always nervous thinking its so much further for her to run, and hoping that lasiks works!  It did, and she was fine.  I get more and more confident every time I make a run and she is fine, helping me to get back to where we were before this bleeding stuff all happend.  Because, afterwards, when I'd go to run, I had a fear of it all happening again, so I didn't want to push her too hard.  I hope she stays wells and we can continue being a team for years to come!

This was the first show for my daughter and son on their new rides.  I have never pushed my kids to ride, as it was my hobby, my passion, I didn't want to force it upon them.  So they have taken a little longer to get to those show arenas than most of the kids within our barrel racing community.  I am proud that both kids did well.  Shane, got 2nd in peewee barrels.  Sierra had some bit issues in the youth, but we just need to figure things out there for her.  She did well though.  She's a little bit more timid than Shane, so it was tough finding her the proper horse that wouldn't scare her or be too hot as a barrel horse.  Shane, I need to work on the fact that when the announcer calls his name into the arena, it doesn't mean he's a celebrity!!!  As he starts blowing kisses to the crowd and waving as if he's a rock star as he enters the arena with one hand on the reins not concentrating!  UGH!!! 

Shane & Nikki's first barrel race!

My husband managed to get some tips from Riggin Bag Photography at Aaron's rodeo, (Wendy Davis), and being she has the same camera, showed him how to use it properly.  Therefore, when he comes along to shows, he'll be taking photos of all Team members!  Compliments of TEAM DO3!  It gives him something to do, and I think is a great benefit for the Team!  We all love our photos!  Some great, some not so glamorous!  As mine is not!  Smoke and I, have not figured out that third barrel!!  We are about 10 miles away, and my face says it all....."aaah SMOKE!"

Then of course, before when warming up, my hubby thinks it funny to take shots when I'm yelling at him to NOT take photos of me when I'm not ready!  I look like a dweeb!

Even Smoke wasn't ready!  Look at his lips!

All in all, was a good day!  Although the show moved so quickly, I never sat down between getting kiddos ready and riding.  It was no doubt a good workout, as my legs were sore when I got home. 

From all these great photos however, myself and Smoke was offered a great opportunity!  To ride with Leisha Griffith at the Patrick King Mastering Communication Conference in September.  As Patrick is a friend of mine and sponsor, he saw that photo of me and Smoke 100 miles away from the barrel, and asked if I'd come and ride with them during the conference to help me and Smoke start earning some more cash for the charities!  I of course, accepted!  Not only is he having me ride at the conference, but he is also offering anybody that wishes to attend that purchases tickets through me, that 20% commission of sales will be donated to TEAM DO3 charities!!  So yet another way to earn some money for our cause!  So please email me for tickets!!

http://pkhorsemanship.com/premier-events/mastering-communication-conference/

I hope to see more team members at the conference, and learning right along with me to try to develop better skills of communication with our horses, in order to give back more!

Aaron's Rodeo

Firstly,  I am VERY proud to have the Amon brothers on TEAM DO3 as our first bull riders!  I hope we continue to get more bull riders joining after seeing their story, as I think it is a true inspiration to give back!

A BIG thank you to L&P Enterprises for sponsoring Rodeo Kid #4!  You helped me make it very special for them all! Dreaming of Three appreciates you contacting me to participate!  I don't solicite to help cover costs of the rodeo or dinner or all that goes along with putting the Rodeo Kid program together, I only ask for items to give to the Rodeo Kid as gifts.  Typically, everything I get made, or that I order along with dinner, rodeo passes,  is out of my own pocket, so being contacted by a company wanting to help, truly shows that the program is touching people's hearts.

We met the Amon's at 6:00 for dinner at the North Washington Rodeo grounds.   Things started off a little bit rough, as my son wasn't feeling well with a headache.  So trying to tend to him and welcome the family was throwing things off for me a bit.  Then my camera man and hubby ended up having to take my son to the vehicle for a bit to recover.  I'm really lucky to have had my daughter, Sierra and two other TEAM DO3 members with us last night, Julianne Smith and Wendy Davis of Riggin Bag Photography!  Thanks for stepping in Wendy and Julianne and taking over photo shooting as we opened gifts! 

