Countdown Is On!

Approximately eight months ago, when I decided to voice my dream that I had of holding a barrel race that would help give horses a second chance, I couldn't even fathom at that time that it would all come together and  become a reality!

I guess after telling this dream to some friends and TEAM DO3 members, their encouragement and excitement helped me to move forward to the next step, and the next step and then next.  I simply started with a date of when this barrel race would take place.  I was told things such as "You know it takes a lot of work to put on a barrel race, how are YOU going to pull this off, do you have help." and "that date is already taken", but I moved past that stuff, picked a date and one by one figured out the rest.

Now we are less than a week away!  My garage is filled with awards, decor items, tshirts, and everything else I need to create the image I have in my mind.    There have been a lot of ups and downs through the whole process that is for sure and even some drama, which I do not like in the least.  In the beginning, there was some back and forth from some potential sponsors.  I imagine as it was a totally new idea, and we were going to be the pioneers for this, companies weren't wanting to take the risk of being involved, which I can totally understand.  I was willing to try at least, if I failed, it would be my embarrassment.  But if it turned into a success, it could potentially put Dreaming of Three on the map in the Equestrian World!  I was willing to take that risk.  I felt that if more people knew about DO3, that would mean more equestrians would be turning their passion for horses into an avenue to give back.   I felt if it were a success, and we held it every year, it would help more and more horses find a second career and to give them a second chance.  These two reasons made it a risk worth taking!

I think these last eight months, I have been so focused on making this Event a success, and although I knew we were getting some really big coverage in both radio, tv, internet and print (most recent article: http://www.wkbn.com/2013/07/27/horses-get-new-life-after-the-racetrack/  I have two pages now of coverage!) , I just didn't slow down enough to let it sink in.  This weekend, things started sinking in!  I am having some slight anxiety attacks at times thinking about it all.  I wake up in the middle of the night, heart racing, unable to catch my breath.  When I hear our host hotel is sold out.  When I hear our sponsor and my local feed store, Hookstown Feed, tell me how a lot of folks from the track (Mountaineer Race Track) are coming into the store talking about it and are planning on attending. When I hear that we will have a live feed from Channel 27 WKBN, Youngstown news at the Event.  When I hear some of my big sponsors higher executives are attending.  I just cannot believe it!

The trainers are starting to roll in from out of state too, so that makes it all that much more of a reality!

Me and Amelia Comar (North Carolina) at Mountaineer Racetrack this past Saturday.

  Several of the trainers are starting to haul to the arena to get some practice in as well.

Lacey Tomasik on Sassy

Lacey giving us all a heart attack, with her separated collarbone doing trick riding.

Laura Wiencek and Jessica Endres

Laura and Lacey (don't try this at home)

At first, when planning this whole thing, it was because I thought my own circle of barrel racing buddies were going to take part.  I thought perhaps I'd get 6 outside folks I didn't know.  When it came down to the wire, none of my own circle ended up applying due to schedules, etc.  So everybody that applied were strangers.  I didn't know any of them before it all started.  However, I can honestly say, the 11 remaining trainers have certainly all become what I can call a "friend".  My "circle" of horsey friends has certainly grown in these last eight months!  My knowledge of Thoroughbreds as well, as I really didn't know much.

Jen Ruberto, shown in this photo with Lacey (Jen owns Sassy), has also become a friend.  She was right there in the beginning, my guru of OTTB's.  I had to ask somebody that knew the breed better than I, to make sure it COULD work.  Jen is a CANTER volunteer and works with a lot of trainers and owners to find homes for their OTTB's.  She was totally thrilled when we talked, and as excited as I was and I certainly could not have done it without her!

The amount of support I've received from people I've never known before any of this, is mind blowing!  Joe Coalter, my announcer for the Event, was another one of those supporters from the beginning.  Joe not only was on board, helping us spread the word with ads in his Horsemen's Corral, but also getting me onto his "Horsin Around Ohio" radio show this coming week (will air Wednesday).  What amazes me even more is a week and a half ago, Joe drove a couple hours to Simmons Arena to look over everything with me for placement of the stage, sound, etc..  I know full well he did so to put me at ease, as this really is "my first rodeo" for such an Event that I am the "producer".  (Producer, I've been called that several times, but still makes me chuckle hearing it.  To me, I'm just a barrel racer, mother, wife and a daughter who lost her father and step father within 3 months of each other, decided to do something other than just grieve by creating DO3)

No doubt this week will fly by, as I question "Am I ready for this?".  I know I have the support of TEAM DO3, my husband and my kids and all the people I've met along the way who have supported me, supported this cause, and of course all the  new friends I've made this year because of dream of mine.  I hope in my next entry I will be able to tell all of you what a huge success it was, that we raised loads of money for CANTER and Bright Future Farms, and that the trainers involved got lots of inquiries for training and folks swarm CANTER or other OTTB rescues looking to locate and adopt an OTTB for their own.  I have no doubt and am planning on "wrinkles" in the evening, things I didn't know, or even cross my mind, but I'm prepared for those and won't let them get to me.  I'll deal with them, and move forward.  The most important thing is that the last 100 days have been a success....we gained alot of attention, showed everybody the versatility of these beautiful animals and I know made more folks aware of DO3.  Therefore, we have already succeeded.

