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Veteran
Posts: 134
 
| I am trying to develop a game plan for myself each and every time I start the pattern, so that when I am actually doing a run I am mentally prepared and have a routine. I have been taking barrel/horsemanship levels for a year or so and doing very small local playdays to build some confidence. I finally progressed enough that my trainer helped me find a safe finished 3/4d barrel horse at the end of last year. Now, we are finally ready to go to jackpots and start adding speed, but when I want to do an actual run, my mind just spaces. Even at a fast lope, I can think of the steps and get through the pattern half way decent for my level, but when it is time to go all out, I just blank.
So, my question is: do you have a routine in the alleyway that you do that keeps your mind focused so you don't just space? I really don't think it is a nervous issue as I do a ton of public speaking and I am not out to win, I am out to do better than I did on my last run. It is purely a mental thing that I am trying to work through, hopefully quickly, so I can continue to progress as this problem is just killing me. I would really appreciate any tips. | |
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 Expert
Posts: 5293
| I do! I sit there and put my hand on my horses neck and imagine my run in my head and pretend my vision goes to my horse! Works every time. | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534
Location: Ohio girl moved to PA | I do! ill sit at the fence or walk my horse around just talking to him before we are called. I'll focus on one thing/goal. Say, getting around first a little quicker/better. Ill just put my focus on that first barrel spot and go from there. I for one hardly have time to think during a pattern so i try to focus on one thing untill i get around and its time to focus on the next thing. If your horse knows his job, then just let him work! dont overthink it! | |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
 
| I breath in through my mouth, out through my nose and say a little prayer.
Honestly- what you’re going through is super super common, especially when starting out. Do you set goals for each run? Such as I want to run all the way to my spot on the 1st barrel, or I’m not going to drop my hand, I’m going to sit and look, use my outside leg - just one thing you can focus on.
I found that to be very helpful when I was starting vs just to make a run - I still set goals for what I want to accomplish in a run. I believe time is secondary to smooth, consistent, precise runs, especially when starting out.
Plus, it gives you something other than time to base your runs against and build on. | |
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Regular
Posts: 82
| Find something simple to do before you go in the ally. It could be tapping your horn 3 times, jiggling your feet for 5 seconds, fixing your hat, slapping each leg twice, etc. just find something simple that you do EVERY time. Do it in practice before a run and before an actual run. Basically you just want a routine that you do before every run. It also helps to envision your run in your head. I don’t mean just “oh we turned right now time for two lefts” I mean like really visualize your run. Picture what your going to see during the run, what your going to FEEL (physically and emotionally) during the run, and how you are going to react during the run. Take your time and really “ride every step” of the run in your head. | |
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 Veteran
Posts: 194
Location: Texas | I walk my horse in circles and flex him while I am thinking about my best runs... not the run I am about to have, but my best runs iv had :) I try to let muscle memory take over .......... | |
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| Couple of suggestions:
1. make sure you practice exactly like you want your run to go, even at a walk. Over exaggerate your actions at super slow speeds so that your muscle memory takes over going faster.
2. get someone to video you so that you can see what you are doing. Or watch videos of pros or good riders in your area. Compare.
3. Visualize your run while you are sitting there waiting to go in. Close your eyes and make a run in your head! | |
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 Reaching for the stars....
Posts: 12708
| My first trainer gave me one great lesson:
It's just another run. Doesn't matter how big a show, how small a show, or who you're standing next to in the warmup. It doesn't matter if it's being broadcast. It's just another run.
So, if you practice like you want to run, and visualize in whatever way works for you, and remember to breathe, it's just another run.
Easy for the big time trainers, not so easy for the rest of us, but it did help me stop being so nervous. | |
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 Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | Yup, I make myself SMILE before I go into the alley. That's to remind myself to relax and HAVE FUN. That's what barrel racing is all about. | |
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 Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | I have a slightly different pre-run routine for each horse. On my solid, finished, 100% honest & consistent rodeo horse, I step on, band my feet, put my over & under through its string of rubber bands and around the back of the cantle without being under it or the saddle pad, shove my hat down super tight, flip my hair behind my shoulders, make sure my stick whip is banded to my hand, get my reins on top of his mane, basically double check that everything is where it needs to be, pat him on the neck and whisper something like "You got this Pig/Squirrel/whatever furry animal I'm calling him at the moment" (poor horse has many nicknames) and I run through what we're going to do in my mind. Usually with Chance, I'm focused on getting him to run a straight line down the alley and not cut his first barrel pocket off. Everything else seems to take care of itself on him. When they call our name, I start bumping my feet on his sides, smooching to him, and yet holding him back. I want him to rip the reins out of my hands because he's so eager to take off, and the longer I hold him, the more likely that is to happen.
My 2nd & 3rd rodeo horses are much different. I can't be nearly so wound up on them. I step on, band my feet etc., and calmly pet their neck until we're up. One is pretty hot and the other was blown up at the gate. The previously blown up horse always has my fiance standing beside him petting his face and walking us to the gate, but my hot horse and Matt don't really get along so Matt has to stay away when I'm on him. Clifford (the hot one) is one that I always focus on being SMOOTH and relaxed. If he focuses his mind and works, he'll clock. We don't blast into first because he doesn't handle a lot of speed going to it, and I have to concentrate on how far I'm going to ride before I say "Hey" and drop my hand to start our turn. Ride too far and he can go down the fence, but quit too early and you drag the barrel. I've gotten pretty handy with the leg lift LOL. My insecure previously blown up horse is EASY to run so I just think about DRIVING HIM ALL THE WAY. He's the ratiest thing I've ever sat on so my pre-run thoughts are usually about how much can I kick, whip, smooch, hustle him between barrels. He's only 14 hands so the leg lift is MUCH more challenging than on 15.3 Cliff.
