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Member
Posts: 9

| I am over 60 and have been barrel racing for 4 years. I made a step up to a faster horse with more rate. My problem is when Im coming out of first I can't seem to get up over horse and I feel all out of position. What do I do to keep myself in position?  |
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 Big Gun
Posts: 2216
   Location: Texas | Strengthen your core muscles and arms |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
              Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Does your saddle fit you well, sometimes if your stirrups are to long this will happen. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
        
| On Racer's Edge on RFD, Dena Kirkpatirk addressed this. She had a personal trainer on that showed her some core exercises to do to help with body control for us older barrel racers. I actually took notes! Now to see if I can even do them.  |
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 Veteran
Posts: 232
   Location: Winging It in KY | GLP - 2015-03-25 11:09 AM On Racer's Edge on RFD, Dena Kirkpatirk addressed this. She had a personal trainer on that showed her some core exercises to do to help with body control for us older barrel racers. I actually took notes! Now to see if I can even do them. 
Can you share your notes with those of us that don't get RFD? |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
        
| cuckleburr - 2015-03-25 10:37 AM
GLP - 2015-03-25 11:09 AM On Racer's Edge on RFD, Dena Kirkpatirk addressed this. She had a personal trainer on that showed her some core exercises to do to help with body control for us older barrel racers. I actually took notes! Now to see if I can even do them. 
Can you share your notes with those of us that don't get RFD?
Sure, would be glad too! It will be after dark when I get some time. |
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  The Original Cyber Bartender
          Location: Washington | How in shape are you? Like others have mentioned, core strength.
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7264
     
| You might try a Sports Saddle too. |
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 BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
          Location: Bastrop, Texas | I'm not sure I know what you mean when you say "up over a horse". If you mean that you are just getting behind, that's one thing. If you mean that you like to be up over the withers with your weight mostly on the forehand, that's another. It seems to me that if you get forward too much, your horse will tend to be front endy and you'll have a combination of your weight forward too much.....plus a horse that is jack hammering you when you ask for rate. I think that's what's going on when you see photos and videos where the rider is getting pitched forward and getting way out of position. It's one thing to be up over your buckle with your seat back in the saddle, and another where you are up way forward over the withers, sometimes even up off your saddle. I'm 60 and I used to have this happen to me all the time, partly because I thought I had to get "up and over", plus I rode wedged in a saddle that was much too small.
All the other suggestions sound good as well. That's just my take....as a "fellow 60 year old!" |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
       
| I have been riding most of my life. My balance sucks and I guess my core strength does too. I joined a fitness center and while working with the trainer I told her that I wanted to improve my balance and core strength. You would not believe how much that has helped.
I also bought a new Martha Josey saddle with forward hung stirrups. Make sure your seat is big enough so that it does not put your feet behind you. |
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  Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
       Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | As the others have said, core strength. But also what seems to help me is clearing my head and just thinking "forward". For some reason it helps me to stay in sync or even a little ahead. |
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Expert
Posts: 1561
   
| I know some great older riders and they are going to smaller cattier horses with less power. |
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Member
Posts: 9

| Yes I do think I'm getting behind but its only first barrel.. And as far as core strength....I guess i don't have any. I recorded RFDTV Racers Edge but haven't watched it yet.. I will
Thank you ladies for all your comments and advise.. It really helps.  |
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 Quarter Horse HIstorian
Posts: 2878
        Location: Aubrey, Texas | In addition to core strength, leg strength, focus, etc., it just takes some runs to get in sync with your horse- especially a new, faster one. Plus, we're coming off of winter where some of us haven't gotten to ride/run much. There was one year I threatened to put a carpet tack strip on my cantle to "encourage" me to get my rear up & out of the seat.
Do the workouts suggested, don't be too hard on yourself, and it will come. 
Edited by cloverleaf 2015-03-25 7:18 PM
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
        
| cuckleburr - 2015-03-25 10:37 AM
GLP - 2015-03-25 11:09 AM On Racer's Edge on RFD, Dena Kirkpatirk addressed this. She had a personal trainer on that showed her some core exercises to do to help with body control for us older barrel racers. I actually took notes! Now to see if I can even do them. 
Can you share your notes with those of us that don't get RFD?
Here are the exercises Dena did.
Planks for as long as you can hold it
Plank and bringing your leg up to your chest
Plank bringing your right leg up towards your left shoulder and vice versa
Lie on your back with legs bent feet off the floor put your hands on your knees and push your knees into your hand
Big ball exercises
With stomach on ball hands on the floor walk your hands/body as far out as you can with your feet/legs on the ball and hold as long as you can trying to only have your feet on the ball
With the ball against the wall and your back on the ball lower your body in a squat and hold
There were a dew more exercises but I didn't get them hopefully some one else will and tell us. |
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  Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4553
     Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | If you are "PUSHING" against the saddle horn as you coming around the barrel you will be in perfect position for leaving the barrel with your horse. As this ingrains your hiney against the back of your cantle as your horse throttles the push your horse has also launches you in time with your horse leaving the barrel.up and over the withers. Hopefully this makes sense. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 232
   Location: Winging It in KY | GLP - 2015-03-25 9:08 PM cuckleburr - 2015-03-25 10:37 AM GLP - 2015-03-25 11:09 AM On Racer's Edge on RFD, Dena Kirkpatirk addressed this. She had a personal trainer on that showed her some core exercises to do to help with body control for us older barrel racers. I actually took notes! Now to see if I can even do them.  Can you share your notes with those of us that don't get RFD?
Here are the exercises Dena did. Planks for as long as you can hold it Plank and bringing your leg up to your chest Plank bringing your right leg up towards your left shoulder and vice versa Lie on your back with legs bent feet off the floor put your hands on your knees and push your knees into your hand Big ball exercises With stomach on ball hands on the floor walk your hands/body as far out as you can with your feet/legs on the ball and hold as long as you can trying to only have your feet on the ball With the ball against the wall and your back on the ball lower your body in a squat and hold There were a dew more exercises but I didn't get them hopefully some one else will and tell us.
Thanks! |
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