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Regular
Posts: 57
| So this is going to be my first rodeo on my mare, and my first one in about 6 years.. I'm so worried that we aren't prepared enough and my nerves are going to freak her out and just ruin her for rodeos. Any tips on calming nerves?? I just want it to be a good clean pattern. I don't expect to place, but just to get us going and get some more experience.
And on top of that I'll be on vacation for almost a week before the rodeo.. Sounding bad right?? Lol
Suggestions and advice would be much appreciated :) |
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 Expert
Posts: 1857
  
| Don't go if you don't expect to place.... Never go into anything with the expectation to fail. No matter if it is the first time or only for experience. Go in with the mindset that you are able to win! As far as calming nerves, not gonna really happen but a good trick to minimize the effect on your horse is to warm up and then get off until your about to run, about 2 horses before. |
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Regular
Posts: 57
| Thank you! I will definitely change my mindset! You're absolutely right.. There's no point in going if I'm not going to give it my all. I'll try just holding her until right before. Thank you! |
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  Fact Checker
Posts: 16575
Location: Displaced Iowegian | Just before you go down that alley, take a deep breath and visualize your most perfect practice pattern.......take another deep breath and ride like you can win it......Good Luck! |
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 Jr. Detective
Location: Beggs, OK | You must be entered in that one that I've heard about where they take the people who don't place and shoot them in the middle of the arena....It's awful.
You are braver than me!  |
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Regular
Posts: 79
| good luck to you! i saw this message on Pinterest today ... If you don't see yourself as a winner, then you cannot perform as a winner ... go chase some cans |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1062
Location: Probably On the Road to the Next Barrel Race! | ...learned this in yoga...it is a physiological fact that you can breathe in such a way as to slow your heart rate, which in turn calms nerves, clears head. Breathe in to the count of 6-8 seconds, then HOLD BREATH count of four, then exhale to count of 7. You'd be surprised. I also like the girls advice about not getting on till 2 before you ride...sounds smart. I somewhat disagree with those who say you should run to win it....that depends on how prepared you truly are for that level of a race...after 6 years, you may want to concentrate on being clean and correct. The killer/win instinct will come back quickly if you continue to make good, clean, correct runs. I just know that if I personally put the win pressure on when I'm not ready, I may make mistakes. Good luck! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1062
Location: Probably On the Road to the Next Barrel Race! | rachellyn80 - 2015-08-11 3:53 PM You must be entered in that one that I've heard about where they take the people who don't place and shoot them in the middle of the arena....It's awful.
You are braver than me!
rolling on the floor!!! Thanks, I needed a good laugh! |
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Expert
Posts: 2531
Location: WI | Ditto on the breathing! If you need to hand walk her until you need to get on. Good Luck!! |
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Regular
Posts: 57
| Thanks everyone! I will definitely be doing the breathing and hand walking. My biggest fear is that we'll be running to the first and she's going to get spooked and stop dead in her tracks... It's happened before, but luckily we weren't running. This could be very interesting!!
I was working in the arena last night, and had someone telling me to do different things, and I need all the help I can get, don't get me wrong! But trying those things just didn't seem to work for us, and then I almost doubt how we've been doing it now, like maybe I'm doing it all wrong. I guess I ride with my hands up too high on her neck instead of keeping them low. So I have to try to work that into how we do things. I'm getting more and more nervous! LOL |
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Expert
Posts: 1857
| rachellanae - 2015-08-12 11:54 AM
Thanks everyone! I will definitely be doing the breathing and hand walking. My biggest fear is that we'll be running to the first and she's going to get spooked and stop dead in her tracks... It's happened before, but luckily we weren't running. This could be very interesting!!
I was working in the arena last night, and had someone telling me to do different things, and I need all the help I can get, don't get me wrong! But trying those things just didn't seem to work for us, and then I almost doubt how we've been doing it now, like maybe I'm doing it all wrong. I guess I ride with my hands up too high on her neck instead of keeping them low. So I have to try to work that into how we do things. I'm getting more and more nervous! LOL
you might be surprised. It seems that the faster they are running the less they "look" for things. You do what works for you and the horse, there's many paths to the same result |
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Holy Fruit Loops!
Posts: 1708
Location: Colorado | Go, have FUN! Stop over analyzing and just enjoy.
Then the first is over and you can move on.
karen |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 600
Location: Oklahoma & Texas | Don't over think it and worry yourself into a mistake...something made you enter so go for it! It'll be a great learning experience ....take those deep breaths and clear your head before running...sometimes a stiff drink helps lol |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Good luck, have fun, and let us know how y'all do! |
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Regular
Posts: 57
| BBrewster - 2015-08-12 10:40 PM
Don't over think it and worry yourself into a mistake...something made you enter so go for it! It'll be a great learning experience ....take those deep breaths and clear your head before running...sometimes a stiff drink helps lol
Haha that might be just what I need! You're right I'm probably over analyzing everything.. Thanks for the advice
Edited by rachellanae 2015-08-13 8:17 AM
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