Julianne Smith, Wendy Davis, Aaron Amon and me (Jackie Harris) with Aaron's new, exclusive, one of a kind Dreaming of Three Rodeo Kid belt buckle-complete with a bull rider image!  Purchased with funds raised by Patrick King Horsemanship Conference Auction.  www.PKHorsemanship.com

http://rigginbagphotography.photoreflect.com/store/store.aspx
Riggin Bag Photography is PROUD to be the photographer for Dreaming of Three and the Rodeo Kids!

He opened a few gifts, then we ate some food, then opened some more!  I had to bring it all in little by little as we had so many things to give him! 



Art by Sandra Whitcomb with signature and note: For one child, with the courage to live life to the fullest, you are an inspiration to all."
www.thepaintedhorsestudio.com

Gifts from Team DO3 member Julianne Smith



Artwork Rodeo Poster by Ginny Harding

www.ginnyharding.com

A very nice buckle that he was pumped about as well,  donated by Tres Rios Silver

http://tresriossilver.com

 

Art by Bill Ackerman
www.artbyfirstwildbill.com

CD From Bradley Black
www.bradley-black.com

Me and Aaron with an autograph football by Hall of Famer Franco Harris!

Cross donated by Marti Nelson @ Cowgirlz Flair
http://www.marti-nelson-studio.com and www.facebook.com/CGFlair

One of the gifts was a saddle cross from Cowgirlz Flair.  Aaron's brother, Jesse, who was riding bulls that evening, wanted to borrow it to wear on his rodeo number on the back of his shirt.  Aaron hesitated as he seemed a little attached to it as he clutched it in his hand holding it to his heart, but then I mentioned it would perhaps bring his brother luck and keep Jesse safe, then Aaron agreed to let him borrow it for the evening.  I have no doubt Aaron snagged it right back after the rodeo however. 

Feather donated by Southpaw Beadworks
Aaron wasted no time getting that new feather on his hat!
www.southpawbeadworks.com



Donated by HorsnHayes Art - Aaron loved this print!  Thought it was hilarious!
http://www.horsnhayesart.com

Once we got through all the gifts, we got them all wrist bands to get into the rodeo, given to the family from the North Washington Fire Department (thanks so much), and we headed into the rodeo.  Well, Wendy took them all inside along with Julianne.  I went to check on my son-THEN headed in!  Which, when I got in to where they were supposed to sit, they disappeared!  I thought, I lost my Rodoe Kid!    But, Wendy knew some cool people for Aaron to meet behind the chutes.  So, I went up and delivered a written announcement for them to introduce Aaron.   Then it was time for the Rodeo excitement!

All with friends and family and more Team DO3 members!

It was great to have some other Team members to help make the evening special for the Amon family!  As you can see, my son, Shane (behind Aaron to the right), started to feel better after some aspirin.

Many of the rodeo performers stopped over to say hello and to sign Aaron's hat.  At first, I had to ask his mom Clarissa, "Is he ok with people signing his hat?!".  So she told me to ask him, and Aaron shook his head with that big smile of his.  I just thought, you never know with a cowboy and his hat! 

Aaron and Hollywood

Rodeo Queen

Such a smile!  Will no doubt make the cowgirls weak in the knees!

Aaron and Boogerhead

Needless to say, he got plenty of autographs on his cowboy hat Tuesday night!   Plenty of photos as well to remember this special rodeo! 

Black chaps with red fringe-soon to be!

During the rodeo, Barbara at Buckskin Lady leathers, who will be making and donating Aaron a custom made pair of chaps, texted me a photo of the leather!  Was cool to share that with him as well, as I know how excited he is to finally get a pair of chaps!  In his favorite colors-black and red!!


