Welcome to Texas Team Do3 of Dreaming of Three! Equestrians of all disciplines have joined forces to donate to selected charities to help make a difference in this world one ride at a time. Everything is bigger and better in Texas, so we hope to make TEXAS Team Do3 live up to that standard. Please read on to see what's the latest with our awesome Team!

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

See No Evil

About a year and one half ago my Aunt, Stacey Miller, quite tragically and permanently lost her vision after suffering horrific side effects from a medical treatment gone terribly wrong. She was in the hospital for weeks and was very close to death on more than one occasion. Although Stacey, being the fighter that she always has been, pulled through, was told that she would never be able to regain her eye sight. Not only would she have to recover, she would have to learn to live this whole new lifestyle. I do not think I could ever had the courage and durability that she has had to get to where she is today. Recently I was shocked and so happy to see her able to do the dishes, boil tea, and even saddle up her daughter's horse! She has always been an intelligent, go getting woman, and clearly nothing has changed.

Immediately I began to think of something I could do to help Stacey and her family. I knew that the hospital bills would be never ending, she would need to go to school to learn how to regain her mobility and complete all of the other training she would need to be able to regain her confidence is world that she could no longer see. Being the barrel racer that I am, I immediately thought of a benefit barrel race. So right away I put everything together, had a presentation with Stacey and other family for what I had planned and everyone was quite excited for, what I had called, the SEE NO EVIL Benefit Barrel Race. There was one problem though, I had no idea how to actually host one of these races! I had no equipment, no computer software, no nothing and no knowledge. I asked around and got some responses but there was always a problem here or a problem there so I basically shelved the idea until the right time came along.

Recently at a local benefit called "Somebody Help The Boy" I was racing at I heard a loud speaker announcement after the race. Charmaine Newkirk with CM Productions basically said, if you know someone who needs help, and want to host a benefit, let me know! And "There's your sign"....I knew right away this was my opportunity to make this happen. Finally, the SEE NO EVIL race could possibly happen! After talking with Charmaine, she said let's give it ago. So I hit the road running, pulled out all of my prep work from so long ago and went to work.

My plans for this race where going to be a little different than I had planned. Recently I had been blessed to take Dreaming of Three's Rodeo Kid Dominique McAllister to his very first rodeo at the Stockyard's Championship Rodeo on March 9, 2013. Dominique, whom many of you know, is an 11 year old boy whom last year was diagnosed with Leukemia. He and his father live at the Ronald McDonald House in Fort Worth, Texas where he receives treatments 3 days a week. Dominique's father, Billy, travels from Abiline to Fort Worth frequently as his other two children live in Abiline, so he has been unable to find a job who is willing to accommodate his families needs of traveling. I had been, as well, trying to think of ways to help raise money for Dominique that could raise enough to actually make enough for his family. Nothing seemed to be big enough to help...until now! It was divine intervention that everything was coming together all at once in harmony to help both of these extremely deserving families who quite unfortunately have hit harder times than most of will ever have to go through.

So for about the past week I have endlessly been putting plans together to make this race a huge success. Salt Creek Arena is the chosen venue, as it is locally convenient for everyone and the date has been set for May 11, 2013. We have already received some MAJOR product sponsors for the silent auction including Absorbine, Heritage Brand, Mane 'n Tail, FORCO, Cowboy Magic and many many more. We have been blessed with our largest sponsor yet to be able to award the 1D Champion wit a HIDEZ Travel & Recovery Compression Body Suit, which retails at $600.

HIDEZ is an equine full body suits that helps rid the body of lactic acid build up so your horse does not get sore and increases blood flow to the heart, among many other great things it does. These are brand new to the US and I am thrilled that Matthew Spice, the owner and inventor of HIDEZ, is allowing me this opportunity to introduce this revolutionary product to the US and barrel racing industry.

