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Expert
Posts: 2685
   
| Sorry, I know I have been blowing up the board lately. Hubs deployed and I have vowed to do things I enjoy this time, so I'm gathering info.
How many of you girls haul alone? I don't mean like in the truck alone, but like no friends when you get there....
I have no one to talk to etc. I work A LOT and go to school full time, so it hasn't left much in the way of social life. I will be trying to go to some all weekend stuff for the next few months, and I don't mind staying by myself (used to it at this point) but I am a little worried about not having anyone to talk to or anything during the days. I can only annoy my horse soooo much.
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12837
| If you haul alone, US RIDER is essential. If anything happens to your horse at a barrel race they will get a vet out, etc. If you have any kind of auto trouble they will take care of it. Used them not long ago. Had a flat in a bad part of Ft Worth. It was hot as blazes. Yeah, I could have changed it but who in their right mind wants to? I think it is $140 a year. Very well worth it. We have called them after midnight before. |
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 Quarter Horse HIstorian
Posts: 2878
Location: Aubrey, Texas | It might take a while, but this sounds like an opportunity to make some friends! You might start by volunteering to help set barrels or work the gate or something- the main thing is to have fun and be friendly. |
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Location: OK | Where are you located? Maybe someone in that area will read your post. Also you might put the location in your post heading. If you are an NBHA member you might get in touch with your state or regional director and let them know you are new to the area. I traveled on jobs for several years and that was how I got my foot in the door so to speak. |
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 Scooters Savior
Location: "Si Fi" Ville | Call anytime or text me if you want. I will pm
You my number. I generally have something off the wall going on. Lots of wild tales, all true. |
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Expert
Posts: 2685
| Thank you guys :)
I didn’t think about barrel setting and such. I’m polite and smile to everyone but I tend to be really shy about talking to new people. I feel like that weird person no one knows making awkward conversation...lol
I am from the OKC, OK area and will be going to Waco end of August and either Syracuse, KS for the mock NFR weekend or Texarkana for the Lucky Dog (both October). Not too sure what between now and then.
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Scooters Savior
Location: "Si Fi" Ville | I’m just over an hour from
Texarkana. You are welcome to come stay. I have an arena, stalls, round pen, paddocks. And I’m 5 minutes off I 20 |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | treasurehunter - 2018-07-09 10:12 PM
Call anytime or text me if you want. I will pm
You my number. I generally have something off the wall going on. Lots of wild tales, all true.
I think Miss Cat would be awesome to hang with if you get close to her area!
Good luck hauling and making new friends  |
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Doggy Diaper Designer
Posts: 2322
Location: WI | You are pretty much in the center of all barrel racing there! Tons of people! My advice is to hang out up by arena and watch. Say hi to people, volunteer so people learn who you are. Be active in local Facebook groups. It'll happen, just takes time. Sometimes you just gotta walk up to someone and start talking. Maybe ask them a specific question about their horse or ask how its bread or something just to open a general conversation most people get really chatty when he started asking about their horse and stuff and it's a good ice-breaker to lead another conversation and friendliness |
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 The Bling Princess
Posts: 3411
Location: North Dakota | I was once you when my husband and I moved to Wyoming years ago. I knew NO ONE!! It was just me, the dog, and my horse. Then I came onto BHW and met Wyodrumrunner. She was living in WY at the time and I befriended her here and then met her in person at a barrel race. We became friends, she introduced me to new people, and the rest is history. I might also suggest saying hello to the people parked next to you. I've met several people this way and formed friendships:) It just takes one time to step out of your comfort zone to meet a new person. Do that at every race and pretty soon you'll have a lot of new friends:) |
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 Expert
Posts: 1857
| All the time but I'm an introvert. Between kids and work, weekends alone are my "me" time. Get you a book to read for the down time, take a nap(I love naps), or go watch everyone work their young horses. Amazing how many little things you can learn by watching. Take the time to clean tack, trailer, or get a project done. |
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 Born not Made
Posts: 2930
Location: North Dakota | RoaniePonie11 - 2018-07-09 8:56 PM Sorry, I know I have been blowing up the board lately. Hubs deployed and I have vowed to do things I enjoy this time, so I'm gathering info. How many of you girls haul alone? I don't mean like in the truck alone, but like no friends when you get there.... I have no one to talk to etc. I work A LOT and go to school full time, so it hasn't left much in the way of social life. I will be trying to go to some all weekend stuff for the next few months, and I don't mind staying by myself (used to it at this point) but I am a little worried about not having anyone to talk to or anything during the days. I can only annoy my horse soooo much.
