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Veteran
Posts: 151
 
Location: Australia | I know New years day was my girls first run in an arena (re my last post) and she did well for her first time, but I'm kicking myself about all the things I did wrong, I was unfocused in the arena, I may have worked her too hard in the warm up causing her to be less energetic in the arena, I didn't get a chance to ride in the arena to get her used to it before the run... The list goes on. In her practice runs she runs so hard, turns so tight it takes SECONDS off her time and just gives it her all I swear she could put the pros to shame. I don't run her the particularly "correct way" or the way I see most barrel racers run, but I'm so convinced she'd have cleaned up even the open competitors if I had have had my game face on! Now there's a roller coaster in my head. One minute Im on top of the world, so optimistic about lining her up more rodeos, convinced she'll be 110% better next time and I'll get where I wanna go and fulfill all my dreams of competing all over Aus, then the next minute I'm on a downer, she's so unfit because I've been busy with work, my float got stolen so I can't get her anywhere, I'm paying off a car so I can barely afford to get around anyway... 
Barrel racing has been my dream since I was 8 years old, but rodeo has been my greatest passion ever since I can remember just the atmosphere and the excitement and the people its all I've ever wanted to do. I may not be one of those people that was born into a life on the road, although I wish I was, but my dream is as big and I'm as passionate about it as any other competitor. I don't give up easy, I'm as determined as hell to make a go of it, I just have no idea how! | |
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 Expert
Posts: 1631
 
Location: Somewhere around here | Just keep your head up high and believe in yourself!! I feel like I'm in the same boat as My goal this year was to go to a barrel race every month and eventually start going to small rodeos when my horse got consistent enough. Me and my husband just bought my parents old living quarters trailer and it needs a lot of work done. This month we are working on the breaks and wires lol. That's taken a huge chunk of our money. I'm also have a low income job and next week is the first week in MONTHS I'll have 32 hours of work. I like that I'm getting the hours for extra money but that gives me a lot less time to ride and work with my horse. I've been feeling frustrated lately but hey at least the weather is warming up and the days are getting longer!  | |
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Veteran
Posts: 247
Location: Crossfield Alberta | First hugs!!!!
Try not to dwell on what you think you did wrong!!! Try view the last run as a training experience for both of you and move on. Take the positive from the day, which I am sure there was lots, and learn from the negative. This isn't a easy sport to do and if you beat yourself up about everything you did you wrong it won't be any fun!!! Just remember even the pros sometimes leave the arena thinking WTF!!!! But what they do is learn from it and move on!!! Don't worry we have all been there.
Kim | |
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Veteran
Posts: 151
Location: Australia | Thanks for the encouragement, guys! I have taken alot from her first run and have been going over and over how I'll do it different next time, Its just Ive spent three years getting my girl to where she is now, and shes brilliant, but maybe I expected a little to much her first run out. I watch videos of some of my favorite barrel racers and their first runs on new horses and they go so well, but then again they have arenas and everything at home to work in, I practice on a flat out in the paddock! Im really hoping and praying Ill start getting to more this year and make my mark and show everyone how great my girl really is. | |
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Kicking myself!