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 I"m Jealous!
Posts: 1737
   
Location: Benton City, WA | I am looking for some advice. I'm feeling discouraged. I have 2 very nice 1D jackpot horses. Both of them have placed at open rodeos with me in previous years, some of which were even WPRA co approved, and certainly had the same folks entering. I can't win a frickin dime at a rodeo this year. I have only entered pro rodeos and then close by jackpots. I have my WPRA card, and I have been extremely fortunate to get up exactly how I want when entering. I have probably made about 3-4 rodeo runs at pro rodeos on each horse this year (entered maybe 7-8 total) and its like a new day everyday.
I had my typically super consistent, very ratey mare run off at St Paul (literally looked like a novice horse), plow the second barrel out of the arena at Cheney (never does that), and then just a soso run at Joseph wherein she pretty much missed the first barrel (never does that either). My gelding, who typically handles tough ground fine, tripped badly at Sisters, just out of placing at Prineville, couldn't stand up at Eugene (had to pull up) and absolutely gave me the finger and refused to work at Elgin. In the same week that they work like dog crap at a rodeo, I can go to a local jackpot and they work like a charm & win it.
I really think I can safely say they aren't sore. I have had them back and forth to the vet, flex tests, bloodwork, etc. And I would think if they were sore they wouldn't work so good at jackpots either.
I feel like I probably just need to keep entering, but I'm just feeling down about it (I don't have unlimited finances to keep going if I never win, nor the desire honestly) and just looking for words of wisdom/advice etc. Of course, I know rodeo is different and they haven't been hauled a ton but they have been to a few for sure & done well before, so I'm a little puzzled.
Thank you all in advance for your help  |
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 Buttered Noodles Snacker
Posts: 4377
Location: NC | Could it be that they just aren't use to all the commotions of a rodeo?? They work better at the jackpots because there is less going on? In that case I imagine they just need time and experience. Maybe instead of switching back and forth pick one to take to rodeos this year and make it their year to REALLY get exposed to rodeos. While rodeo seasoning the one, use the other at jackpots. Then once the first is solid at rodeos start hauling the other to rodeos. Good luck |
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 Saint Stacey
| Getting yourself and horses rodeo seasoned can be a challenge. 1D jackpot horses typically have really bad habits because they don't have to stand up straight to turn on perfect ground. You get to a rodeo and it falls apart because they HAVE to stand up in order to not pancake at a lot of rodeos. They also aren't comfortable on harder ground or they get stuck on the heavy ground (especially if they are last in the drag). I know when my daughter's mare gets by a barrel it's because she doesn't like the way the ground feels so she protects herself. You can't fault her on that. I would recomnend watching videos of your runs (both rodeo and jackpot ones) and determine if your horses are upright or leaning. Also you might want to request slack for awhile since the slack atmosphere is similar to a jackpot. Just remember that everyone goes through slumps. Spend some time and figure out why they are having problems and then head back to the practice pen. Also take into account if you are the cause. Do you get more nervous or fidgety at a rodeo than jackpot? Maybe you brace your feet against the stirrups harder. Remember that a horse can feel a tiny fly anywhere on its body. They can also feel the smallest change when it comes to their jockey. Good luck! Everything will work our I'd you just be positive and keep the faith. |
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 The Worst Seller Ever
Posts: 4138
Location: Oklahoma | I know you said you had vet work done, but did they check the front? I have a horse that has not been on the barrels long, but he has been winning at the ammy rodeos, and jackpots. He started overrunning first every time no matter how much tuning I did. I found out he was sore all over in the front (I assume from years of no maintenance and roping calves). Got that fixed and he placed at one of the bigger rodeos around, less than 3 tenths off the winner.
He goes through good and bad days, but he is very green on the barrels. Most bad days are in different set up and different ground conditions. He is learning and placed twice last weekend in some less than ideal ground on an awkward set up.
Go to a quieter ammy or open rodeo and let your horse cruise. Let them get some confidence.
Edited by clover girl 2015-07-29 8:29 AM
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 Expert
Posts: 1857
| Are you sure it's not you? What I have noticed is if I'm at a rodeo/jackpot, whatever it may be, and I'm only there because I have this feeling like "I need to win, I need to justify coming, I need the money" my runs are horrible. It's as if I'm ridged in my riding, demanding, pushy, on edge and my horses feed off it. Our runs look like crap, their head is somewhere else, my head is only thinking about the clock and not my horse, and I get even further down on my horses and myself. We have to be there because we love to do it, we love the crowds, the adrenaline, and to see our horses succeed. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2128
| I am going through a similar situation and posted about it recently. I have taken a break from entering rodeos to hit jackpots. I will enter my next rodeo two weeks from now and am going to jackpots in between. KEEP GOING! Things will beging to work themselves out. The bad thing in our sport is, the only way it gets better is just to get out there and suffer through the rough patches. Maybe enter 3 jackpots to your every 1 rodeo. This will certainly help keep your confidence. Good luck, post updates :) |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 316
| Maybe you are getting your nerves up and not riding them the same as you do at jackpots. You are confident that they can place in the 1D at jackpots but not confident in rodeos. My advice would be to run at slack and just pretend it is another jackpot not a pro rodeo. I bet they are feeling your nervousness |
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I"m Jealous!