Everyone has to start somewhere.
When I finished school and started hauling to the local jackpots, there were a few names that I knew, but I can't say I was really "friends" with anyone. That was 6 years ago and now I practically know everyone!
Just start going. You'll meet people.
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Regular
Posts: 97
| I live in OKC. Let me know what race your going to anytime soon and maybe we can meet up. |
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 Reaching for the stars....
Posts: 12703
| I've always been a loner so it wasn't so big a deal for me going into hauling alone. There were akward or boring moments, yes. But, I also started getting to know some people. One advantage of going into this alone - you get to sit back and observe and kinda choose the crowd that seems to fit you better. I've always shied away from the 'popular' crowd, finding them to be too surface only, so I found people who were more into what I was (breeding and bringing up foals) and going from there. I really think I made the best connections and friends through the smaller district shows. Peeps are very busy, tired, and sometimes distracted at the big shows. Now, 14 years later, I am a part of the Virginia barrel racing family. I now have a sidekick that travels with me, and after 3 seasons of that I'm kinda ready to be alone again!! Good luck with getting out and getting to know your local barrel racers! |
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Itchy Boobs
Posts: 360
| I’m a huge loner. I’m actually incredibly socially awkward so if my husband isn’t with me I take my dog and avoid most human contact. I show up run and go to the house. That’s always been my preference don’t get me wrong I have a few friends and family that go occasional but I always prefer and run better if I’m to myself and focused. |
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Veteran
Posts: 134
| I'm up in the Stillwater, OK area. I just started barrel racing this year, so I only knew the girl that I take lessons from. But, I have a made some friends at the different arenas I run at. Some I met in clinics and some were made because my husband is very outgoing and made friends with their husbands first just hanging out waiting for me to run haha. He is much more outgoing than me. I am usually really quite at the races trying to think through everything I need to do to achieve my goals for that run. Anyways, I am more than likely going to be running at the Summer Shootout at the OKC Fairgrounds in August if you end up running there and want someone to chit chat with. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 883
Location: Southern Indiana | I've been in that situation when my family quit going. Luckily I met someone not too long after that and he helped me socialize and get to know a lot more people. Now when I go alone I usually find someone to talk to for a bit, but I usually still kind of keep to myself and my dog. Talking to people is too much work lol
Its hard to go alone. It kind of de-motivates you. Barrel racing requires a lot of support from friends and family. Push through it though! You'll make some friends. |
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Expert
Posts: 2685
| Huge thank you everyone. I think I have messaged all of the local people. I would really like to meet someone from here. I feel like I have known “you guys” for a while lol.
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 Expert
Posts: 1511
Location: Illinois | I hauled alone for a couple seasons, went maybe 5 times a year. Just did college homework, watched dvds on my laptop, or sometimes I took projects. One day a girl said hi to me walking by. Next time I was headed somewhere I messaged her on facebook and literally asked if I could sit with her bc I didn't know anyone. Today we're best friends, even though she lives 2 hours away. And I'm super good friends with her mom who lives in the town next to me, so we always are together. Now I talk to a lot of people & pretty much everyone knows my name. Not in a cocky way or anything, just nice to know people realize I exist kind of. I've always been a huge loner and shy so it was hard, but that one Hi started a snowball effect and now almost everyone says hi & I'm not scared to say hi or have conversations. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2258
| I went back to running last year and hauled to places I had not in the past. I ended up meeting some really great ladies along the way. I am akward and literally can only talk about horses to the point of being annoying probably but I found some people and slowly made friends. I kind of had to force myself to just start a conversation. This year my husband is away working and I am struggling to actually haul by myself though. |
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