|
|
 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 495
 
Location: Washington | Trying to decide which to enter my daughter in, in an upcoming barrel series.
She'll be 7 in a couple weeks and is riding the horse I use to run on before she took of over the reins.
The last couple years have been light for competing but she's put A LOT of work into it this summer and when I took her to a race a couple weeks back her time run would have placed her in 5D money. That was with the horse being cautious at first because last place he had "ran" was horribly slippery. This same time run would have placed her 3rd in pee wees, which is 12 and under, that week.
Since she IS still young, do I keep her in pee wee or do I bump her up to Open and/or youth (Sometimes a youth wins both around here). She's very competitive and just wants to go out there and do it, so I have a strong feeling they will just get faster with consistent runs. She only gets to practice at races, which have been about once a month since May.
Any suggestions are appreciated or maybe some light on why this is such a hard decision? Just because I enter her open in this series doesn't mean I'm ruining her pee wee status, she could run pee wee again somewhere else.
Edited by Lopin' Leopard 2015-10-12 6:25 AM
|
|
| |
|
 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
 
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | My 7 year old got discouraged and quit wanting to enter because while she was trotting through and loping out, most of the other kids in her age division were running and she was never close to winning anything. I hate that for her, but it is what it is. She can keep playing at home until she gets brave enough to step it up. What I'm saying is do what's best for your child and don't worry if she's tough for her age group. If she would benefit from stepping up to youth and being pushed harder, go for it. If she needs the confidence that comes with success before taking that step, then keep her in peewee. |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 823
Location: East Texas | Go where she has the most fun. She is 6..... It is not about winning, getting a college scholarship, pro card, etc. Spend this time with her and count it as quality family time. That is the only thing that matters. Absolutely no reason to stress about it. |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 628
Location: Missouri | I don't have a child, but every time a see a pee-wee blow the competition out of the water, as in running times that would place them in the 1-D or 2-D of youth, I wonder why they are in pee-wee. I see pee-wee as kind of a building block. It helps kids get use to running and encourages them to work hard so they can win the little ribbon. I have also seen pee-wees run in both youth and pee-wee and to me that is just wrong! As a parent do you really need to be so competitive to take away from a younger rider so that your kid can "win". Pee-wee money isn't all that great. It's like a dollar and a ribbon. I'm sorry for the rant, but I think pee wee should be a way to help younger riders build confidence and win some prizes. If your kid can place or win the youth, maybe you should bump them up so that the less experienced kids don't get discouraged. I hate seeing big fish in little ponds. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 495
Location: Washington | mlh0972 - 2015-10-08 6:41 AM
I don't have a child, but every time a see a pee-wee blow the competition out of the water, as in running times that would place them in the 1-D or 2-D of youth, I wonder why they are in pee-wee. I see pee-wee as kind of a building block. It helps kids get use to running and encourages them to work hard so they can win the little ribbon. I have also seen pee-wees run in both youth and pee-wee and to me that is just wrong! As a parent do you really need to be so competitive to take away from a younger rider so that your kid can "win". Pee-wee money isn't all that great. It's like a dollar and a ribbon. I'm sorry for the rant, but I think pee wee should be a way to help younger riders build confidence and win some prizes. If your kid can place or win the youth, maybe you should bump them up so that the less experienced kids don't get discouraged. I hate seeing big fish in little ponds.
THIS!^^^ I think this is what I'm hung up on! No I should NOT care what other people think BUT she is "running" my 1D/rodeo horse! And I have had a couple comments about her "running mom's horse" and also others that are surprised he comes down to her level. She was loping him on a standard pattern in pee wee at 3 yrs old when I was still competing on him.
She doesn't need the pee wee for confidence. She's plenty confident, she does need confidence with the speed but that will come with time and practice and he DOES come down to her level. Is she close to winning open or youth, no, but she has a chance of placing in the lower D's.
I am very relaxed about he winning part, if it was about winning I'd put her in pee wee. She has a couple belt buckles already and a wall full of ribbons. We have fun every time we go out. As long as she's in the saddle she is a happy camper.
