cindyt - 2015-08-03 12:30 PM

Well crap NTO... I haven't gotten that far and I have already lost it...lol Im screwed!  But you are right, I haven't hauled but to a few shows in the last 10 years...

BR4... girl... I have been bucked off a couple times in the last 3 years and that didn't help... lol  the last one was a horse I NEVER seen it comin... least with the other, I didn't know her as well... and she got me... got me good!
 

Three 4 Luck - 2015-08-03 12:51 PM With age comes wisdom. I used to think I couldn't get hurt but now I know better.  My young horse now I really could use some help with because I'm going so slow with her it makes me want to kick my own ass.  My younger self would have had her running already.  I make myself keep moving forward. 

 

barrelracer4sure - 2015-08-03 12:54 PM  I feel your pain! It totally sucks! To top it off I know I am not in the best physical shape either and know that would help. But after I ride a couple of horses after work I am spent! I have got to do something!

mouse4me - 2015-08-03 12:54 PM I like to think of Tobby Keith's song, " I ain't as good as I once was, but just once, I am as good as I ever was." I hadn't ran in over a year, mostly do to my own health Issues, I've missed it terrible. So I went to a local NBHA close to the house. I had a great time, So did my horse. Looking at it different this time around, just happy to be there!

Herbie - 2015-08-03 1:28 PM Hey woman, you know all about the confidence issues I have dealt with as well.  What I have done is take the pressure completely off of myself and i've been going to playdays.  I don't know a soul there and I have no pressure put on my self to go in there and try to win the barrel race.  If I want to trot, I trot, if I want to lope, I lope.  What I mostly end up doing is trotting all of the crazy events they have and the making a practice run at the end of the night when it's finally time for the barrels.  I've had alot of fun doing this, and it's been great for my horse too!  He has had to go up the alley and pay attention and wait for me to show him what we're doing for the other events.  The barrels are always the last event, so by the time they roll around, both me and my horse are tired and focused and it has been a really easy way to step back into making runs.....plus, it's been great for my horse to just have to go and endure it.  Has taken away the anticipation of him thinking he knows what he's doing and we're learning to trust each other more and more.  I have no intention of ever being the one bucket flag race champ or the running w champ, but it sure it good for my horse to go up the alley and have to pay attention and trot through and around barrels and poles and not make a run or go work a set of exhibition barrels everytime we go up the alley.  By far the best thing i've done for me and my horse!  And we're close enough we could meet in the middle at some of these playdays!!!!

barrelracer4sure - 2015-08-03 1:28 PM  I know! I watch all these young people run, including my daughter and think, wow I used to be there once! I even had myself talked into really hustling and riding forward on my mare this weekend. Got down the alley and she heard the fans over head and saw the shadows and I didn't kick once. It was horrible. I was so embarrassed. I rode like I was a beginner. I have GOT to do something before I ruin my horseß

cindyt - 2015-08-03 1:35 PM


Ive thought of selling mine for this reason... cause If I can't do them justice someone needs too... I feel your frustrations..... totally!

My horse spooks and I used to laugh and job um back over now... my butt puckers and I grab the horn lol geesh
 

horsesinharleton - 2015-08-03 1:43 PM I have had the same problem. Layna Kight (a very Godly woman) told me a couple of years ago that God has dominion over me and that He gave us dominion over animals (which includes our horses). She told me to just speak that to my horse when I get on and remind him of that. I know it is true in my heart, but sometimes it has been hard to get that to my mind! I am still working on it!!

grinandbareit - 2015-08-03 1:56 PM I think the key to riding and competing as we get older, is to find the right horse. You need to have a horse that you trust, one that is smooth through the pattern and easy to ride. Confidence is one of the main topics at our 40 and over clinics, and it is one that many ladies struggle with, myself included. I had t-shirts made that say TRUST GOD - AND HAVE 17 SECONDS of courage! That pretty much sums it up, lol.

cindyt - 2015-08-03 12:30 PM Well crap NTO... I haven't gotten that far and I have already lost it...lol Im screwed!  But you are right, I haven't hauled but to a few shows in the last 10 years...



