|
|
boon
Posts: 1
| Haveing a hard time getting back in the saddle after some health issues. Ive gained a little weight and am about 180# right now (5'9") and i feel so bad about even going to a barrel race because im afriad to face people in this new body and while im not at my best. My horses are in fantasstic shape and condition and ready to perform but now that ive been off for a while, im a bit behind my horses. I just am afraid to get in the arena and take my runs at my pace and have people judge me for it or judge my horses. I have been riding at home and gaining back my strength and confidence but now its time to get back on the road and im so afraid. And people dont know what ive been thru and will probly just think im someone who doesnt know anything about the sport or care about conditioning or that i "suck" or whatever they may think. I just need to get back at it...How do you overcome all this? I was a great barrel racer and always in the money prior to my health decline and now going back in front of people as an average and not so confident rider...thats so hard. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1409
 
Location: Oklahoma | Change your focus You are focusing too much on yourself. Don't mean it mean but it makes a world of difference when you change what you focus. you are focusing on yourself negativity which we have all done. Focus on the positive did you do your homework at home? |
|
| |
|
 Born not Made
Posts: 2931
 
Location: North Dakota | kwgrl16 - 2016-05-03 1:24 PM Haveing a hard time getting back in the saddle after some health issues. Ive gained a little weight and am about 180# right now (5'9") and i feel so bad about even going to a barrel race because im afriad to face people in this new body and while im not at my best. My horses are in fantasstic shape and condition and ready to perform but now that ive been off for a while, im a bit behind my horses. I just am afraid to get in the arena and take my runs at my pace and have people judge me for it or judge my horses. I have been riding at home and gaining back my strength and confidence but now its time to get back on the road and im so afraid. And people dont know what ive been thru and will probly just think im someone who doesnt know anything about the sport or care about conditioning or that i "suck" or whatever they may think. I just need to get back at it...How do you overcome all this? I was a great barrel racer and always in the money prior to my health decline and now going back in front of people as an average and not so confident rider...thats so hard.
I'm seeing lots of negativity in your post; negativity toward yourself.
Where is the negativitiy coming from? Why?
Frankly, I don't give a lick what other people think about me. I know what I need to do with my horses, and what I want to accomplish on a particular day. Yes, I've entered a barrel race and trotted my horse through the pattern. Because at the time, that's what he needed.
Don't worry about other people. Let them judge. Who cares? Worry about YOURSELF and YOUR HORSES and follow your game plan, and do what you came to do!
|
|
| |
|
 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | Why worry about it? Can you pay your bills with their opinions? If you want to go run, then go enjoy it....it's not about other people. Who gives a rip what they think?
Other people spend a lot less time caring about what you do than you'd think. They are mostly there to enjoy the day and focus on themselves.....not others. |
|
| |
|
I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| About the only way I could get over the same thing was just go. I went with a buddy who I know really well and her daughter who has just started barrel racing. She and I are about the same size and yes we do and are trying to lose weight. She could care less what anybody says about her weight or her riding and it has rubbed a little bit off on me. Honestly, I haven't heard anyone young or old say a word because there are several ladies out there in the same boat. It doesn't bother them and no one seems to notice. I think a lot is in our heads, more a reflection of how we feel about ourselves than what other people are thinking. GO HAVE FUN and DON'T overthink.  |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1037
| Biggest thing that helped me is SMALL GOALS.
If you already know that you arent in tip top shape to go out there and win right now, concentrate on the little things and set your goals from there.
Right now my only goal is to not run past the 1st, and keeping my horse calm and comfortable. I dont think about anything else but that. Building on that from there.
I had a 8 year break from barrels after having 2 super nice horses, and Im just as proud of my 4D runs now on my new guy. At the end of the day all that matters is how you feel about yourself not what others think. I think maybe you have all that negativity built up in your head, most people are focused on themselves and their horses not others. |
|
| |
|
 Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
Location: Louisiana | Girl, I'm 180 and only 5'4"!! Am I proud of that? Heck no, I gained 30 pounds in less than a year. The last 5 pounds really knocked my balance out of whack. I'm running rodeo caliber horses, I look like a monkey sometimes. I know it's hard when your confidence gets knocked, but just get out there an do it. The majority of people aren't running in the top 2 divisions anyway, no shame in slowing down a bit, or a lot!!
My mom high lopes, I can't get her to run lol. BUT, she's out there having fun!! She gets to visit with her friends, and hauls a little girl she helps. She isn't worried about being fast, she hits the 4-5D $$ here and there and she's happy with that.
If you need a boost in yourself, start working out. Walk, jog, do some yoga, anything. You will feel better about yourself, and that confidence will transfer to your horses.
I had a fall awhile back, the next run I panicked in the alleyway, loped to the first and almost fell off again-at a lope. My fear made me clam up, I lost both stirrups and just grabbed the horn. To anyone who didn't know me, it looked like I had never sat on a barrel horse.
The next night I had entered a rodeo. My husband gave me a pep talk, and literally ran down the alley behind my horse yelling like I was at the NFR. I won 3rd that night. It's all in your head!!! |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 634
| Don't worry about what anyone else thinks, go out there and have fun!!!!! I race against MYSELF every weekend and try to beat MY BEST TIME in that arena. Yes, I have a 1D horse but I don't care if someone else comes in and runs a 14.0. If my best time in that arena is a 14.3, that's what I'm trying to beat. You have to set goals for yourself and try to beat them and not worry about everyone else. It's hard, but you will get more satisfaction beating your arena best of an 18.0 with a 17.8 at the end of the day. Go have fun. People are going to hate, that's their problem, not yours. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 408
| I saw this today and I thought this could help not just to you but many of us!!