I hope to see you at Simmons Equestrian Center in Negley, Ohio on August 2, this coming Friday at 8:00 p.m.!  Come celebrate with us!

Imaginations and Possibilities

First, I'd like to apologize for such long periods in between blog posts.  Things have gotten busier and busier with summer here.  I find little time to myself to put thoughts to paper.  But, I want to keep those of you who do not have Facebook updated on things happening with Dreaming of Three.

Second, I want to say I am so thrilled to announce we raised almost $7,000 for the Oklahoma Tornado victims through our benefit barrel race held in Texas, our Tshirt Sales, Cowgirl Tuff's silent auction, Clyde Saddle Club/IBRA PA silent auction and also a Team DO3 Stud owner, Jean Hovan (http://www.mhprimetime.com) who also raised $300!  What a TOTAL TEAM effort it was!  We sent checks down to our Texas State Captain, Carlie Hayes for Orr Family Farm and also Horse Feathers Horse Rescue who was helping alot of the private horse owners in the area.  Originally she wanted to deliver in person, however with circumstances, she is having to simply mail the checks.  Regardless, the money will get to those in need.

Carlie was also interviewed by Barrel Horse News in regards to our benefit barrel race, and it will be published in the August issue!  FINALLY, DO3 getting some coverage in BHN!

It seems right after the Oklahoma tornadoes, disasters and a need for fund raising came at Dreaming of Three fast!  From the Colorado and Arizona wildfires, to a rescue of numerous horses, dogs and cats at a facility that had horrible conditions  in Mississippi!  Dark Horse Rescue, our MS State animal rescue took in 22 of the horses from this situation.
See youtube video here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0bqjor2GrE

It's really tough to hold two back to back successful fund raisers through tshirts sales.  So I tried my hardest to come up with something different, perhaps not quite as expensive, but yet a way to get some funds to these causes.  We decided to get some bumper/trailer stickers with DO3 logo and our phrase "Saving Lives, One Ride At A time" and also got together with a TEAM member to hold a fund raiser via Scentsy.
The link to the bumper stickers is here:  http://dreamingofthree.bigcartel.com/product/team-do3-4-x-6-oval-bumper-sticker

And the link to the Scentsy fund raiser is here, just click on Dark Horse Rescue:  https://alanger.scentsy.us/Scentsy/Buy/SetupPrompt

Christy Loflin also put out a call to help her hometown barrel racing association, Mile Hi Barrel Racing, in efforts to help those in need in Colorado by raising money for a fund that was set up for the horse owners.  I thought instead of doing a whole new tshirt design, I'd have a period of time where any shirt in the store that was in stock sold during that time period, funds would go to help the special fund set up in Colorado.  Unfortunately, we sold one shirt during that time.  I truly wish there was a better way to spread the word other than Facebook!  As Facebook has put a damper on things with only allowing several of the followers on the DO3 page to see our posts.  Otherwise, we have to pay to promote.  Well, for a non-profit, trying to raise funds and not make a profit themselves, for us to pay $50 for all of our almost 9000 followers to at least see and share our posts, that basically takes a huge chunk of the funds we just worked so hard to raise!  So makes little sense to promote. So I have to rely on the ones who do see the posts to share it, and sometimes it just doesn't get far enough to help.  I do think that rules should be different for non-profit organizations on Facebook, as we are simply trying to help others.  (ok that is my rant on Facebook for now)

So as you can see, we continue to try and do our best when a need arises, but when they hit back to back, it's tough for a small organization like DO3 who is still "wet behind the ears" in non-profits, to raise huge amounts back to back.

In the midst of all these disasters and needs, I was contacted by an artist, Cameo Anderson, who wanted to donate a portrait that she had just finished to help us raise funds when needed.  It couldn't have come at a better time!  We decided for now to simply get posters printed to help with any upcoming causes.
http://dreamingofthree.bigcartel.com/product/art-print-poster-by-cameo-anderson
It is such a nice gesture and was totally unexpected, so I am just so honored to be noticed by such a wonderful artist who wants to help "pay it forward" through DO3!