BR4... girl... I have been bucked off a couple times in the last 3 years and that didn't help... lol  the last one was a horse I NEVER seen it comin... least with the other, I didn't know her as well... and she got me... got me good!

 

LMS - 2015-08-03 2:19 PM

haha svincent, you need to imagine those 2 precious children whining and screaming as you enter the gate and sending your horse on an imaginary get away!  That would make me go faster :)

Almost all of us have had a crash or ten and surprisingly we survived-right.....that's an accomplishment to be proud of especially if you learned something from it! 

mouse4me - 2015-08-03 12:54 PM

I like to think of Tobby Keith's song,
" I ain't as good as I once was, but just once,
I am as good as I ever was."
I hadn't ran in over a year, mostly do to my own health
Issues, I've missed it terrible. So I went to a local
NBHA close to the house. I had a great time,
So did my horse. Looking at it different this time around, just happy to be there!

Herbie - 2015-08-03 1:28 PM

Hey woman, you know all about the confidence issues I have dealt with as well.  What I have done is take the pressure completely off of myself and i've been going to playdays.  I don't know a soul there and I have no pressure put on my self to go in there and try to win the barrel race.  If I want to trot, I trot, if I want to lope, I lope.  What I mostly end up doing is trotting all of the crazy events they have and the making a practice run at the end of the night when it's finally time for the barrels.  I've had alot of fun doing this, and it's been great for my horse too!  He has had to go up the alley and pay attention and wait for me to show him what we're doing for the other events.  The barrels are always the last event, so by the time they roll around, both me and my horse are tired and focused and it has been a really easy way to step back into making runs.....plus, it's been great for my horse to just have to go and endure it.  Has taken away the anticipation of him thinking he knows what he's doing and we're learning to trust each other more and more.  I have no intention of ever being the one bucket flag race champ or the running w champ, but it sure it good for my horse to go up the alley and have to pay attention and trot through and around barrels and poles and not make a run or go work a set of exhibition barrels everytime we go up the alley.  By far the best thing i've done for me and my horse!  And we're close enough we could meet in the middle at some of these playdays!!!!

sodapop - 2015-08-03 8:49 PM  Hey, hey cindyt! You are 10 feet tall and bullet proof!

Chandler's Mom - 2015-08-03 10:54 PM You are so smart, Herbie!! I've seen so many barrel racers lately that could sure do with some of your coaching. . .

cindyt - 2015-08-04 8:35 AM She needs to host a few clinic's... she is motivating!  

LMS - 2015-08-04 9:15 AM I also wanted to add something....I think there is a stigma that "if" you're not in the greatest shape and "if" you're older you can't possibly ride a 1D horse....read about it all the time on facebook, how to become better, the "trick" to becoming faster, the exercises to do to be stronger/quicker etc.....let's face it some people can't ride a stick horse to water, and they CAN get better, but I do think there is some natural born talent in almost all people, just don't let the neigh sayers bring you down. or change what is comfortable for you. 



IMO a good solid 1D horse is 10 times easier to ride than a lookie loo 4D er.....



I for one feel very fortunate to have ridden on a horse by myself for 37 years-never had great horses but always had safe/smart horses.  I sometimes feed off my first check I won in 1981-it hangs in my basement........





Bottom line-some "professionals" that preach about their abilities and how to become just like them piff me off!  They are the ones I avoid because I constantly feel judged by some of them. BUT don't be afraid to listen to the good ones.....tons of knowledge that if you're wanting to can help you along.  Start with confidence within yourself (not from others) and then take it to the arena.

cindyt - 2015-08-03 1:07 PM yea... my chiro loves me...lol and I know now I don't bounce back up... and usually land with absolutely NO grace...

I go slow for so long most people would hot lap me on my own horses...

I have to admit... I wanna kick my own ass too lol

 

Circle W - 2015-08-03 1:12 PM I think the lack of confidence comes with age and children. I got bucked off after I had my kids and it really scared me to think that I could have gotten really hurt. I don't bounce like I used too. I bruise and sore terribly! It really put me in check. Now my kids are almost teenagers and are riding with me and they scare the crap out of me!!! They have NO fear at all. But they have gotten me back into showing and running. The more I go I gain a little more confidence each time. But I know I will never be the rider I used to be. But that is okay because I still enjoy doing what I do. Just at a different pace then it used to be.