Checking out the photo of the red and black leather soon to be his chaps!
www.buckskinlady.com

After the rodeo, Wendy took the family and talked with the APRA President, and they were invited to finals at the end of October, and also to a bull riding school they are having that weekend as well!  I certainly hope more opportunities come for the Amon's because of being a part of the Dreaming of Three Rodeo Kid program!  As, that is what is all about, bringing a face and recognition to these families that have been through so much, and allowing others to reach out to them as well.

Along with all the gifts, Aaron and his brothers were invited to Let R Buck, bull riding school for a week.  Also, Let R Buck will be fitting Aaron for a bull riding vest!

When I returned to my office Wednesday, I received MORE items for Aaron from  Rodeo Hard Tack and Rodeo Gear!

www.rodeohard.com

They will also be sending a helmet and gear bag! 

When I talked to Clarissa on Wednesday, (as KDKA was going to try to get out to do a piece on Aaron's story), she told me Aaron had a hard time deciding what to wear from all the t-shirts he was given.  (TEAM DO3 shirts, Franco Harris throwback, and a Lope for Hope shirt).  The winner was, the LOPE FOR HOPE tshirt with an American Flag horse supporting the troops!  (www.lopeforhope.com)

I still have some surprises for Aaron!  Let's just say, as a hint - I know what a "TUFF" cowboy Aaron is, and how much he would appreciate something from another TUFF cowboy!!  ;-)


I hope that Aaron will remember this particular rodeo for the rest of his life and how so many people came together to let him know that we care and what an inspiration to us  he is! I know he'll be going to so many rodeos in his future, and I have no doubt in my mind he'll be on tv at the NFR someday!  I know that one act of kindness causes a ripple affect, and that Aaron will continue to help others like himself now and as he becomes an adult.  Perhaps he'll be taking a Dreaming of Three "Rodeo Kid" with him someday to a rodeo where he competes in the future!  How exciting that will be for me and all of TEAM DO3 to watch happen!
I've been asked by several, have I thought about teaming up with Make a Wish, or bigger organizations.  I have, but for now I think what Dreaming of Three has accomplished in such a short amount of time (I took my first Rodeo Kid in January of this year, 2012, and  Aaron was my fourth), being as small as we are,  Team DO3 is accomplishing some pretty cool things for these kids and families.  I hope to grow by having more Team DO3 members, having more sponsors to be able to give these families more, to perhaps be able to find a family in the future and take them to the NFR in Vegas!(I so wish I could have afforded to give the Amon family this trip!  I know how much Aaron would love to be there in Vegas watching some of the best bull riders in the country!)  Little by little I move forward.  I am very proud to have so many people by my side as I do so, showing me they care and wanting to support me.  Especially my husband, who always has encouraging words before and after events telling me how I am inspiring people to reach out to others and that is a good thing.  My own kids of course, are very supportive and always show alot of care and interest in the families we take.  (although I was a bit horrified when Julianne told me that Shane was asking if Aaron kept his old heart in a jar, cause that would be really cool.  I panicked as I thought he asked this question directly to Clarissa (Aaron's mom) or Aaron himself!  I sometimes forget about Shane's curiousity with such things, and forget to talk to him about proper talking points at the rodeos!)

So, although we may be just a small group of northeastern cowboys and cowgirls,  Margaret Mead said it best:  Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
Until the next Rodeo Kid, I truly hope if you are not part of TEAM DO3, you consider doing so!  We are making a difference--- ONE RIDE AT A TIME, ONE RODEO AT A TIME, ONE CHILD AT A TIME!