Posts: 1737
Location: Benton City, WA | SKM - 2015-07-29 4:40 AM Getting yourself and horses rodeo seasoned can be a challenge. 1D jackpot horses typically have really bad habits because they don't have to stand up straight to turn on perfect ground. You get to a rodeo and it falls apart because they HAVE to stand up in order to not pancake at a lot of rodeos. They also aren't comfortable on harder ground or they get stuck on the heavy ground (especially if they are last in the drag). I know when my daughter's mare gets by a barrel it's because she doesn't like the way the ground feels so she protects herself. You can't fault her on that. I would recomnend watching videos of your runs (both rodeo and jackpot ones) and determine if your horses are upright or leaning. Also you might want to request slack for awhile since the slack atmosphere is similar to a jackpot. Just remember that everyone goes through slumps. Spend some time and figure out why they are having problems and then head back to the practice pen. Also take into account if you are the cause. Do you get more nervous or fidgety at a rodeo than jackpot? Maybe you brace your feet against the stirrups harder. Remember that a horse can feel a tiny fly anywhere on its body. They can also feel the smallest change when it comes to their jockey. Good luck! Everything will work our I'd you just be positive and keep the faith.
Thanks SKM I think you make some very insightful points. I complete agree about the importance of standing up- my mare is really good at that but I know from watching my videos that my gelding is leaning a bit, anticipating the second barrel. I have clinic DVDs and have gone to clinics etc. but I'm honestly not sure how to fix what he is doing. If you have any ideas on teaching one to stand up straight I would love to hear them! And I completely agree about sometimes they get by a barrel because they are protecting themselves. I think my gelding was doing that in one instance when he wouldn't work at Elgin and my mare on the first barrel at Joseph, as the gal 2 after me had a bad wreck at that same barrel. It did make me feel better today when I saw that no one in my perf had placed.
As far as nerves, I see a lot of people brought that up and I have given that some serious consideration. I honestly don't think its me. I'm really not a nervous competitor. I often have to pump myself up, and more tend to be too relaxed in general.
Thank you so much! |
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I"m Jealous!
Posts: 1737
Location: Benton City, WA | clover girl - 2015-07-29 6:28 AM I know you said you had vet work done, but did they check the front? I have a horse that has not been on the barrels long, but he has been winning at the ammy rodeos, and jackpots. He started overrunning first every time no matter how much tuning I did. I found out he was sore all over in the front (I assume from years of no maintenance and roping calves). Got that fixed and he placed at one of the bigger rodeos around, less than 3 tenths off the winner.
He goes through good and bad days, but he is very green on the barrels. Most bad days are in different set up and different ground conditions. He is learning and placed twice last weekend in some less than ideal ground on an awkward set up.
Go to a quieter ammy or open rodeo and let your horse cruise. Let them get some confidence.
Thank you, yes he was very thorough and did check the front on both of them.
It sounds like your green horse is doing awesome :-) congrats!
I understand there are many different set ups and ground with rodeo...these horses have been hauled! They are 10 years old! Greenness is not an appropriate excuse at this point lol |
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 Porta Potty Pants
Posts: 2600
| I wish I could offer you some advice … I stubble with motivation to go to a jackpot across town. |
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Expert
Posts: 1586
Location: west of East Texas | Mine have to practice and exercise on crap ground so they are learnng to work with what they have. Can you work in some rugged terrain? If the ground is terrible and they didn't work for you, thank them for saving all that money in vet bills and move on to the next event. If jackpots are more profitable, stay there a while, get some money and some pleasure in running again. Has this slump only been for this year? I know several that would trade places with ya. Don't let this latest rash of yuck rain on tomorrow parade! Remember what got you that card!
What about farrier? How long has the same farrier been working on these horses?
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 Strong Willed Woman
Posts: 6577
Location: Prosser, WA | Maybe just season one at a time. I know it can be a long process and maybe even longed if you are doing two at the same time on a limited budget? Just make sure and take the other one with you. Good luck! |
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 How freakish is that?
Posts: 3927
Location: Oregon | Go where you can win. If you can't win at the pro rodeos go to the ammys til you can. I would go where I could win a check, summer in the NW at the pro rodeos is a tough place to win any money. |
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I AM being nice
Posts: 4396
Location: MD | crapshooter - 2015-07-30 12:06 PM
Go where you can win. If you can't win at the pro rodeos go to the ammys til you can. I would go where I could win a check, summer in the NW at the pro rodeos is a tough place to win any money.