Paintbrlrcr - 2015-08-04 11:04 AM This!!!  I still ride but have just as much fun watching my daughter as I ever did competing!  I even enjoy watching my young horses go with my trainer now - I don't get on the greenies anymore.  I switched from barrel racing to eventing and my #1 priority is a quiet horse that won't try to kill me.  Don't even care if I win or not as long as I come back safe @ the end of the day!!! 

Herbie - 2015-08-04 9:22 AM

Awww, Chandlers Mom and cindyT, you guys are pretty sweet, thank you!  I have struggled with confidence this year too and it has not been easy to overcome.  I priced my colt to a few people and then cried myself to sleep for several nights at the thought of someone pulling out of my driveway with him in their trailer.  He was coming back from a very serious illness, so it wasn't like I could get someone else to put a few rides on him for me.  We eased into it and for the first two weeks I lunged him first and then only walked or sat still on him.  We eased up to trotting and I still freaked out everytime he swished his tail for a while.  We've now made three "runs".....two at playdays and one at a jackpot.  At all three I rode him for a long time (hours) before we made a run just to work out his and my nerves.  The playdays have really been so good for all of us and have completely eliminated the pressure I had placed on the both of us to be competitive at this stage.  I have fallen even more in love with my horse and learned to trust him, myself, and the process.  When I made the second run at the jackpot on him, my friend and I both were in tears....it was a huge step in the right direction.  We made a top of the 3D run and didn't win a dime, but I felt like i'd won the world!  The last run we made, I didn't even have a death grip on the saddle horn running home...now THAT's progress!!!  HAHA 

And cindyT is GOING to come playday with me this fall!!!!  I just know it!  Even if I have to come and pick her up and then go to the playday, we're doing it!  And anyone else is more than welcome to join us.  We may not be lightning fast, but we'll have a good time and it will be progress.  :)  So come on Chandlers Mom....don't you need a vacation?!?!?!?!  Don't come this week though.....my weatherman Dan says it's gonna be 106 on Saturday....blah.  :(

Now, grinandbareit, where could a person purchase one of those t-shirts you're desribing????? 


 

Herbie - 2015-08-07 10:03 AM Hey, Chandler's Mom, you are welcome to come and ride any time you want to!  If you're in AR, depending on what part, we aren't that far away!  If you want to come spend a weekend just to get away, you and anyone else for that matter, are welcome any time!  I don't have any more wisdom that anyone else, i've just learned to not take myself so seriously in life and in competition.  Do I want to win a barrel race again, you bet I do, and I will work toward that, but I also know that Rome wasn't built in a day.  Bottom line is that we do this because we enjoy it, so i've learned to just take my time and enjoy it and smell the roses a little along the way.  



I'm serious about that, if you'd like to get together sometime, i'd love to meet you!  We can kick it at the house or go find us a barrel race or playday to hit, but whatever the case, it would be fun I can guarantee you that!   

3canstorun - 2015-08-04 8:58 AM

I have lost mine.  But, I am slowly gaining it back.  I have sold nice horses because I knew I couldn't ride them.  I have basically quit going to our district NBHA because of the things I have seen and heard the people say about others.  And, these things coming from the people who run it.  I have a decent horse to run and by no means1D, but I have fun.   

I have a goal though.  I have two nice and one cooking up and coming youngsters.  After they come home from the trainers and their time there, I am going to ride them.  I am not going to sell this time.  I might be crazy, but I am going to do it one more time. 

lonely va barrelxr - 2015-08-07 2:47 PM

I will admit that my dream was to win every division at the same show, including 1D, dangit.

Then I started feeling old.  And my rocket mare and I can only get to the bottom of the 1D or win the 2D.  A few years ago I started slacking on working out in the winter, and not riding as much in the summer.  So my riding suffered terribly.

