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I AM being nice
Posts: 4396
  
Location: MD | Round 1 is now in the books! It was super exciting to see so many first timers, new horses and familiar faces, both horse and human make their runs tonight! Unfortunately, some things don't change... I sure hope that the ground gets better for tomorrow, as I feel like it played a huge role in tonight's results. Congratulations to all of the girls for having made it and to Cassidy Kruse for having won not only the First Round, but on her very first Round at the NFR!
In running order:
Deb- I am thrilled to see Deb back at the NFR! I really like the looks of this horse. Deb came running from the back of the alley and I'm sure she felt as though she had enough momentum to get her to that first barrel just right. About three strides out, you saw her move her inside and set her horse up well. In the very next stride, as she dropped her hand, her horse simply followed and got a little flat. I'm sure that we'll see Deb keep her hand up and stick her inside foot into her horse a little harder tomorrow night. Riding across the pen halfway with only her right hand on the reins left Oscar on a right bend for a bit, but they got a pretty straight entrance into the second barrel. I felt like the turn wanted to have worked quite well, but the ground really didn't allow Oscar to set his hind end and come around. While a bit stiff through his head and neck at the third, overall, I felt they handled it well enough. I look for this pairing to become more solid by the day. From the videos in practice, I'm also excited to see Deb get on Bud Light at some point.
Jana- Hammer is a big, strong running son of a gun and it showed a bit tonight. I felt like this could have been a VERY nice run, but he just kind of ran through every point that he got to. Again, I think that if he could have gotten into the ground a bit better, it would have cleaned things up a bit. I also might want to see him being offered just a bit more support from both reins, in order to help him sit down a bit more squarely in preparation for his turns. You couldn't really have asked for much better lines between the barrels, he simply got out shape in the turns. It sure is nice to see this horse back in the pen and with more maturity than his last appearance.
Vickie- Obviously, we all would have loved to have seen Vickie on Blaze this year. That being said, it appears as though she's on a rather nice horse. I almost feel as though they both got to the first barrel a bit more quickly than they thought tonight. Vickie did her part in attempting to help the situation by giving a pull on her inside rein, but her horse just kind of shook it's head and got a bit out of shape as they finished the turn. Having been a bit overbent finishing the first, I might have liked to have seen Vickie get two handed and straighten her horse up going across the pen. On such a short pattern, it's very easy to get just a bit ahead of yourself. She got a good ways across the pen with just her right hand on the reins. As soon as she got two handed, she dropped her outside rein and went to the horn. That was all that it took for her horse to start the turn. Already being bent to the right just a bit at that point, the inside shoulder had nowhere to go, except in. Getting two handed one stride sooner and staying two handed one step longer would have left that barrel standing. I felt like she did a great job of leaving that downed barrel behind her and turning a great third. I look to see Vickie improve as the week goes on.
Jackie- I was a bit surprised to see Jet get up the pen passed the first barrel tonight. I thought that Jackie rode smart, didn't panic and just made sure that they didn't loop back into it. On another horse, I might think that she should be prepared for it to happen tomorrow, but I don't think he'll make that same mistake twice. From there on out, she did a great job of putting together a nice, solid run to start off the week. She moved him through the backside of the 3rd barrel with her seat in a very effective manner, ensuring that they left it standing. I look for Jackie to use tonight's solid run and placing as a springboard from which to build momentum for the rounds to come.
Michelle- Michelle and Slick made a very nice run. I felt like he just didn't like the ground. He got a bit caught up and took a bit of a dog trot step around the first and his hind end popped up out of the ground a bit more than normal at the second. His style does lend itself to being a bit more on his front end through the turn and his hind end sliding through, but he definitely lost a bit of ground there tonight. This pair had a phenomenal third barrel and I can't wait to see what they do the rest of the week.
