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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 349
 
| So who all has this problem and what do you do?? I can practice properly and my horse feels great at home feels great in time onlys but when it comes to competing my mind flys out the window. It used to be that I would get nervous, but thats normal right? This last weekend I went to my first race in 3 months and I was realy excited because my horse felt great and for once I wasn't nervous. This time it was worse I lost my brain all of a sudden I over thought everything (ie exactly where do I put my hands what am I doing when do I rate SIMPLE THINGS I have known for years with out issues). Does any one else have this problem
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Veteran
Posts: 170
| Not sure how old you are.. But after being a very fierce competitor in my teens, having a baby and coming back at it a completely different young women, I have found that a beer or a drink really calms my nerves out before I run, lol. I just try to remember it's all for FUN. Unless you're making your house payments on your horse or trying for the top 15, you should have just enough nerves to sharpen your reflexes. Use the adrenaline to your advantage, harness it and VISUALIZE what your pattern will look like. Think smooth, smooth is fast! Enjoy the ride! I see a lot of people ride around with headphones to, you could try a pump up playlist and see if it helps you! |
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  Witty Enough
Posts: 2954
 
Location: CTX | Absolutely!! I can make the prettiest paterns when I do exhibitions... But as soon as it is a real run I just go blank as soon as we hit the ally.... Lately I have been trying to add speed, and I think we are going prettu fast... untill I see my time, and the video.... we are loping, and I pull him up way to early at every barrel...
If only I could let go of my control thing.... after 3 decades of English riding I try to control every step he makes... I know I need to trust him, but knowing and doing are 2 totally different things!!! |
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| People, just like horses, have to season their minds.
I have competed in enough sports since I was a little kid that now it is second nature ... I focus on one major thing with my mind, make the run, and do my best. There are some GREAT books out there written by sports people on confidence and focus during competition. I personally like John Wooden's take on life and basketball, there are some great ideas in several of his books. |
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
 
Location: Montana | It will come, or so my trainer says. :) But as of last season, by the end I was starting to remember some and do better. I completely space out and it takes me some time after I make my run to remember what happened, let alone going into the arena. If something went horribly wrong, I'll remember it right away, but otherwise it usually takes me a half hour to hour to remember what I did during my run! Watching videos of the run help.
What I find helps me is if before the race, I pick my "spots" that I'm running to, like Stockman Bank sign behind the first barrel, fence post behind the second barrel, bucking chute behind the third barrel, that helps me so much, because if I can ride to my "spot" and turn, then at least I have something to focus on, at least to start with. As I get better I can give myself more to focus on! :) |
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 Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | It takes time to actually think while you're running. I'm just now getting to that point. It helps for me to not think too much, just keep it simple, and don't watch anybody running before me. Just big deep breaths and think of it as practice.
One thing I started learning last year was how food really does have a big impact on how clearly you think under pressure. I make sure I eat plenty of protein every couple of hours and it's made a hug difference. Turkey has tryptophan in it and that seems to work the best for me.
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| Yep, I have your problem. I have found that acting like I am a professional helps. By this I mean, I walk with my shoulders back, head up and smiling. I walk with authority. In other words, I act like a winner. I am pleasant and say hello and smile at people as I walk past. I also try to go over my runs in my mind at home, I even sit in the saddle on a saddle stand and act it out. One time Wanda Bush told us to put our bridle on a chair and practice with our hands watching T.V. or when just sitting around. This has helped a lot. I still get really nervous, but I don't black out nearly as much. |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12841
| After being the one to beat for many years to being at the end of the 5D, it has been very humbling. I am doing everything that I can to improve my riding. It is truly lack of confidence. This is what has worked for me. First, I attended a clinic. Horsemanship skills are not a problem and my horses are not either so when I filled out the application, I wrote that I had confidence/rider issues. I started going to a gym to work out at least 3 times a week to improve core strength and balance. I started going to the little riding club and running exhibitions EVERY WEEK. I usually run one exhibition in barrels and one in poles. I go in there like I am running for the world championship. Just the fact that I "compete" every week end has helped me more than anything. My trainer has even said as you get older it is more and more important to go somewhere and compete every weekend. This is what has helped me.
I posted on here not long ago that I had run a 26 on poles and I knew where my mistakes were and I was going to take 2 seconds off my next pole run. Well, Saturday night I did that. I ran a 24. Perfect run. Next weekend is the real thing and I am going to catch another gear and knock off another second off. |
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 Duct Tape Can't Fix Stupid
Posts: 2749
Location: Warsaw,NY | yep, my brain falls out of my head as soon as I cross the start, and when i cross the finish line my brain returns
Edited by hezasmashnsixcess 2015-05-12 8:58 PM
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Formerly Horse
Posts: 4552
Location: TEXAS | I have this issue but it has gotten a lot better over the last year. I totally trust my mare because she works the same everytime so I don't have to think the ride over at all. After so many runs I have been able to put the small stuff out of mind because she is finished. Easier said than done but I think lots of runs and having a solid horse help a lot. Best of luck! |
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | I do this for sure! It gets worse if for any reason I am rushed or haven't been able to do my rituals. I am a very habitual person, and have been since I started playing basketball/volleyball in middle school. I have the same pre-race routine, just like I had the same pre-free throw routine, and the pre-serve routine. If any of that gets messed up - my head tends to go blank.
Can somebody just talk to Charmayne James about bottling some of her focus? Or whatever it is that she has? And Sherry Cervi too. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1062
Location: Probably On the Road to the Next Barrel Race! | ok, seriously...do this: find someone you trust and respect, and make a deal with them that you will reportback/tell/explain each part of your run to them,,,AFTER the run. I swear it works! You'll be amazed at how much you'll retain after making that committment. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 597
| You are NOT alone!!! Oh my gosh, I'm coming back from having two kids and doing the rodeo mom thing, I have a great horse and thank God great friends and a great trainer to tell me what the heck I'm doing or I wouldn't have a clue! My confidence is the problem, I had a bad wreck on a young horse a couple years ago and it's taking some time to get past it. I just take a minute when it's my drag, bow my head and say a short prayer. And like another poster said, I pick one thing, ie; keep my hands up, kick... And I just focus on it. I think the biggest thing that makes me confident is practicing for a purpose and knowing that I am as prepared as I can possibly be, that my horse is fit, I am fit, and I know that the only thing that gets in my way is me.
Good luck girl you are not alone!
Edited by wild_west 2015-05-12 10:58 PM
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