Other than lessons and clinics, what are some tips when you have stepped up onto a faster horse? So far my brain is having a hard time adjusting to going that fast! I have only made a few practice runs on this horse, so I realize it's still very early with a new pony.  Thanks!

DONT OVER THINK IT!!!!! 
Been there. Done that. They say it takes a year to get with one and I believe it. 

I let others opinions of me riding a higher caliber horse get to me so bad that I almost quit. After almost a year of running her, we were clocking in the 1D. They have to get to know you as much as your figuring them out. 

I agree 100%!

It's really just a timing thing with you and the horse. Give it time and don't let others put you down. 

Zan has been Mr Consistent for 10+ seasons in the 3D. We win a lot of checks.

The rocket mare ran 1/2D. It was always very challenging swapping from one to the other. However, they were both trained by the same trainer so had the same basic mechanics in their runs.

Love runs like a DTF and was trained by a different trainer. Plus it has been 3 seasons since I've been on a fast horse. I do ok if I run her first and then Zan, but I fumble, or go braindead, or something, if they draw up in the other order.

I'm thinking of entering her in classes and entering Zan as an add on this season. I hate the idea of always riding late in a show since I run out of energy generally by 4 on a show day. But it's just Zan that I'd have to ride tired, and with him I could probably throw away the reins after the 2st barrel and do as well or better than with them. No thinking required except to get his nose going to the 1st.

I should say, the 3D horse is gone. So only concerned about running 1 and he's a lot faster. He is willing to wait on me to an extent so he's a very good boy.  But I want to ride him to his ability! :)

The only way you are going to learn how to become a 1D rider is just keep at it.  Have the confidence to just go after it. You will never learn the balance and timing without just going after it.

My husband is going through this right now since he's running my two rodeo horses this summer. His own horses are nice in their own right but they are doing good to hit the bottom of the 2D at a big race and I've got one who can be in the 1D money at big races plus the second horse can win 2D checks and hit the 1D at the big stuff.

He's having to try and concentrate on 1 or 2 things each run. Friday it was approaching the first barrel correctly. Saturday it was keeping hands down lower on the neck, and Sunday it was getting off the saddle horn after 1st so he could drive the horse across the pen.

It really helps him that the horse he ran over the weekend (my top rodeo horse and a past Barrel Bash 1D average champion) will ease off the speed a little bit until he is asked for it. They ran in the middle of the 3D at the start of the weekend and got 2nd in the 3D on their last run, still with some bobbles and room to improve. I fully expect that by the end of the summer, they'll be at the top of the 2D at big races and running in the 1D money at any smaller stuff (if I let that horse run at anything small LOL).

I like to review video - with someone if you need a sharper eye - and pick out one or 2 things to work on going into the next race.

I’ve also been spending time at the gym working on my own fitness level and that is paying off in more ways than 1.  A 1D run is not a walk in the park for most people, core strength is incredibly important to stay with them.  Even if you’re not behind, if you’re struggling to stay with them, they may be checking off ever so slightly to not lose you out the back end - which is awfully nice of them.  

It doesn’t take much to make up a second of time.

It is a tough transition---I do not consider myself to be a 1D rider but I have ran and won on quite a few 1D horses but they are ones that I have started and we progressed together. I absolutely know that I could not just jump on a 1D horse and the horse run in the 1D---not gonna happen. SO---what I am trying to say id give it time, don't push too hard and it will come.

You will get there, give yourself time and it will happen