This spring I decided to either poop or move off the pot.  I decided I owed it to my horses to lose a few pounds and started getting up earlier and working abs, stretching, and balance exercising.  6 weeks in and my riding has changed a ton.  I've lost almost 15 pounds and I have started to ride sitting down at a trot and lope again.  This weekend will be my 2nd show since working on myself and I'm excited to see if it will translate into better riding full speed on the pattern.  

I don't know if I'll ever win a show.  I know my best chance is right now in barrel training and will start seasoning later this year.  I'm hoping I can keep up with my work on myself and be in the best shape I can be for my age (over 50 but not quite to 55 yet), and ride Peon to his fullest ability, and mine.  

My confidence is still lacking, at least in my overall riding ability.  I don't think I'm good enough to ride at the top.  I'm going to spend some time and effort working on my weaknesses on the pattern with the help of two great sets of eyes on me this fall and next spring.  

It sucks getting old with your dreams not reached, but so close.  Sometimes I've wanted to just pack it up and quit.  But I love barrel racing.  I love the people and environment.  I've overcome so much to walk away now.  

In the end it's about having fun for the majority of us.  Trainers are another thing, but most of us are in it for the experience.  

Herbie - 2015-08-07 10:03 AM

Hey, Chandler's Mom, you are welcome to come and ride any time you want to!  If you're in AR, depending on what part, we aren't that far away!  If you want to come spend a weekend just to get away, you and anyone else for that matter, are welcome any time!  I don't have any more wisdom that anyone else, i've just learned to not take myself so seriously in life and in competition.  Do I want to win a barrel race again, you bet I do, and I will work toward that, but I also know that Rome wasn't built in a day.  Bottom line is that we do this because we enjoy it, so i've learned to just take my time and enjoy it and smell the roses a little along the way.  

I'm serious about that, if you'd like to get together sometime, i'd love to meet you!  We can kick it at the house or go find us a barrel race or playday to hit, but whatever the case, it would be fun I can guarantee you that!   

Herbie - 2015-08-07 1:31 PM

Aahhhh, TurnLane, my saddle loving buddy!  I always look forward to your texts because I know they're going to make me drool!  HAHA  I have certainly enjoyed getting to know you a little bit as well, hope to continue to get to know you and meet you in person one day.  :)  

Maybe you and I should meet at a barrel race this fall too.  It would be fun to hang out and talk about saddles, horses, feeds and feeding and whatever other issues come up and just be that support system for each other.  Not only was Rome not built in a day.....nor was it built by a single Roman....so we all have to stick together and keep building, my Roman buddies!  While I have certainly been guilty at many points of being overly critical of others and of myself, neither of which i'm proud of, but i'm learning that the only person I need to impress is me and that what others choose to do is their business and out of my control.  TurnLane, I know how devastating that must've been, but look at it this way, at least they're talking about a worthy subject.....YOU!  :)  If you were insignificant, you wouldn't be a topic......take it as a compliment and let's go have ourselves a good time! 

Funny story, I found this super cool royal blue matte helmet yesterday and sent the link to my husband that I thought I might buy it.  He's not a horsey guy, but instead a sports guy, so he brings a completely different point of view and thought process to my training and conditioning program.....insignificant side note....anyway, he said that he was going to put a sticker on the back of it that said "if you ain't first, you're last" (ps....my horse's name is Ricky).  I have a helmet now but nearly had a heat stroke in it last year about this time and got out of the habit of wearing it.  :(  I know, bad me.  So I told hubby, NO WAY, we don't need that kind of attention, heck we're more like the Ricky Bobby who is creeping around the race track with all the Nascars buzzing by him and yelling obscenities out the window!  He laughed and said he was proud of me and Ricky and that we were really doing good and had come a long way in a short time based on all the set backs we'd had with the sickness, etc.  So I said, and I quote myself, "I've looked the Cougar in the eye, and am now learning to drive with him in the car!" HAHAHA (Sure hope ya'll have seen Talladega Nights or you will be like HUH???)  So that is the new slogan around the house when someone asks how a tough project is going.....I've looked the Cougar in the eye, now i'm learning to drive with him in the car!  Before you know it, we'll be driving (riding) it like we stole it.....so folks better keep their head on a swivel when it comes to us because we're gonna slip up in there before long and get some of that money!