We will also be awarding Trophy Leather Cuff Bracelets to the Division Champions, as well as a 10lb pail of FORCO, which is specifically designed to have your horses digestion track at optimum working condition. There will very likely be even more added to the Champion Division Awards.
There will also be awards to the Reserve Champions in the Division which will include a custom brush set from Craft & Crown, and more. We have where also able to have HORSNHAYES ART design a beautiful logo created just for this race. There will be a concession stand, hopefully catered by a local eatery. We are also having a HIDEZ body suit to be raffled off, among other raffle prizes as well. It's going to be a full on great event, and I'm hoping one of the best local benefits of the year. The books are planned to open at 11:00 AM, exhibitions to go from 11:30-1:30 and the race to start at 2:00 PM. We're keeping the entry low at only $25 and so far we have tallied up $300 in added money. I cannot wait to make this a huge success for Stacey and Dominique! I would never be able to do it with out all of the help from Dreaming of Three, Charmaine Newkirk and CM Productions and the extremely generous product Sponsors! Please check out the website for the race www.seenoevilrace.com for more info on the race and the amazing sponsors. If you would like to make a donation to help make this race a huge success for Dominique and Stacey please email me at carliehayes@yahoo.com for more information on how you can help.


Sunday, March 10, 2013

Do3 Rodeo Kid Dominique McAllister

Do3 did a Do 1st by having their Rodeo Kid program extended out from Jackie's loving hands and handed down to the trust of a State Captain, myself, Carlie Hayes. Entrusted with the job I hoped to make Do3 proud and give a child a night where he can forget about his daily struggles, and only remember the laughs and great memories of a fun filled rodeo.

From the very beginning of joining the Team I expressed to Jackie my interest in taking a child in as Rodeo Kid. My moment of truth finally came and after much exhausted search we found our kiddo, Dominique McAllister. He is an 11 year old boy who is currently battling Leukemia. He has been living at the Ronald McDonald House with his father Billy, where he receives chemo treatments 3 days a week.

Upon speaking with Billy about Dominique for the 1st time over the phone I could tell they where a pair of laid back guys who where up for anything. It made things very easy for me to get arrangements set up for them to have an awesome time. Jackie helped me tremendously by guiding me through everything and showing me the way. She has laid down an exceptionally excellent foundation for the Rodeo Kids Program  and has made it very easy to transfer into other State Captain's responsibility.

Living in the DFW area, I knew right away that the Stockyard's Championship Rodeo would be the perfect place to take Dominique. It is in an area known to the locals as "Northside" and is a full fledged Texas Themed area of Fort Worth. Lined with shops and boutiques filled with Texas souvenirs and memorabilia, the Stockyards is set right in the middle of everything. Every Friday and Saturday night they host an Open Rodeo, so my window was pretty open as far as finding a place and date. After crossing my fingers and getting in touch with the Stockyards, I was met with extreme hospitality and more then accommodating help. They had full support of Do3 and what it is we represent, which to me, is an open heart and mind set to make this world a better place and irradiate cancer and disease, which no one should ever have to go through.

The night had finally came and I was so excited to meet Dominique and Billy that I was rocking on the tips on my spur rowels. I met them at the Ronald McDonald House and was met with exactly what I expected, two super cool laid back guys ready to have a great night and handle what ever it was I had to throw at them. Lucky for them it was nothing but a fun filled night full of gifts and wild rodeo events! I handed them their  Gift Card provided by Do3, to the one and only famous Texas steak house, Cattleman's. I had them follow me there. I then made my way to the rodeo where I met fellow Texas Team Members Erica & Trenton Cole. I also met another Do3 Member for the 1st time, Beccah Mead. She is the head of the Equine Cancer Society and come to find out lives only about 45 minutes away from me!