Thanks for the input, keep you opinions coming! :D
|
|
| |
|
 Chicken Chick
Posts: 3562
Location: Texas | When I was younger my friend and I were insanely competitive and we had some pretty fast horses. At our local playdays, we were put in classes by age. My friend and I made it nearly impossible for the kids our age to get close to our times. So the club moved us up to the adult class, even though they made a fuss about us wanting to enter in the older classes before. We still beat the adults a lot, and our friends back in our age group actually had fun because they didn't dread seeing us pull up. We had more fun because honestly just going out and competing against one person gets boring.
It made us better honestly. The adults gave us a run for our money, before we were moved the only competition we had was each other.
I see those classes as step up classes. If she is running above what most in her class run and she doesn't need the confidence I would move her up. Give another kid a chance to be the big shot, and let my kid see that she needs to continue to work hard. |
|
| |
|
 Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
Location: Louisiana | pinx05 - 2015-10-08 9:07 AM
When I was younger my friend and I were insanely competitive and we had some pretty fast horses. At our local playdays, we were put in classes by age. My friend and I made it nearly impossible for the kids our age to get close to our times. So the club moved us up to the adult class, even though they made a fuss about us wanting to enter in the older classes before. We still beat the adults a lot, and our friends back in our age group actually had fun because they didn't dread seeing us pull up. We had more fun because honestly just going out and competing against one person gets boring.
It made us better honestly. The adults gave us a run for our money, before we were moved the only competition we had was each other.
I see those classes as step up classes. If she is running above what most in her class run and she doesn't need the confidence I would move her up. Give another kid a chance to be the big shot, and let my kid see that she needs to continue to work hard.
I had a calf roper friend that the kids and parents in his age group threw a fit bc he was too good. But the kids and parents in the older age group threw a fit bc they didn't want to get best by him either! Lol
He roped in the oldest age division and still kicked butt.
I know a little girl that is running 2-D, 3-D horses and kicks butt. She's teeny tiny. She runs in every group she can. She even still runs the kiddie class that pays back $2. I don't really understand why they "waste" a run on her horse for that. I see it as she has a super nice horse she's running 3-4 times a day. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 495
Location: Washington | They aren't allowed to cross enter here, it's pee wee OR open/youth/novice, but you can cross enter in those three.
IF she ran open and youth her time would be rolled. She'd get a time only, then her one run. She is eligible for novice but the horse is WAY over the money earned limit so I dont see the point in entering them in it, kind of same deal with pee wee IMO. |
|
| |
|
Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
Location: Louisiana | Lopin' Leopard - 2015-10-08 9:28 AM They aren't allowed to cross enter here, it's pee wee OR open/youth/novice, but you can cross enter in those three. IF she ran open and youth her time would be rolled. She'd get a time only, then her one run. She is eligible for novice but the horse is WAY over the money earned limit so I dont see the point in entering them in it, kind of same deal with pee wee IMO.
If it's either or, I would choose open and youth then. If she's placing well enough to win some money in the lower Ds, I would think that would give you a better shot at nicer payouts and year end awards. I mean come on, we all like money and prizes lol. I was thinking you were just contemplating pulling her from the peewee just because. And if you feel like she's only improving, then there you go. :)
For the record, if it was an option to run all of them, I wouldn't look down in you or have issue with it. Not that my opinion matters anyway bc I don't have kids. And the little girl I mentioned above, it doesn't bother me that she runs everything. I simply wonder why. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 628
Location: Missouri | I agree with that running against tougher competition will make you "tougher", but not when it comes to pee-wees. If you have to put your kid in by age, that is one thing, my parents always asked if they could bump us up to the older group to be fair and most organizations agreed. I think by entering a kid who is able to handle themselves in the open/youth, only makes them a better rider. Plus, the first time they beat mom, you better watch out! HAHA I think as parents, you need to put aside the competitiveness and work on making your kid love and enjoy what they do. Plus running against tougher girls makes them realize they won't win every time. Making children humble isn't a bad thing. You have to lose so you can go home, work hard, and win the next time. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 495
Location: Washington | She has fun! She begs to go. I usually don't tell her until day of because she gets too excited to sleep and she HAS to have her sleep to compete well, this I have learned. She's been counting down all week since I have been discussing this one with her trying to decide where to enter her.
