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 Expert
Posts: 1631
   
Location: Somewhere around here | I'm going to get a little personal right now and I'm having a hard time in the barrel racing part in my life. Whenever I come to a problem with my horse I become too negative and start telling myself I'm a failure, even though my horse just won a check a week ago. I really hate that I do this and set myself back but I have realized I've done this for almost 5 years now. I want to change but I don't even know where to begin. Has anyone been in this predicament before? | |
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 Veteran
Posts: 133
| For me, I have to reinspire myself. Always be kind to yourself through the process. You might try reading some motivational material, like something a good parent or coach would tell you. Or you could find some motivational videos on youtube. It is discouraging when you can't be as successful as you want to be. You just have to find a way to step back and let it happen. You have to know it can happen. If other people have done it, you can do it too.  What type of stuff motivates you the most? Do you like books, or movies, or talking to people? I also love going to clinics of all different kinds when I can. | |
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Veteran
Posts: 133
| Oh, more to the point - don't let yourself go there. You said you know you start talking to yourself that you're a failure so now that you are aware of that, as soon as you start that, stop it. You are not a failure just because you failed!! Everybody fails. It's part of life. Champions fail all the time. Just watch Trevor Brazile. He fails a fair amount of time but he is a Champion all the time. Isnt' that amazing? It's just the way of things. He obviously succeeds more than he fails, but he doesn't always catch his cow. He just keeps on going anyway. Failure is a stepping stone. Everybody gets beat. It takes courage to keep going. Tell yourself THAT instead of beating yourself up next time you feel like a failure.  | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 788
| I have the same problem. ALOT. Every time I hit a road block with a horse I blame myself and think its because I cant ride. Which can be a blessing in disguise since it has led me to do everything possible to try to learn how to ride properly but at the same time even if I am practicing great when I get to a run I have no confidence in myself to do good and if I mess up my confidence plummits and I think I should just give up. But Im determined and I wont give up so you shouldn't either! Im trying to get help from friends and go to a clinic about once a year until I can do better and believe in myself. I too always need advice on how to make myself more confident and the thing iv heard the most is tell yourself you can do good and don't harp on it if you do mess up just move forward and forget it. | |
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 Hawty & Nawty
Posts: 20424
| I know this sounds repetitive, but honestly, there are girls too lazy to saddle up, girls too doubtful to even try. You win each and everytime you put your foot in the stirrup.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 507
Location: Lost in the corn of Iowa. | cecollins0811 - 2014-08-18 11:44 PM
I'm going to get a little personal right now and I'm having a hard time in the barrel racing part in my life. Whenever I come to a problem with my horse I become too negative and start telling myself I'm a failure, even though my horse just won a check a week ago. I really hate that I do this and set myself back but I have realized I've done this for almost 5 years now. I want to change but I don't even know where to begin. Has anyone been in this predicament before?
I am here now. Good horse. Seasoning a potentally good horse. But she has a bad rider. Any insight would be greatly appreciated that others have to share.
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 554
| I am in the same boat so my plan is to get my hind end moving and get in shape and slow work and just go to the races for fun. I noticed I changed when I got mad if I didn't place. It was like I had to place and win and it wasn't fun and my riding was horrible. So a few years trail riding and getting fluffy I have a new outlook. I look forward to getting going again!  | |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| It is hard to explain or convince someone to believe in themselves.
You pretty much need to change your entire outlook on life itself.
Why do you want to barrel race? Fame, glory, money or for the fun of it?
Myself I barrel race for the fun. Yes I want to be competitive, and this is the first year I don't have a 1d horse, I am starting from the ground up, and yes it sucks. For me what gets me through those tough humbling days is knowing my good horses are with people who are having success on them and love them dearly.
I also believe in the circle, one must donate in order to win. This year since none of mine were futurity ready, I have been going to low key barrel races, and honestly I am having just as much fun and less stress then going to the big shows.
I also surround myself with positive people, if someone is having a bad day or a bad run, I try and focus on the positive, on what they did that went right. And I do this to myself too. I am constantly thinking about my colts runs and how I can help them improve. I think about saddle, head gear, and how I cued the horse what worked well and what needs work on.
I also watch others work young horses and pick their brain on why they do what they do, then if I like their fundamentals and process I will incorporate it into my program.
To the op, 99 percent of the problems come down to the rider or how the horse was trained.
If you want to barrel race for the fame, glory, or money, then your mindset needs to be different, you will need to eat sleep and breathe barrel racing, the world champs of any sport don't just half ass it, on the off season they are training, they have psychologists, physiotherapists, and trainers year round.
I suggest going to the gym daily, work on core strength and balance exercises. This will help you sit in the saddle better.
Also try and get lessons on barrel racing if this is a weakness, if you bought your horse already patterned or seasoned, then try and spend one on one time with the trainer. If this is not an option then try to connect with someone who has a similar riding style. I have heard Charmayne James had people go to her place and ride with her for a month.
If is it all psychological then go see a sports psychologist, set up weekly sessions on how to prepare for your run. Barbra Schultz has a few self help books, she worked hand in hand with Canadian champion barrel racer Dee Butterfield, and I am guessing there are others.
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How to believe in yourself?