Of course, as always, I am constantly thinking of new shirt designs, some are successful, some aren't and I sell a couple, then need to print at least 12, so I end up with having some inventory of certain items.  But again, I think it is all in the way I can spread the word.  I must find a different avenue, I just don't know what that is yet!  I know folks would enjoy purchasing clothing that helps others in need, especially those in the equine World.  People can be proud of the DO3 name brand they are wearing as they will know they are purchasing it to directly help others like themselves.

Saving Lives One Ride At A Time Tank
http://dreamingofthree.bigcartel.com/product/cross-tank

I also finally got around to taking some photos for A Cut Above Buckles for the "Making a Difference" Challenge.  

I am truly in love with this buckle, as it has more to do with what I've done outside the arena, than what I've done inside.  To be recognized for my efforts over the past year, is truly humbling.  I certainly never did any of what I've done to win any awards, I just was on a mission to make a difference through my riding, to help others in any way I knew how.  I am certainly going to continue to wear this buckle with pride in the years to come!

I suppose I am not your typical barrel racer as far as "awards" go, because the items I treasure most in my gear, have nothing really to do with my performance in the arena.  Oh I have plenty of Top 5 Awards in my barn and trailer, collecting dust (never an award saddle or buckle though, as seemingly when I was at the top, something devastating happened to make me lose that top spot, like my horse passing away or kids coming along, or parents being sick, etc.  I guess it was destiny, that my first buckle I won was for something other than winning first place in the arena, as it made receiving it so special, as was truly my first!)   I have my old old old saddle that I bought probably 20+ years ago, that is one of my best friends and mentor's, Jeanie Bowersock's design.  It's nothing fancy, I didn't win it, but bought it used, but because it's super comfy and what I know, and because it's stamped with her name and she's taught me so much, and has always been there for me through good times and bad (sometimes late evening sobbering calls because a horse was hurt and I didn't know what to do to supporting each other as both of us have lost so many loved ones due to cancer), I continue to ride in it.  I sometimes see beautiful saddles, with tooling, and color..and salivate over them, but in the end, I don't want to give up my good ole' trusty saddle~with my best friend riding with me in every run.

I have a halter as well that another friend, Carol Ritter gave to me back when Sis was a Jr. Horse.  That year was tough, with alot of great horses running.  I hauled and hauled Sis, seasoning her, doing our best.  But, we were always just out of the payout.  At the end of the year, we were 6th and the organization only awarded 5.  I met up with Carol Ann a few shows after the end of the year, and she had a halter made for Sis and I, with our names engraved.  She told me, "you and Sis were such a great team, worked so hard, you deserved something".  I refuse once again, to get a fancy halter, as all those out there are wearing now, with bling, cowhide, etc, as that halter, means something.  It reminds me of friendship, and how hard Sis and I worked that year.  I earned that one more for respect and friendship than kickin bootie in the arena!

Of course there are also all my sponsored items, from my cowboy hat in these photos from Star of the West hats, my saddle crosses from Cowgirlz Flair, my joint supplement from Lubrisyn, my tack set from KB Custom Kreations, prints and items made for me from Craft & Crown and Hors N Hayes art~none of these had anything to do with my stardom in the arena~I'm not saying Sis and I don't shut off the clock and have won our fair share of 1st Division checks, but these items were sponsored to me because these folks believed in me, believed in my mission of "giving back" through horses, and ultimately gave me more desire to succeed and to make it all a success because they did believe in me.

I have no doubt in my mind, if I wanted to spend every weekend hauling to barrel races that Sis and I would be in the top spots every year.  But, instead, my focus has shifted slightly to such things as the Extreme Retired Racehorse Makeover Event, doing things such as the Rodeo Kids program and perhaps travelling down to Texas come fall to support our Texas State Captain, Carlie and her series barrel race finals to help raise funds for Rodeo Kid, Dominique.  I find myself not hauling for points any longer, to be in the Top 5, but moreso hauling where the added money is, in hopes to win more to give back.  I feel I have nothing to prove by wearing a jacket that says Top 10, or a saddle pad that says Champion.  I'm not saying I wouldn't LOVE those items if I managed to win one at a barrel race and I am not saying I don't always put my best effort to win forward, however, now I enter the arena every time with much pride in what I've accomplished in this last year and half and instead just trying to win more money to give back, not to win awards for myself.  I would have never imagined my gears would have changed in that aspect, as when I was able to haul alot before my kids, I was a "point chaser".  I'd skip friends weddings, parties, family functions, cause I just couldn't fall behind in points for year-end awards.   I have no desire any longer.  I, instead, will chase more ways to help others~more ways to make a difference in this World, through the passion of horses with TEAM DO3 and all those who support the efforts of Dreaming of Three!


The only person you are destined to
become is the person you decide to be.
–Ralph Waldo Emerson