|
|
 Three in a Bikini
Posts: 2035
 
| This winter I have put a lot of thought into self improvement and things I can do to be better prepared for the rodeo season. One thing I would like to work on is putting some fire into my riding style.
Now unfortunately... I really have no idea how to do this??
I bought this horse finished a little over a year ago, and while I am very excited about the things we have accomplished together I have successfully dragged him down half a second thanks to my inability to hustle him along. While I feel that we are a super smooth team, it is almost like a vacation for him to be running with me in comparison to his previous owners.
How do you become more aggressive on the pattern? Drills? Want to? Magic?
I appreciate any advice you have to offer!
Most recent run:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_Hq1CS0Z6I
Summer run, (same arena):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsPqhSW_Hp8
*Adding this run because I feel like I did a better job hustling, but this was towards the beginning of my ownership and I am not sure why I got worse at this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw3xUZIZakg |
|
| |
|
 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| You look so nervous! You look like you're riding scared. Ask yourself, "What am I afraid of?"
Why don't you focus on a really good workout program, like Couch 25K, learning free weights, etc. The reason being, everyone needs to be stronger, and you need a really good reason to be able to relax your frame, promise yourself you deserve this!!, and get in there and gun him for his life. Get him into really phenomenal shape, and do everything you can to make yourself believe that you deserve to make nice runs and have that 'fire'!
Every time I run down the alley, in the warm up pen and holding pen, I'm reminding myself that I desperately deserve to make an awesome run, and to just let the chips fall where they may. Down the alley I'm talking to myself about getting my horse to their spots as fast as they'll get there.
If I don't feel that I or my horse are really prepared to be there, then I won't gun for it, and I'll just hang back and work on my mental focus, form, and address my issues in the practice pen or on the ride home.
He looks like a really honest horse, and I bet he doesn't need anything but your mental clarity and physical timing. |
|
| |
|
Three in a Bikini
Posts: 2035
| classicpotatochip - 2016-01-07 7:16 PM
You look so nervous! You look like you're riding scared. Ask yourself, "What am I afraid of?"
Why don't you focus on a really good workout program, like Couch 25K, learning free weights, etc. The reason being, everyone needs to be stronger, and you need a really good reason to be able to relax your frame, promise yourself you deserve this!!, and get in there and gun him for his life. Get him into really phenomenal shape, and do everything you can to make yourself believe that you deserve to make nice runs and have that 'fire'!
Every time I run down the alley, in the warm up pen and holding pen, I'm reminding myself that I desperately deserve to make an awesome run, and to just let the chips fall where they may. Down the alley I'm talking to myself about getting my horse to their spots as fast as they'll get there.
If I don't feel that I or my horse are really prepared to be there, then I won't gun for it, and I'll just hang back and work on my mental focus, form, and address my issues in the practice pen or on the ride home.
He looks like a really honest horse, and I bet he doesn't need anything but your mental clarity and physical timing.
Thank you PotatoChip! I love your insight.
I agree watching my videos I feel like I do not have a "winning mindset".
I don't go into the arena thinking... I feel like I will be a ho-hum rider today, but I just don't have "it" right now. 
I have started running miles again and I definitely need to get him into shape when it warms up. Maybe I will read something motivational during my down time in the arena. |
|
| |
|
 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| I have 3 daughters, all had 1d horses. One was having the same issue you are, her sister made a run on him and ran #10 out of 400 plus runners. It was still a very quiet and smooth run. She said she just thought "fast" and sent him that energy in the alley, you had to send him hard. Good luck-you can do it! |
|
| |
|
 The BHW Book Worm
Posts: 1768
 
| In the video that you felt like you had more hustle in you look allot more confident. Your body position is better ,you don't look like your just hanging on for the ride, your helping your horse more by being with him so he is responding by working harder I'm thinking I totally agree you just need to ride with a winning additude and your mind in the arena. |
|
| |
|
Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| I thought thought about it, also wanted to add;
Are you sure the saddle you're riding is helping you get down into the turns? A saddle should be supportive and offer good balance, and a safe, secure deep seat. When I've got a Triple Crown or a CJ or saddle that was set up by someone with a different body type than me, I'm perched above it like a monkey riding a border collie. When I'm in my Lynn saddles, the difference is absolutely night and day. I thought for a long time that it was my riding, but it turns out my saddle was doing me no favors whatsoever. Just a thought... |
|
| |
|
 It's not my fault I'm perfect
Posts: 13739
Location: Where the long tails flow, ND | Do you have the ability to go to any clinics? They are a useful tool to make you feel confident, you and your horse. You look scared to me also, especially going to 1st.