After we got the horses settled in and paid up with the Rodeo Secretary, I got everything set up at our Box with gifts ready for Dominique. They showed up just in time and was greated by a huge support team I had for them. Once they where seated Dominique and his Dad graciously dug into their gifts provided by Do3 and others. They received some wonderful items including a tote, caps, and shirts from Do3, a shirt and tote from the Equine Cancer Society, a Hurley Hat from Trenton and Erica Cole, a custom room sign from Craft & Crown, tons of movie sized candy from HorsnHayes Art, a beautiful leather cross from Cowgirlz Flair, Justin Bent Rail Boots from Leah Eaton and a gift card to Main Event from Ms. Bobbye Hayes. They where absolutely thrilled by all of the goodies that Do3 and all of the sponsors and members where able to give.

Not long after that Deep In The Heart of Texas began to play and  Domique's very 1st rodeo was on! Things started off with the 1st session of Bull Riding, in which Do3 Member, Trenton Cole, was riding in. He had a little bit of tough luck but it was awesome for Dominique to  have someone there to cheer for. The rodeo announcer gave a great shout out to Dominique and Dreaming of Three and we cheered our hearts out! As the rodeo went on, Dominique dug into his candy and waved his sword and cheered on the rough stock and roping events. It was finally time for the barrel racing and Erica Cole and I where ready to ride. I was the very 1st one out and it was my horses very first time at a rodeo! He was a little starry eyed and lost but we made it through and got the job done. Erica Cole went on to run her mare Foxy Jab O Lena and had a real nice run going but pulled down the 2nd barrel. It didn't matter though because we where just happy to be there for our Rodeo Kid!

Afterwards we wrapped things up with hugs and pictures and everlasting memories. Everything went absolutely perfect. I couldn't have had a more impacting experiance and it would have never had happened if not for Jackie and Do3. I was able to put a smile on a little boys face that I will never forget and made some fantastic new friends.

The Stockyards everlasting hospitality offered Dominique and his family to come back anytime, as well as possible future Rodeo Kids. They really helped make all of this possible for Dominique and went above and beyond what I had expected. I would also like to say thank you to all of the Do3 Members and sponsors. If it wasn't for you this program would not be what it is.

It was a night that I will hold dear to my heart for the rest of my life. I am so blessed for Jackie to be able to give me the opportunity. I hope I made Dominique and his Dad feel welcomed and gave them a fantastic experience. Thank you again Jackie for making this possible for allowing the Texas Team to participate in the Rodeo Kid Program and make Do3 proud!

From top left going clock wise is Beccah Mead with the Equine Cancer Society, Erica and Trenton Cole, Texas State Captain Carlie Hayes with Craft & Crown, Dominique McAllister the Rodeo Kid and his father Billy McAllister.
 
Father Billy McAllister and Rodeo Kid Dominique McAllister.
Opening Ceramonies and the famous Texas Long Horn at the 
famous Stockyard's Championship Rodeo who helped sponsored this Rodeo Kid Event for Do3.
 Opening more gifts from the Equine Cancer Society.
 Chit chatting with Dominique and Billy about what to expect at the rodeo.
 Dominique, his father, and his two siblings Samuel and Zoe all recieved a Team Do3 shirt by 
Dog Pound Printing.
 Dominique had this awesome Dreaming of Three Tote to hold all of his goodies.
 The whole McAllister Family also recieved these Do3 ball Caps made by Red Eagle Creations
 Opening his Justin Bent Rail Boots from Leah Eaton.
Custom Room Sign from Carlie Hayes and Craft & Crown.
  
One of his gifts from Cowgirlz Flair, a beautiful leather cross.

Would also like to thank HorsnHayes Art for stuffing Dominique and his siblings with tons of candy!
 Even baby Lawson was there to support Dominique! Would like to thank the Cole Family for the great Hurley Cap given to Dominique.
 Carlie Hayes coming home after the barrel run.
 Trenton Cole busting out of the chute.
 Erica Cole getting it done in the barrel racing.
 Texas Team Do3 calling it a night and sending the McAllister's home with great memories and arm loads of gifts from Do3 and supporting members and sponsors.