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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 614
 
| I am not a bad riding and I am not a great rider. At a tough barrel race I am top of the 4D but my horse at a tough barrel race with a better rider can win in the 2D.
I want to be the rider that can put her in the 2D. I am average weight but not in shape wondering if working out would help. I don't ride agrressively to each barrel but don't hit barrels either. My problem seems to be not getting as much run out of her than the other rider. Any tips to make me ride harder and make my horse take me serious? Tips to make me focus to make me ride harder? Any advice I would appreciate so much.
Last but not least are there any trainers that you know of that will let you haul to their place and work with you for a few days especially one that is good at getting you more aggresive. I am in the TN area but can haul around to surrounding states maybe. I looked for a clinic but couldn't find one. Thanks! |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
  
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | I would highly recommend lessons as well as improving your strength, especially in your core. What part of TN? It's best if you can take lessons regularly for a period of time. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 926
| How long have you been running barrels and how long have you and had your horse?
I'd suggest a clinic, but in the meantime have someone video you and watch what you do compared to others that ride more aggressively. However, if you've not been running your horse more than a few months, it could just take a bit of time for each of you to be confident in the other.
Good Luck. |
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  Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | As far as riding... I think the more confident you feel the more agressive you ride. So work on things that build your confidence.
Riding english & doing a lot of riding two point helps.
Working out with weights builds strength and helps with confidence too. |
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 Playing the Waiting Game
Posts: 2304
| Fairweather - 2014-06-09 8:47 AM As far as riding... I think the more confident you feel the more agressive you ride. So work on things that build your confidence.
Riding english & doing a lot of riding two point helps.
Working out with weights builds strength and helps with confidence too.
Is what I was going to suggest... English riding helps so much in barrel racing. You will be amazed how much more confidence you'll have after a couple months. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 602
| Seems like you dont have a feel for your horse's true speed. Go breeze the horse, you would be surprised how stiff and tense you are in the saddle when you add speed. Keep doing it till you are relaxed in the saddle. Then work on transitions.... Lope in big circles, transition down to a slower speed and a smaller cirlce, then hustle your horse out of the smaller circle. Focus on your body position, hands, feet, and cues. Dont hold your breath when you make transitions  |
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 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | I totally agree that it's all about confidence! That just comes with more riding, trying new things, new disciplines, stepping out of your comfort zone. Get on every horse you can. Take lessons from dressage, reining, or cutting trainers if you can.
Some things you could try on your own horse: riding bareback, do this enough to where you're comfortable at all gaits, it helps with balance and strength
roping, you'd be amazed how much roping can challenge your riding abilities
Pole Bending
Breezing, just to help you get the feel of riding your horse aggressively without worrying about the barrels |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 614
| Thanks so much for the replies. I have been barrel racing for years but this horse has taken some getting use to. She has not always had a good pattern and I tried to make it better before the speed now it is like I don't know how to get her speed. I am going to exercise and I use to ride english so I can go back there to. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 614
| spitzh - 2014-06-09 9:37 AM Seems like you dont have a feel for your horse's true speed. Go breeze the horse, you would be surprised how stiff and tense you are in the saddle when you add speed. Keep doing it till you are relaxed in the saddle. Then work on transitions.... Lope in big circles, transition down to a slower speed and a smaller cirlce, then hustle your horse out of the smaller circle. Focus on your body position, hands, feet, and cues. Dont hold your breath when you make transitions
I think you hit on something here. She seems like she is flying and then when they announce my time I am like what. We are faster than we were last fall but I seem stuck. |
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