I walk the pattern on these guys more than anything else, and that helps me create muscle memory for runs. If we walk it and I drop my hand at the right spot enough times, it becomes a habit and I'll do it right automatically. That's probably why things are so easy and comfortable on Chance (the super solid reliable rodeo horse). It just takes time! | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 602
| If I can, I will walk up to the gate (on foot) and visualize my run. I will stand there and look at what i have to do until the nerves goes away. Then i get on my horse and warm up. While warming up I will always stop in a corner and say a little prayer for myself and other barrel racers. As I enter the alley or gate, ill talk to my dad or sing the song that is playing. This helps my breathing. When i enter the gate, I keep it simple, I will focus on what i need to do with the first barrel and the other 2 come naturally. | |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 575
| OhMax - 2018-02-16 5:24 AM
I breath in through my mouth, out through my nose and say a little prayer.
Honestly- what you’re going through is super super common, especially when starting out. Do you set goals for each run? Such as I want to run all the way to my spot on the 1st barrel, or I’m not going to drop my hand, I’m going to sit and look, use my outside leg - just one thing you can focus on.
I found that to be very helpful when I was starting vs just to make a run - I still set goals for what I want to accomplish in a run. I believe time is secondary to smooth, consistent, precise runs, especially when starting out.
Plus, it gives you something other than time to base your runs against and build on.
I do the same. I pick one thing to focus on during a run that I really want to execute. Most of the time it's to relax going into my first barrel and not let my feet die out. I always feel good about my runs no matter the time if I can accomplish my goal. Plus I feel like it keeps my brain clear and I'm able to think the entire time during my run, and remember what happened when I come out! | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
| I always check my approach to the first from the alley. On foot - before or during the barrel race (even if I can only get in the stands above)or on my horse during a drag. Warm ups are done away from the pen, and I usually try to keep a horse moving until run time unless that really upsets them. I will walk them around or hand walk if needed. I try to give myself plenty of time to tack up and double check I have everything I need. I keep telling myself that my job is to be as smooth as possible and give my horse the support it needs. I can't control my time or the ground conditions, only how I prepare and position. If I try to go win a barrel race, I often over ride - so I focus on smooth with hustle. | |
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 Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | I count down one or two runners before me and breathe between each number.
10 -Breath In
9 -Breath out
and so on and so forth.
When I get to one I close my eyes and focus on keeping my seat around the turns. I tell myself where to look and walk in to the alleyway. I focus on my first barrel and when I snap around the backside I start focusing on the second. One barrel at a time.  | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 898
Location: Idaho | lonely va barrelxr - 2018-02-17 7:30 AM
My first trainer gave me one great lesson:
It's just another run. Doesn't matter how big a show, how small a show, or who you're standing next to in the warmup. It doesn't matter if it's being broadcast. It's just another run.
So, if you practice like you want to run, and visualize in whatever way works for you, and remember to breathe, it's just another run.
Easy for the big time trainers, not so easy for the rest of us, but it did help me stop being so nervous.
Basically this ^
I'm a little different from other riders, but I am an extremely timid and quiet rider. Whenever I tried to hustle and be an aggressive rider, I'd always screw something up. So instead, my trainer had always told me to -not- hang out by the gate and watch other riders.. instead I need to be off in the warm up arena, somewhere nearby and just walk around my horse to focus on me. So that's what I do.
I keep off by myself with just me and my horse, just quietly walk around in big circles, with me telling myself to simply just ride my horse. It doesn't matter if it's a run for money, a buckle, a playday, gymkhana.. whatever. I'm going in there and I am going to ride my horse, like I always do. This works for me. When I hear my name being called 2 people before me, that's when I start to walk over to the gate and it's time to put my game face on. Again, I just tell myself to ride. So by the time I get there, the two runs went by and I just walk on in and I'm ready to go.
It might seem simple.. but this really just works for me to keep my nerves in check. Because really.. if you go in there, sit too soon and hit a barrel. Is it the end of the world? Run past a barrel, okay, you lost a second. Since you are just started.. you need to continue to build your confidence, learn to have fun with it and just ride! Have confidence in yourself that you know what you are doing :)
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Veteran
Posts: 134
| Thank you everyone so much for responding with great advice!!! I am excited to start trying some of these things at my next race.  | |
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Expert
Posts: 2122
Location: The Great Northwest | All good thoughts. Like said confidence and how to react when the unexpected happens before the gate or during a run. Practice tons of practice doing perfect patterns this brings experience on the how to correct and to respond when something goes unexpected. All builds confidence. Rome wasn't build in a day! | |
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 The Bling Princess
Posts: 3411
Location: North Dakota | I use to blank out completely. My legs would go numb, my head felt fuzzy, I'd lose feeling in my fingertips. I was a total basket case. Then I took on the mentality that I was there for my horse. There not to compete with anyone else but me. There to find out where my preparation had got me and if there were errors, what to work on until the next race. When you go for "yourself" and your horse that pressure/nerves all goes away. Also, and some may disagree, but only go the speed at which you can think. If this means you enter up and trot the pattern because that is mentally where you are at then do it. It certainly wont hurt your horse and it will be a confidence builder for you. | |
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boon
Posts: 3
| Pray!!!
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alleyway mentality for rider