One of you commented on better pay and awards. That is my thinking. I think she might be too mature to really appreciate a pee wee award anymore. She's mostly after the money........The producer of this series gives check back to pee wees at each race, another she entered awhile back gave little $1 store prizes at each race, she'd rather had the money. lol |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1131
| mlh0972 - 2015-10-08 10:55 AM
I agree with that running against tougher competition will make you "tougher", but not when it comes to pee-wees. If you have to put your kid in by age, that is one thing, my parents always asked if they could bump us up to the older group to be fair and most organizations agreed. I think by entering a kid who is able to handle themselves in the open/youth, only makes them a better rider. Plus, the first time they beat mom, you better watch out! HAHA I think as parents, you need to put aside the competitiveness and work on making your kid love and enjoy what they do. Plus running against tougher girls makes them realize they won't win every time. Making children humble isn't a bad thing. You have to lose so you can go home, work hard, and win the next time.
I used to run with an 8 year old who started getting a bit cocky that she won PeeWee where ever we took her, so we took her up with us to a BIG 10k futurity/5D race, where there was 30+ entries in PeeWee alone (She was used to the 5 or 6 runners). She ran 4th and it knocked her down a few pegs (4th out of all of those is still awesome, don't get me wrong!). It's good for them to not win sometimes so they don't get OVERLY confident and start being stupidly confident. |
|
| |
|
Veteran
Posts: 180
| I heard an awesome podcast from Lance Graves about this very subject. I’ll attach the link.
http://lancegravesclub.com/lg-club-free-preview-page/ |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 495
Location: Washington | FlyingHigh1454 - 2015-10-08 10:12 AM
mlh0972 - 2015-10-08 10:55 AM
I agree with that running against tougher competition will make you "tougher", but not when it comes to pee-wees. If you have to put your kid in by age, that is one thing, my parents always asked if they could bump us up to the older group to be fair and most organizations agreed. I think by entering a kid who is able to handle themselves in the open/youth, only makes them a better rider. Plus, the first time they beat mom, you better watch out! HAHA I think as parents, you need to put aside the competitiveness and work on making your kid love and enjoy what they do. Plus running against tougher girls makes them realize they won't win every time. Making children humble isn't a bad thing. You have to lose so you can go home, work hard, and win the next time.
I used to run with an 8 year old who started getting a bit cocky that she won PeeWee where ever we took her, so we took her up with us to a BIG 10k futurity/5D race, where there was 30+ entries in PeeWee alone (She was used to the 5 or 6 runners ). She ran 4th and it knocked her down a few pegs (4th out of all of those is still awesome, don't get me wrong! ). It's good for them to not win sometimes so they don't get OVERLY confident and start being stupidly confident.
Her time run would of been 3rd out of almost 30 pee wees. Her time would have roughly put her 138th out of 170+ entries in the open and 3rd in 5D money. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 495
Location: Washington |
Thank you for the link! I liked it and agree with it but I left it as more towards upgrading the horse not what division to run them in.
I'll add a couple links to her running (make sure volume is down)
https://youtu.be/LrvcttP5me4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j38j4szK-aQ
This was her last time run: https://youtu.be/6hEqOK7XT68
 |
|
| |
|
Veteran
Posts: 180
| Lopin' Leopard - 2015-10-08 10:56 AM
Thank you for the link! I liked it and agree with it but I left it as more towards upgrading the horse not what division to run them in. I'll add a couple links to her running (make sure volume is down ) https://youtu.be/LrvcttP5me4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j38j4szK-aQ This was her last time run: https://youtu.be/6hEqOK7XT68
Whoops! My bad. Didn’t read the thread very carefully. I would say upgrade her. At least have her run in the youth race. Just my two cents. |
|
| |
|
 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | mlh0972 - 2015-10-08 9:55 AM
I agree with that running against tougher competition will make you "tougher", but not when it comes to pee-wees. If you have to put your kid in by age, that is one thing, my parents always asked if they could bump us up to the older group to be fair and most organizations agreed. I think by entering a kid who is able to handle themselves in the open/youth, only makes them a better rider. Plus, the first time they beat mom, you better watch out! HAHA I think as parents, you need to put aside the competitiveness and work on making your kid love and enjoy what they do. Plus running against tougher girls makes them realize they won't win every time. Making children humble isn't a bad thing. You have to lose so you can go home, work hard, and win the next time.