Carley- This is such a fun horse to watch! Just super honest looking and very business like in it's runs. There was a bit of a stall in forward momentum on the backside of both the first and second barrel tonight. I don't know this team well enough to know if that is this horse's normal turning style, or if it was maybe feeling the ground a bit, but either way, it could have clocked a bit better had they maintained forward motion. I thought that they made three very nice turns, hit their points well and I loved the confidence with which Carley just sat up there, stayed out of her horse's way and let it do it's job.
Taylor- It appeared as though Bo was about to make yet another of his trademark, breathtaking first barrel turns tonight. Unfortunately, the ground just didn't hold him. I thought they recovered quite well, all things considered. Having had that fall, Bo's hip was definitely to the outside of the line that you would want to be on headed across the pen. I would have loved to have been able to see what Taylor's outside hand was doing as she approached the second barrel. As it was, getting her inside up onto his neck and trying to hold him straight simply wasn't enough and he started the turn just a half step too soon. A phenomenal third barrel from this team tonight capped off a run otherwise filled with disappointing moments. As they have shown before though, look for this pair to rebound well!
Cassidy- What a run! This NFR Rookie just came in with all of the confidence that having made it to the T&M should have given her! This horse ran hard and across the top of the ground. They maybe ran a little out of position leaving the first, but sure made up for it and got straight going across the pen. That allowed for them to set up an equally nice second barrel. I loved the little shake that Cassidy gave her outside rein setting up for the third. Never a pull, didn't break momentum at all. Just said "Alright now, there it is" and went on. What a way to start your first trip to Vegas!
Fallon- BabyFlo always just squeaks in there enough to get around the first. That almost didn't happen tonight. I might want to get just another foot, or two of pocket were I on the mare. Having gotten in there so tight, the mare really had no choice but to step off in order to have room enough to make the turn. Fallon pulled off quite the move to drop her reins and get them picked back up as BabyFlo was making that move to finish. Up to her fiery antics, the little mare was not wanting to be attentive to Fallon's hands at the second barrel tonight. That shaking of her head and running through the bridle got her out of position through her body at the start of the turn. Couple her being out of position with the unforgiving ground and the slip was inevitable. I was glad to see that they had such a nice third barrel tonight.
Nancy- Fuzz just looks like a joy to run. He follows Nancy's hands through a run so well. Watch as she goes to turn how she never has to apply any real pressure to the reins. If he's getting a bit close, she just floats her hand further up his neck and a bit higher in the air and gets the room that she needs. Three pretty turns for this pair, as always.
Sherry- Stingray has been in this pen enough to know exactly where everything is. Sherry rode her outside rein a bit to the first barrel tonight, ensuring that they didn't get in there just a bit too soon. A textbook ride from Sherry at all three barrels tonight and Stingray worked just about as well as you could want one to. I look for them to really clock well as they get on better ground.
Mary- This run could have gone in a way different manner had Mary not handled things so well. Again, the ground didn't allow Latte to get the hold that he was looking for at the first. Due to that, he got up the pen and almost looped back into it as he finished the turn. Mary leaned her upper body in, shifted her hips out and they got by. Even with that, they got things right and had a great approach and entry at the second barrel. Another slip at the backside of the second caused for another tense moment. Again, Mary's quick reaction time allowed her to make much the same move as she did at the first and once again, it worked. I loved that in neither instance did Mary try to handle him. She never broke momentum, left him his head to do his part and did her best to help the situation. Latte had a better read on the ground by the time he got to the third barrel and used himself much differently. I wouldn't normally praise a horse for floating up out of the ground in a turn, but in this case, he proved just what a smart horse he is.
Sarah= Unfortunately, Bling seemed to have found the same spot of ground that Taylor Jacob's horse did tonight. As she set for the turn, you see Bling's hind feet continue to slide forward, getting her out of shape. At the same time, the front end was already initiating the turn. As soon as she got traction again, she dug in and pushed off. Sadly, that drove her ribcage right into the barrel. Sarah lifted her inside leg and di all that she could, but the trajectory was all wrong. Sarah is tough and she won't let that get to her. She'll come back tomorrow night running just as hard. You certainly couldn't have asked for a nicer second, or third barrel.