Rodeo Dreams

If you've followed me since Dreaming of Three all started, you will know that I have always had that dream of running rodeos since the age of 12.  My parents just happened to purchase a horse that we were told barrel raced, so curious about what exactly that was, I started taking lessons from Sue Bologna.  (owner/rider of Joe B Jammin.  3X Congress Sweepstakes Winner, Ft Smith Sweepstakes Winner and BFA Derby Winner, They were also voted in the top 15 all time Teams by Barrel Horse News. Sue has won over $500,000)

Sue taught me alot, and helped me to acquire that "need for speed" at a young age.  Sue and her family still keep in touch and we see each other at barrel races from time to time. 

Of course, as every barrel racer does, I went through horse after horse, searching for that "winner".  I had some good ones along the way, ones that I thought would be my super stars.  Some passed away before we ever made it down that road however. 

One of which, was Fanny, who I was thrilled to own finally, and had those stars in my eyes of rodeoing with her.  However, after only two weeks of owning her, she had some complications with her breathing.  She needed surgery, and eventually was put down.  I acquired Sis through all of that in the end.  Sis was only 4 at the time, not totally trained for barrels, but at that time, she was better than not having a horse to throw my saddle over at the time. 

My friend, Jeanie Bowersock, and I spent about a year together hauling and training her.  Still, even though she was consistent, she wasn't timing out well, and I just wanted to move on, sell her and find something else.  I guess, I just never found that "something else", so I continued on with Sis.  I have no doubt, that with kids and family obiligations, I didn't haul her enough, nor pushed her enough to make her the caliber of horse I was hoping for at that time.  However, her and I got into a slight arguement one night, and she won-breaking my wrist.  Jeanie took her off my hands until I was able to handle taking care of her and riding her again.  During that time, Jeanie kicked things up a notch, pushed her harder, and her consistent ways became faster and she started proving she had what it took. 

Last year, with being able to haul more often, myself having more confidence in her, we started to become the team I had always dreamt of-hitting that first division more times than not, even if we didn't get paychecks always, we still were in the first division times and not running a half second off the winning time. 

One day, at a show (which Jeanie warned me NOT to try at a show, to try at home first.  I however, didn't listen), I thought, since she would give me problems getting into a particular pen, I'd throw on some spurs, just to help me in the arena.  I did so, really never having too much experience with spurs, and WHEW-losing a stirrup after the 3rd barrel, trying to hang on with spurs hitting her sides, she seemed to pick it up 10 speeds...however,  it was going out of  the pen and after the clock stopped!  Luckily eventually, I got her stopped!    That day seemed to show Sis she could really run! Even though I did not try spurs again after that disaster, she continues to run harder every time going into the pen. 

So of course, this brings me to why I decided to get that IPRA Rodeo card finally this year.  However, in the beginning of the year Sis bled my first run out, and with trying to figure out the best program for her since, she's had to have about three months off.  Therefore, all those weekend rodeos that I had mapped out and planned on hitting, never panned out.  Now, at the end of the season seemingly, it is into the "fair rodeos", which are all falling during weekdays!    Being a mother, wife, full time employee---just doesn't fit into the rodeo schedule!  I've wanted to rodeo forever it seems.  I just never had the right horse to do so.  As I knew, if the horse wasn't in that first division consistently, I'd just be throwing my money away.  (even though rodeos are fun, they are certainly more expensive than your typical barrel race).  Now I have the horse, I have the card, but somehow, I just can't seem to find the time!!! 

With rodeos, if it is a three hour or more drive, that means a day of vacation from work.  Then,  after the rodeo is over, and the haul home, getting home at 2 or 3 a.m., that means another day vacation the following day-as typically on a work day, I am up at 6:15! (being in my 40's, to bed after 11:00 and up by 6:15-doesn't make for a very productive Jackie)  I guess I was just so excited to finally have that horse that was worthy, I never thought about all the logistics in hauling down the road to rodeos.  I hear some of my younger friends talk about entering this or that rodeo, how much fun they are having, how succesful they are,  and I am totally envious!  Why couldn't I have had Sis while in my 20's!!  While I didn't have so many responsibilities like children, a mother to help take care of in her older years, a full time job whereas vacation days are sometimes taken for sick kids, events at school, etc. 