Speaking of competition---there was a mother and son in our area that were both up for a year end saddle. . . Maybe it's just me, but if had been my son and his first saddle, there's no way I'd have called for a run off, but she did. And beat him, laughing the whole time. I know there are different ways to look at this, but it hurts my heart for the son. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1131
| Chandler's Mom - 2015-10-08 11:25 PM
mlh0972 - 2015-10-08 9:55 AM
I agree with that running against tougher competition will make you "tougher", but not when it comes to pee-wees. If you have to put your kid in by age, that is one thing, my parents always asked if they could bump us up to the older group to be fair and most organizations agreed. I think by entering a kid who is able to handle themselves in the open/youth, only makes them a better rider. Plus, the first time they beat mom, you better watch out! HAHA I think as parents, you need to put aside the competitiveness and work on making your kid love and enjoy what they do. Plus running against tougher girls makes them realize they won't win every time. Making children humble isn't a bad thing. You have to lose so you can go home, work hard, and win the next time.
Speaking of competition---there was a mother and son in our area that were both up for a year end saddle. . . Maybe it's just me, but if had been my son and his first saddle, there's no way I'd have called for a run off, but she did. And beat him, laughing the whole time. I know there are different ways to look at this, but it hurts my heart for the son.
Could you imagine though how he's going to feel when he does finally win one, without having it given to him? When he does finally beat his mom fair and square? I know that I would want to win it, fair and square.
I see your point though, but the son also could've had the same mindset as me and insist his mom not give up so he could win. Who knows? |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 695
Location: Missouri | I have helped put on several shows in our area and have attended many others, so here is my take! When I put on the show the PW's can only enter PW's - you can lead them, have some one stationed at each barrel or they can run by themselves. It is usually 10&u. Plus everyone of the kids get thier $5 entry fee(mail las my niece called it!)back! So really it is a free run, but it lets those kids have fun and learn with no pressure! Now when you are running a nice consistent pattern and you could place in one of the D's in the youth then move them up! But remember most of the young kids have no idea about winning money and could care less, until a parent makes it all about the money! At this age it should be about horsemanship and having FUN! If they have to walk the whole pattern to get it right let them, speed will come! |
|
| |
|
 Don't Wanna Make This Awkward
Posts: 3106
Location: Texas | Make her first few runs in the pee wee and see how she handles the "competition" the open may be too much pressure..
She is 7 so even if she doesn't fully grasp how to be competitive she will most likley know the difference and it may affect her, you won't know if it will be a good or bad affect until she's entered.
I was always extremely competitive and my sister not so much. Even though we had the same amount of riding experience I was always a few seconds faster than her until she really got confident which was when she was about 15. And we had both been riding since around 5. |
|
| |
|
My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | FlyingHigh1454 - 2015-10-08 10:35 PM
Chandler's Mom - 2015-10-08 11:25 PM
mlh0972 - 2015-10-08 9:55 AM
I agree with that running against tougher competition will make you "tougher", but not when it comes to pee-wees. If you have to put your kid in by age, that is one thing, my parents always asked if they could bump us up to the older group to be fair and most organizations agreed. I think by entering a kid who is able to handle themselves in the open/youth, only makes them a better rider. Plus, the first time they beat mom, you better watch out! HAHA I think as parents, you need to put aside the competitiveness and work on making your kid love and enjoy what they do. Plus running against tougher girls makes them realize they won't win every time. Making children humble isn't a bad thing. You have to lose so you can go home, work hard, and win the next time.
Speaking of competition---there was a mother and son in our area that were both up for a year end saddle. . . Maybe it's just me, but if had been my son and his first saddle, there's no way I'd have called for a run off, but she did. And beat him, laughing the whole time. I know there are different ways to look at this, but it hurts my heart for the son.
Could you imagine though how he's going to feel when he does finally win one, without having it given to him? When he does finally beat his mom fair and square? I know that I would want to win it, fair and square.