10 things to give up to live a happier life:
1. Limiting Beliefs
2. Dwelling on the past
3. Worrying about the future
4. NEGATIVE SELF TALK
5. THE NEED TO IMPRESS OTHERS
6. Complaining
7. The need to always be right
8. Resistance to change
9. Blaming others
10. THE NEED OF OTHER'S APPROVAL
Get out there and ride your horses!!!! The opinion that truly matters is your own!!!! Be kind to yourself!!!  |
|
| |
|
 Lived to tell about it and will never do it again
Posts: 5408
| Everyday that we wake up, put our feet on the floor and are free to do what we want is a GREAT day. Enjoy it and yourself!!!!! If others have a problem with that so be it, that is their problem not yours. If I never did anything out of fear of what people thought, them laughing about me or embarrassing myself then I wouldn't have ever won the things that I have won and would have missed out on a lifetime FUN!!!! GO FOR IT |
|
| |
|
 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Why are you thinking people are being mean to you, you havent even been to a race yet. I think your the one being hard on yourself, give others a chance.
Go to the barrel races and enjoy what you have in barrel horses show yourself that you can do it, dont worry about what someone else MIGHT be thinking of you, GO and have fun. I think your going to be surprise that no one will be giving you a hard time.. Now go and ride your ponys 
Edited by Southtxponygirl 2016-05-03 11:02 PM
|
|
| |
|
 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| Lookup the forum cowgirls with curves. It has so many stories of barrel racers finding success with a less than ideal figure. Remember, people judge. Its the unfortunate reality but they will judge you on your size or they will judge you on your hairstyle. You cant let judgmental people control your happiness. Go have fun, enjoy the ride! |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | Did you know they actually have a barrel racing minimum weight in Brazil? 165 lbs so mostly men barrel race. Crazy huh. And lots of them are successful at the higher weights. A woman weighing over that even busted the record on a standard pattern in Brazil a couple years ago. I have recently gained a bunch of weight from being pregnant and my balance is off kilter too. I am not hauling right now but I am losing weight to be where I want to be. You really are your own limiting factor. Just go and enjoy and if you want to lose work on that too. |
|
| |
|
 A very grounded girl
Posts: 5052
Location: Moving soon..... | I'm 5.4 and weigh 169. I am loosing but I really do not care what anyone thinks of me. I have a wonderful husband and a great mount. My gelding takes care of me. Just go out and make a run for you and no one else. |
|
| |
|
Location: Not Where I Want to Be | oija - 2016-05-03 4:05 PM A woman weighing over that even busted the record on a standard pattern in Brazil a couple years ago.
who was it?
|
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1165
Location: California | My health has also declined. While I have not gained weight I have a lot of muscle weakness and chronic fatigue. Due to all the some days it takes every ounce of strength I have to try my best to ride correctly. Most days I'm ok enough but at the last race my made found another gear and I almost came off twice. There are many times I've had people tell me I need lessons when I'm having a bad day, I just nod and say thank you. They have no idea the challenges I face in my everyday life or my experience level. I go out and keep at it because its what I love. I don't care what other people think, my saint of a mare works her heart out for me no matter what kind of day I'm having. Barrel racing is my me time and a great relaxation/stress reducing time.
Your why needs to be bigger then any excuse. |
|
| |
|
 Firecracker Dog Lover
Posts: 3175
| Try not to be so hard on yourself. I will not mention my weight on here but suffice it to say it's more than you. My horses have been out of commission for a couple of years now. I have AWESOME friends who let me borrow their horses to run so when I get a chance I do it. I gave up feeling self conscious long ago. If I am having fun, am balanced in the saddle, and the horse I am riding is enjoying its job, then I am okay. Here is a picture of me on said borrowed horse last fall - critique away, one of the best runs I've ever made in that particular arena and I smile every time I see it and I don't care what people think of my weight. Life is too short to worry about what other people think!
Edited by brlraceaddict 2016-05-03 3:33 PM
|
|
| |
|
| You need to remember that just because a "heavy" person is running a horse (FYI 180 and 5'9 is not heavy in by book) does not mean that that person is not fit.
I have more appreciation for heavy jockeys that ride quiet and correct than a string bean flapping all over. |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 929
| who cares what anyone except the clock thinks? I don't...and I am 5'7" and #180.
That being said, I used to be a size 22 and #237. I lost weight by getting out there and jogging until I couldn't breathe. Which, when I started was literally about 20 steps. Then I caught my breath by walking and then ran another 20 steps until I couldn't breathe again. I did this until I could run 4 miles without stopping. I have lost 70# at the moment but am slowly working towards more with small, achievable goals.
Who cares what other people think? It's not about them...it's YOUR journey and we all have our own individual setbacks. Not everyone suffers the same, but we all do. As you can see from my avatar, I am not the smallest person out there, but should I let that keep me from giving it a try? No. If we all waited intil we were the perfect (inset wish here) we would never do anything. I say go for it and forget what other people are doing.  |
|
| |
|
Location: Not Where I Want to Be | this thread has inspired me.
I have always dreamed of jockeying a horse in the All American.
I'm 200+ lbs and I'm going to do it.
|
|
| |
Folks on-line