Then, I stop to think, if it hadn't been for Sis becoming what I felt was a "rodeo caliber horse", I would have never started Dreaming of Three nor the Rodeo Kids program nor TEAM DO3!  Would I have started all that in my 20's?  Doubtful.  As I hadn't lost my step father nor my father at that point in my life.  I imagine all things happen for a reason.  The reason why Sis came into my life as late as she did, was hopefully to start something bigger than me chasing some dreams of running in rodeos.  I will still run in rodeos no doubt, just those that are on weekends and logically accessible to full time employee and mother of two.  

When my husband asked me if I was going to enter the North Washington Rodeo, where I'll be taking my fourth Rodeo Kid, Aaron Amon and his family, I told him no, I would much rather spend the evening sitting and talking with him and enjoying the rodeo with him and his family than I would spending the evening rushing around trying to ride and compete and barely having the time to enjoy the rodeo with them.  So, I imagine my answer to him is my own answer to what my dreams really are regarding rodeo.  I certainly want to be a part, but would much rather be a part of rodeos by taking children fighting cancer or heart disease to enjoy a worry free evening watching the best sport and entertainment around! 

I'll continue getting my rodeo cards as long as Sis is healthy to run, as of course they are fun. I will do my best to succeed in those arenas.  I'm not sure if my name will ever be printed as Top 10 or Top 20 in the rodeo organizations, however, I am very proud of the fact that my name has been printed in numerous articles in the horse and rodeo industry regarding Dreaming of Three.  Dreaming of Three has become so much more than I ever imagined and I hope that it continues to grow and is an organization that all involved, whether being on the Team DO3 or being a Rodeo kid are very proud.   I hope that someday, Dreaming of Three will be taking a child and their family to the NFR for a Las Vegas vacation! Who knows!  All I know, is that it all has taught me a lot about dreams, and how they sometimes are slightly altered as you get older.  You should never give up on your dreams, but be flexible of how you achieve them. 

IBRA Ohio State Finals

This past weekend, my family and some of my friends headed to Lewisburg, Ohio to the Circle G Arena for the IBRA Ohio State Finals.  Even though I wasn't in the Top 10 for the Open (ended up 26th in 1D) and although I was in Top 10 for the Masters 1D, awards are for the Top 5. (I was 8th).  I felt pretty proud of the fact that Sis still was there with about three months off while I figured out how to time the Lasiks, etc. 

I had never been to the arena before, so my run on Friday night I used as somehwhat an exhibition.  With Sis, I can't really exhibition, as she isn't going to go too slow, so figured mind as well run a class while I showed her the arena.  We ran a 16.8 that evening.  Saturday, I ran the Masters class first, and we ran a 16.303.  Not too shabby.  But after we came out of the pen, she coughed twice.  So, I worried she was going to bleed again, therefore I pulled us out of the Open 4D.  I wanted to be safe, not sorry and end up with another three weeks off.  She was fine, but I'm glad I pulled her just in case. 

Sunday I was towards the end in the 4D.  Right before my run, a woman got seriously injured and the ambulance had to come out, delaying the show about a 1/2 hour.  I thought I was going to lose all my mojo with having to dismount and wait.  But, we ran a 16.1!  So each run we got faster.  I am pretty proud of her I have to say, especially when she's had less than a dozen runs this year.  I surely hope that the woman that was injured is ok.  That stuff is always scarey and usually messes with my head before a run.  I'm just glad I didn't see it, as otherwise, it could have. 

Video goto:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbupj3oMxQo&feature=youtu.be



Some of my good friends and haulin partners Jeanie Bowersock and Debbie Gilbert made it in the Top 10 for Awards!  So happy for them!  It was a great weekend with my family and friends.  I'm looking forward to the rest of the season and having my Sissy girl back!!