I see your point though, but the son also could've had the same mindset as me and insist his mom not give up so he could win. Who knows?
Guess you would have to know the situation and the people; just wasn't done in the right mindset---more like my 13 or 14 year old (could have been even younger) isn't gonna beat me, just watch. Now he regularly spanks her in shows (buckles, saddles, money, etc under his belt) but their relationship is not good, let's put it that way. The support of a mother done correctly is a beautiful thing. . . . The reverse, not so much. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 495
Location: Washington | First off, thank you all for not calling me crazy for thinking about bumping her up! Was TOTALLY worth it!
It was a BIG chunk of money to fork out on a gamble if she'd even be close, I entered her in Open and Youth both for points and money, plus awards fees and a couple time onlies. Well she went out and blew everyone's socks off!! Even mine! She ran a 1D TIME!!!! Not sure if knowing she was running with the big girls gave her that extra edge or what but D*MN she totally made it worth my money! Her time was good enough to tie for 8th in the open out of 110 runs and split 1st in youth (with same person she tied with in open)
Here is her video. My camera wouldn't focus for the person recording but you get the idea. 
https://youtu.be/jSdSDaTNm6M |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1131
| Lopin' Leopard - 2015-10-12 7:24 AM
First off, thank you all for not calling me crazy for thinking about bumping her up! Was TOTALLY worth it!
It was a BIG chunk of money to fork out on a gamble if she'd even be close, I entered her in Open and Youth both for points and money, plus awards fees and a couple time onlies. Well she went out and blew everyone's socks off!! Even mine! She ran a 1D TIME!!!! Not sure if knowing she was running with the big girls gave her that extra edge or what but D*MN she totally made it worth my money! Her time was good enough to tie for 8th in the open out of 110 runs and split 1st in youth (with same person she tied with in open )
Here is her video. My camera wouldn't focus for the person recording but you get the idea.
https://youtu.be/jSdSDaTNm6M
Yay!! Good job to her! |
|
| |
|
Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | Lopin' Leopard - 2015-10-12 6:24 AM First off, thank you all for not calling me crazy for thinking about bumping her up! Was TOTALLY worth it! It was a BIG chunk of money to fork out on a gamble if she'd even be close, I entered her in Open and Youth both for points and money, plus awards fees and a couple time onlies. Well she went out and blew everyone's socks off!! Even mine! She ran a 1D TIME!!!! Not sure if knowing she was running with the big girls gave her that extra edge or what but D*MN she totally made it worth my money! Her time was good enough to tie for 8th in the open out of 110 runs and split 1st in youth (with same person she tied with in open ) Here is her video. My camera wouldn't focus for the person recording but you get the idea. https://youtu.be/jSdSDaTNm6M
Good job, both of you! Her for kicking butt, and you for doing what was best for your child.  |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 628
Location: Missouri | Lopin' Leopard - 2015-10-12 6:24 AM
First off, thank you all for not calling me crazy for thinking about bumping her up! Was TOTALLY worth it!
It was a BIG chunk of money to fork out on a gamble if she'd even be close, I entered her in Open and Youth both for points and money, plus awards fees and a couple time onlies. Well she went out and blew everyone's socks off!! Even mine! She ran a 1D TIME!!!! Not sure if knowing she was running with the big girls gave her that extra edge or what but D*MN she totally made it worth my money! Her time was good enough to tie for 8th in the open out of 110 runs and split 1st in youth (with same person she tied with in open )
Here is her video. My camera wouldn't focus for the person recording but you get the idea.
https://youtu.be/jSdSDaTNm6M
THAT IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  |
|
| |
|
 I Want a "MAN"
Posts: 3610
Location: MD | Can you have her call me? I want to go from 5D to one 1D. LOL I bet she is on cloud 9! |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 495
Location: Washington | We both are! We had to get there early as I have one I'm taking for time runs and exposure and it didn't start til noon and she drew #90 in the draw, after 18 pee wees. Was a long day and she was wired the whole time. She's also very excited to cash her youth check today after school. lol
Maybe I can have her tell me her secret and I'll pm you! LOL! |
|
| |
When to bump a pee wee up? ***Updated***