I agree with this to an extent. I have a couple of horses and one rider who are getting rodeo seasoned this year. There are pens where I know that the girl who is new to rodeo and her horse who is still a bit green can go and place well. I'll take her other places and get them both used to new setups, but if I see her confidence slipping a bit, I'll make sure and enter up somewhere that I know will give her a bit of a confidence boost in a hurry. Sometimes, we have to be winning in order to win. It's a mindset, winning is. It doesn't matter where you go and do well. It can be an Ammy, an Open rodeo, whatever. If you step into the pen knowing that you won the last one that you went to, you'll believe that you're capable of winning this time too. |
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| WrapSnap - 2015-07-30 1:27 PM
crapshooter - 2015-07-30 12:06 PM
Go where you can win. If you can't win at the pro rodeos go to the ammys til you can. I would go where I could win a check, summer in the NW at the pro rodeos is a tough place to win any money.
I agree with this to an extent. I have a couple of horses and one rider who are getting rodeo seasoned this year. There are pens where I know that the girl who is new to rodeo and her horse who is still a bit green can go and place well. I'll take her other places and get them both used to new setups, but if I see her confidence slipping a bit, I'll make sure and enter up somewhere that I know will give her a bit of a confidence boost in a hurry. Sometimes, we have to be winning in order to win. It's a mindset, winning is. It doesn't matter where you go and do well. It can be an Ammy, an Open rodeo, whatever. If you step into the pen knowing that you won the last one that you went to, you'll believe that you're capable of winning this time too.
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I"m Jealous!
Posts: 1737
Location: Benton City, WA | crapshooter - 2015-07-30 10:06 AM
Go where you can win. If you can't win at the pro rodeos go to the ammys til you can. I would go where I could win a check, summer in the NW at the pro rodeos is a tough place to win any money.
Thanks, yeah I just bought that card & plan to do just that... |
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Saint Stacey
| We really don't do any exercises to keep them from leaning. Working in squares helps. Just don't let them drop the shoulder in circles. I honestly don't know what we do other than we are exact with where you place them in our slow work. If one is dropping in the turn when you go slow, you just tip the nose inside, step to the outside stirrup and pull the saddle horn to the outside. That stands them up. Basically you pull the arch, if that makes sense? |
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Expert
Posts: 4766
Location: Bandera, TX | Stacy, I really liked what you said. I go one step further and have mine do a haunches in as I'm in my transition zone. It helps many of my burners quickly but my turners they may take a few sessions to get those shoulders squared.
OP, I go to a few ammy rodeos but for the most part I take my young horses on the pro rodeos and get them seasoned in slack and weekday perfs when I can. I have no expectations but to have them getting confident at what their job is to be.
Several years back I had a good horse that I had talked my husband into letting me keep. He was killing 'em at the JP's but having issues at the rodeos. He went down on me at Pasadena. I took him straight to the vet he was with him for a month. I picked him up and had my head on because my sister helped me run my horse mentally every single day for an entire month in every pen that I was entered up for the opening of the season. He won the rodeos and would have set a new arena record at Lonestar had I not kicked over the second. Never underestimate the mental prep that goes into rodeo. Teach yourself to be resilient. You can do what you set your mind to do. Go win some $ and the JP's and Ammy's then enter on that $ a few pro shows. |
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I"m Jealous!
Posts: 1737
Location: Benton City, WA | uno-dos-tres! - 2015-07-31 11:48 PM Stacy, I really liked what you said. I go one step further and have mine do a haunches in as I'm in my transition zone. It helps many of my burners quickly but my turners they may take a few sessions to get those shoulders squared.
OP, I go to a few ammy rodeos but for the most part I take my young horses on the pro rodeos and get them seasoned in slack and weekday perfs when I can. I have no expectations but to have them getting confident at what their job is to be.
Several years back I had a good horse that I had talked my husband into letting me keep. He was killing 'em at the JP's but having issues at the rodeos. He went down on me at Pasadena. I took him straight to the vet he was with him for a month. I picked him up and had my head on because my sister helped me run my horse mentally every single day for an entire month in every pen that I was entered up for the opening of the season. He won the rodeos and would have set a new arena record at Lonestar had I not kicked over the second. Never underestimate the mental prep that goes into rodeo. Teach yourself to be resilient. You can do what you set your mind to do. Go win some $ and the JP's and Ammy's then enter on that $ a few pro shows.
Thank you for the advice, that is all very helpful.
I am embarassed to admit that I think I've figured out why my gelding was leaning...I think that especially when I get too tense, I have a real bad tendency to lean my upper body forward in the turns, and my horse is just probably trying to keep underneath of me. It works for Jackie Dube but she is also short, where I'm 5'9" and need to be sitting BACK in my turn, in order for my horses to balance themselves.
I tried to work on this this weekend and I was able to have the 1D at my little local jackpot all to myself, which does help a gal feel a little better. I should just know, its ALWAYS my fault. LOL |
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Rodeo peeps, I need a peptalk...