Do you have a friend that could 'hustle' you at home? Make you really get up and 'send him' to 1st? I bet you'd have a better finish to that barrel too!
It takes time ,especially with a new horse, but he is super nice and you ride well. Now trust yourself and your pony and go for it!
ETA: yes like Potato Chip said, be sure your saddle isn't hindering you !
Edited by SmokinGirlie 2016-01-08 8:11 AM
|
|
| |
|
Three in a Bikini
Posts: 2035
| Thank you!
Truth be told I hate this saddle for myself. It fits this horse well, but believe me it is not my favorite to use. This could give me a reason to go shopping.
 |
|
| |
|
 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | Does this horse scare you a little? My newest horse does, he has that attitude of, "hang on mom, I'm not stopping for you!!" And to be honest i start thinking of every terrible thing that could happen and stop riding and I kind of just sit up there and coast.
Eta: for some reason or another I'm half terrified of my horses while I'm racing. I have never once been an actual aggressive rider..ever. And your first video reminded me a little of myself. The more I got to know my newest horse, the more scared I was getting of the 'what ifs' The last video you posted of your runs you looked great, you had hustle, your body wasn't saying "whoa". The first couple videos though, you might have been thinking hurry hurry.. But you dropped to your horn early and your body language wasn't excited and in a hustle type of mode. You have a great center of balance and seat... Your horse has your back... I agree with others maybe start trotting him in, or carry a crop of you aren't much of a kicker. Listen to some music that pumps you up, and have so much fun! Seriously don't get down on yourself! You look like you have a really great mount to learn with. Also, a wise old farrier of mine always said, "It takes at LEAST one year to ever really get with a horse... Until then you're just takin him out for brunch to get a feel." And I absolutely believe it.
Edited by Crowned Image 2016-01-08 11:46 AM
|
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1304
| I agree with some of the above! It looks like you're hustling after the second but not really hustling into the arena! But I think you all look good otherwise  Maybe start a small lope before you get to the straight stretch in the alley so you can just push him up and not have to go from zero to 100 if that makes sense? Just a suggestion, might not be for you all or how you wanna do it. And of course changing your mindset will help. You guys look good so you definitely don't need to be insecure or think of yourself as an "ok" rider! |
|
| |
|
Three in a Bikini
Posts: 2035
| Crowned Image - 2016-01-08 9:05 AM
Does this horse scare you a little?
Eta: for some reason or another I'm half terrified of my horses while I'm racing. I have never once been an actual aggressive rider..ever. And your first video reminded me a little of myself. The more I got to know my newest horse, the more scared I was getting of the 'what ifs'
This is a GOOD assessment!
My horse is wonderful but we have had some bumps in the road that more than likely make me tense up...
Nothing so traumatic I cant figure out how to loosen up a bit!
|
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 672
| Do you mentally prepare yourself before a run? I’m talking visualizing how you’re going to hustle him and push him all the way. I have to do this roping, otherwise I’m just out p*ssing around. My horse knows it too – he is a pro caliber heading horse, but when I ride him, if I don’t hustle – we get outran by slow steers!! I have to mentally prepare for every run and think and “see” how I will get out and hustle. Force any doubt and negative thoughts out and just focus on your run and visualizing your hustle. Trust me – it works!!
Any my husband always wonders why I’m exhausted after a roping, my poor brain has to work harder than me!!
|
|
| |
|
  Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | Riding in 2 point and getting really good at it helps me with confidence & just getting with my horse. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1857
| Even though you might be going slower, your pattern now looks better than when you first got him... Get out a breeze him with one barrel, set it way, way, way down the arena or field or whatever you have access to and try to get him to run as fast as he can to it and back home. Might help with you confidence and open him up more without going through the pattern to much. |
|
| |
|
Three in a Bikini
Posts: 2035
| FlyingJT - 2016-01-08 1:18 PM
Even though you might be going slower, your pattern now looks better than when you first got him... Get out a breeze him with one barrel, set it way, way, way down the arena or field or whatever you have access to and try to get him to run as fast as he can to it and back home. Might help with you confidence and open him up more without going through the pattern to much.
Ooooh I will have to try this one out! |
|
| |
Folks on-line