Lisa- This pair never disappoints! In years past, Louis has seemingly needed a run, or two in this pen to really become as fluid and snappy in his runs as he is in later rounds. I'm thinking not so much this year. I think tonight was a great run and it will only get better from here. There's really not much to say about this pair beyond that their runs are something that we should all aspire to.
Callie- I love seeing Dillon back at the T&M with yet another rider. It's even more fun to see the different ways that each person has ridden him in the confines of this little building. Callie did a great job of keeping herself very square, keeping the outside of her body upright and open and committing to riding all the way up into the hole. Callie's use of a high, opening rein did a very effective job of leading Dillon onto a perfect line all the way to the backsides without reining off, or getting him out of position in any way. I look forward to seeing what this team is going to do!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krjHz-_bA_o
Edited by WrapSnap 2015-12-04 2:13 AM
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 331
Location: Loma Linda, CA | Wow! I look forward to your analysis! Maybe I should send you some of my runs lol!
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Member
Posts: 27
| Thanks so much for posting! Very nice of you! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
| This is why we were so excited you were going to do this again this year!. No bashing or trashing - just technical analysis. Thank you.
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| Great analysis, Andy. This makes it a better experience for this couch rider. |
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 Hawty & Nawty
Posts: 20424
| What a great job. Thank you. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 754
Location: Arkansas | Great job! I think you could probably charge for analyzing videos :) |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 617
| rodeochick382 - 2015-12-04 6:21 AM
Great job! I think you could probably charge for analyzing videos :)
I second that! Great eye! |
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 Saint Stacey
| I have to somewhat disagree on Fallon's run. She sliced first which caused her to come off. On second, Babyflo was wanting to turn too soon because of the bad line she had to take because of first so Fallon held her off with the outside rein. Whenever you tip the nose to the outside, it caueses the ribcage to follow and creates a reverse arch. It made Babyflo mad, hence the head shake and stumble as she had to quickly get the correct arch back in the ribs in order to turn. |
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Regular
Posts: 78
Location: Where the Jasmine & Magnolia Grow | Phxbarrel - 2015-12-04 3:11 AM Wow! I look forward to your analysis! Maybe I should send you some of my runs lol!
Seriously Andy, I believe you should really consider it. Bet, there are a lot of barrel racers that would love to get your professional opinion on their runs.
Thanks for doing the WNFR Barrel Racing Analysis again!  |
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 Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | Andy, I nominate you to be the commentary person at the NFR when these girls run - great analysis! Much better than "she didn't push him past it". |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| I like to go back and watch the runs after I read your post. I see some of what you do but miss the little things. I would love to see another angle of Cassidy's run, the camera did not get on her till she was almost at the first. |
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Member
Posts: 43
| I thought it was the best opening round of team roping in years......... |
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Veteran
Posts: 197
Location: Where God has placed me | Excellent! Looking forward to 9 more! |
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Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| TO Cookie Monster - 2015-12-04 8:15 AM I thought it was the best opening round of team roping in years.........
Definitely was |
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 Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | TO Cookie Monster - 2015-12-04 8:15 AM I thought it was the best opening round of team roping in years.........
Agreed!
I also wanted to add that watching Cassidy hustle that horse through was sure exciting-she made it look fast and was so aggressive!
Thanks for the commentary! |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| Well done Wrap!!! I was watching Carley's horse and thought it looked faster but I didnt notice the lost momentum after reading your analysis!!! I hope the ground improves a little but it was better than last year in the beginning. No doubt they will make some adjustments. I am still so impressed with how well Fuzz stands up on anything. He never seems to struggle with the ground. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Louie, Dillon, Stringray and Tayor/Bo, Latta looked awesome. They really all made some stinging runs. I think Louie and Dillon are going to be making lots of money |
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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | AWESOME analysis. I'm gonna have to watch it again now. |
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  Expert
Posts: 1584
Location: Central Texas | Thanks for doing such a detailed analysis! Fascinating! |
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