The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears.

As I added a new member today from Alabama, Cindy Kivette, and read her story of losing her sister to cancer, it really made me stop to take a look at this Team once more and read their stories/bios again.  Reading thru them certainly made me tear up with pride and gratitude that these people have  joined me in honoring their own loved ones or riding for the animal rescues through our passion of horses.

I've been so busy tending to the auction for Northstar, and Tshirts for Oklahoma Drought and Northstar, that as I added new members, I really never looked at how many there were in total.  We have 59 members!  We are starting to spread across the U.S. too!  PA, OH, CA, MD, MI, MS, MO, TN, TX, FL, AL, LA!!!  (I think I got them all, as being at home, I do not have my file!).  When I looked at how many states we are in, it made me smile, as this was the hope that I had once TEAM DO3 started to grow, that we would someday span the whole U.S.!!! Team members in every state, with Team captains in every state playing the role I have been here in Ohio and Pa.  I hope that these Team captains can organize trail rides, barrel races, clinics, Rodeo Kid rodeo nights, and spread the word to all equestrians in their own areas about what we are all about.  To be able to reach more families with children fighting cancer or heart disease and take them out for a fun filled worry free evening at the rodeo.  I hope that these Team members in other states would feel that same camaraderie of being on this Team as we do up here in PA and OH.  That even though alot of us are competitors, and we want to win, if a Team member wins or places, you are just as excited as if it were yourself, as you know that there will be more money added to the tally from their donated portion of that paycheck.  I know, myself, I have met so many new friends than ever before in my life because of TEAM DO3.  Typically, I would stay to myself at a barrel race with my own group that I knew well for years.  Now, with the Team and new members, I've gotten to know so many new and wonderful people.  I want others to experience that as well. 

Just imagine, if we have only 59 members, donating portions of their earnings, or pledging a dollar amount for time in the saddle, some members matching other Team members and we raised over $3500 in six months from just riding, imagine, if we tripled the number of Team members!?  Imagine if we had 59 members in each state! I HOPE!  As, Team DO3 is unlike any other equestrian organization.  We don't focus on just one discipline, nor age, nor gender~you don't even have to ride to be part of the Team as you can be a "matching member" or you could even be a Corporate Team member donating portions of certain sales to the charities!  There are no membership fees.  There are no Top 5 awards.  No Top Dogs. We all donate with pride as we watch our tally grow.  (anonymously, as I never reveal who adds what amount.  As youth perhaps may donate .50 cents, or a beginner perhaps $1~I want them to feel just as good as those that are successful in the arena already. The "giving back" is all relative. Taking a portion of that good fortune, and taking the time to think of others.)  We may have "rewards" for those that step up and participate in Team functions or activities frequently.  We may have contests now and then to spice things up. Mostly, however, riding for a cause, gives us a way to turn our passion of horses into something more.  This is our REWARD! As an Arabian proverb is written: 

The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears. ~

So, as some of us ride, and feel that wind, we know that those we have lost to cancer or heart disease are smiling down upon us.  That wind has perhaps brushed across their faces before it brushed upon our own, as we ride into an arena, ride onto a trail, or throw a rope at a steer (or cutting, or dressage, or jumping, or reining, HOPEFULLY Someday I'll get some of these riders!)

There are even several bull riders on this team as well.  I'm not so sure I heard any Arabian Proverbs about wind blowing between a bull's horns, but I know that those boys that are Team members only need 8 seconds to make a difference!  We are very proud of them and hope that more bull riders join us someday.  Riding and giving them that extra boost of knowing they are riding for a cause, to hang on those 8 seconds!  Perhaps Aaron's story, which will be told in Rodeo News soon (hopefully November 15 issue), will inspire more to join.  Perhaps we'll get a PBR rider someday!  Or member at the NFR!  Aaron, I'm counting on YOU!  When you make it to the NFR someday, we will no doubt be there cheering you on!

Aaron Amon, Rodeo Kid #4 and Team DO3 Member Bull Rider

In thinking of ways to make TEAM DO3 a great benefit as well.  I came up with the idea to have some clinics where Team members get first shot of participating.  Basically, I feel that to improve the skills of our Team members, it would better benefit the charities!  The proceeds will of course, go to the charities.  Nothing I do or come up with, is ever anything but to benefit the charities. 

Our first clinic will be with Sharon Camarillo, May 25 & 26, 2013 in Darlington PA at Snedekers Arena.  If you'd like to participate, just email me at Jackie@dreamingofthree.com.  The cost is $480 per rider, which includes your stall with a $225 deposit to reserve your spot.

I surely hope we get the 14 riders for this clinic.  That is my biggest worry.  As I am not holding this clinic to make money, as of course I don't own an indoor arena, I have to rent one.  I merely want to give more benefits to members, to raise some more money for the charities and to have a great learning opportunity from one of the best in the industry!  We'll also have a Open 4D barrel race Saturday evening, where competitors will get the chance to meet Sharon and to win some cool prizes she plans on bringing as well as prizes I manage to get sponsored by then.  I really would love it if it would be a success, so that I can continue to find clinicians in all disciplines and do similar and donate the proceeds to the charities.  (instead of it being a flop and having to get a second job to pay for it all!)

I thought perhaps I could hold a annual barrel race some day to raise funds for the charities, but there are so many good barrel races out there, big barrel races, that I just don't feel I could compete and make it as much of a success with the little knowledge I have about putting on a big show, big barrel race.  So for now, I think the clinics could be a better match for TEAM DO3.   I've always felt, Team members should want to improve to win more, to be able to give more back!  So what better way to improve than to attend a clinic!  So, I guess wish me luck on this new adventure!  AND spread the word to other barrel racers so we can fill this clinic!  So that we can have a good Open 4D!  (I plan on at least $500 added money!)

I truly look forward to the next six months of TEAM DO3 and the exciting things in store, to meet more friends, and to inspire more people to join!