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 Veteran
Posts: 131
 
Location: Colorado | doglady - 2014-11-19 11:53 PM
Well this thread made it to FB and got blasted. Apparently there are lots more older barrel racers that are still feeling like 20 year olds! I didn't say you weren't supposed to be doing this after 45-I just meant since things change how are you handling the changes.
Facebook is a different crowd......
I LOVE your thread DogLady and I think you started a GREAT discussion....I shared it across to my Mile Hi page and didn't get much play at all......
Love it....I'm waiting to hear your trial and tribulations of today........
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 Jr. Detective
  
Location: Beggs, OK | Three 4 Luck - 2014-11-20 10:12 AM rachellyn80 - 2014-11-20 9:58 AM I don't even have one to run right now! lol I have a four year old that has been with Liana and is now going to the ranch until next summer to learn a little work ethic...and I bought another ranch horse recently that will be going to her when I pick the other one up. I'm a little excited about the new one. He's waspy enough that the kids won't be riding him...he'll be ALL mine! He's already bucked PJ off, so she's done. Lilly won't even ride with me when I'm on Pippy--no worries there about losing my horse. LOL She does buck sometimes, but isn't trashy about it. It would probably scare me if I hadn't raised her, but I know I can get her to stop.
The one that Liana has wants to be cold backed with everyone except me...and the new one has hopped a couple of times, but definitely has not bucked. I didn't see her come off of him, but she was MAD at me over it, lol. She wanted to use him to pony her Princess Hotbox around before the rodeo instead of having to take all of her Back On Track gear off and let her get cold. He was pretty sore and beat up when I got him, so I had to explain to her that: balanced shoes, stifle injections, Gastroguard, and cold weather would change a horses disposition significantly, lol.
He's a fun little guy and I really hope he works out. I'm getting real tired of providing everyone else with cool horses to ride! |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | Oh Lord, Princess Hotbox. I love it! She's earned it tho.  Have fun with the new ones and good luck keeping them to yourself. |
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 Best of the Badlands
Location: You never know where I will show up...... | doglady - 2014-11-17 2:28 PM The post on the clinic for women over 40 got me thinking. I would like to hear how some of you 45 and up feel your barrel racing has changed.
For me -I am heavier than I was-my balance isn't as good and I hurt all over. I know I am not as competive as I used to be-I think I have really nice horses but I haven't actually kicked or even thought about running hard to the first barrel for years now. I seem to be more interested in making a nice smooth run -a confidence builder-for my horses. I used to really not like the 4ds-now I love them. I fit in.
It is funny when the younger girls look at me -I know they are thinking-why is she still here! Or yea, more added money. I know that the older you get the better horse you need to be competive. I used to be able to win on about anything-I thought I could so I did. Now -I am just not sure anymore.
Anyway I would love to hear you all's thoughts on this.
I just want to say that I would NEVER EVER think that of you. You are someone that I have looked up to for a very long time. You will always be a winner in my eyes. You are someone that has been places and done things that most of us can only dream of doing.
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  Friendly horse swapper
Posts: 4122
Location: Buffalo, TX | rachellyn80 - 2014-11-20 10:21 AM Three 4 Luck - 2014-11-20 10:12 AM rachellyn80 - 2014-11-20 9:58 AM take all of her Back On Track gear off
Speaking of Back On Track gear....I bought the T shirt (they run big) and WOW, it really works....I had a nagging shoulder pain for a few months and bought it for that and the pain disappeared completely after wearing the shirt about 3 days for 4 hrs. each evening....also, it's long enough to cover your lower back, so as a side effect my eternally nagging sciatica pain that I go to the chiro for all the time has also nearly 100% disappeared...I'm really amazed at this product...so those of you in pain, check out this stuff...I was skeptical at first, but bought it anyway, and I'm glad I did.... |
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boon
Posts: 3
| I'm new to Barrel racing and horseback riding in general, even though I rode in high school. I am 50 and loving it. I am taking lessons and even though it seems like a very slow process, improvement is being made and I am excited. Being an x-athlete in a few sports helps keep me motivated. Where are the clinics for seniors/older gals? Thanks for all the tips and encouragement. You guys are great. |
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 Hugs to You
Posts: 7550
Location: In The Land of Cotton | bImage - 2014-11-20 1:42 PM I'm new to Barrel racing and horseback riding in general, even though I rode in high school. I am 50 and loving it. I am taking lessons and even though it seems like a very slow process, improvement is being made and I am excited. Being an x-athlete in a few sports helps keep me motivated. Where are the clinics for seniors/older gals? Thanks for all the tips and encouragement. You guys are great.
Welcome!
Where do you live? There are always clinics available, but I have not seen one specifically for "us older" people. It would be a good idea though.
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Veteran
Posts: 120
| Im loving this thread......I have a question maybe someone can help me with...waaay off topic.
When I hit reply ( to reply to someones comment)...and then I view it...my comment shows up at the end of the blog but it doesn't include the text I was referring to. I see all the different text colors that separates the conversation. Can't figure out how to do that either. Hope you guys know what I'm talking about....lol..thanks |
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 Go Your Own Way
Posts: 4947
Location: SE KS | Dog lady - I have always had great respect for you. I think you are a great horsewoman and would hate to see you stop.
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 More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | banjomia - 2014-11-20 4:00 PM Im loving this thread......I have a question maybe someone can help me with...waaay off topic. When I hit reply ( to reply to someones comment)...and then I view it...my comment shows up at the end of the blog but it doesn't include the text I was referring to. I see all the different text colors that separates the conversation. Can't figure out how to do that either. Hope you guys know what I'm talking about....lol..thanks
Use Quote if you want to reply to a specific post. Use reply in general. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 907
Location: a secret | 50 is the new 30 .................havent you heard?
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 IMA No Hair Style Gal
Posts: 2594
| Doglady-first off let me say that I think you are BAD ASS! You went to the NFR, how cool is that?!?
I would probably giggle like a little kid if I got your autograph...seriously!
I have not read every post, and I am 27, but I just wanted to say that this is about your journey not everyone elses.
If you love the 4Ds, you love the 4Ds-go and enjoy them. If you want something different then go do something different. Your journey, your choice-just enjoy doing what you love, because life is too short to not enjoy yourself!!
Don't worry about "the younger girls" wondering why you are still here. They are probably thinking "what can I learn from her?" I know that would be what I would think if I ran into you-and then I would probably bother you for pointers. ;-) |
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Mrs. Troy
Location: western Nebraska | I don't plan on quitting anytime soon. But today I realized what it is that is finally bugging me at age 56. OMG=I actually said it outloud. I have been lying about it for so long! haha Anyway What I finally realized is that 20 years ago I was riding the same kind of horses I am now. Either fixers or problems mentally or physically and 20 years ago I was one step ahead. I could sense what was going to happen and fix it before it materialized. 10 years ago I was in the moment as it happened and could fix it at the time -I was stepping side by side with my horses. Now 20 years later I am one step behind. It happens and I say "oh shi!! where did that come from. Too late to fix what happened. I might have as good a horse as I have ever had. He is young but has moves that are amazing. I am going to have to get back to being mentally as tough as I have ever been or I am going to be sitting on ground watching him turn the next barrel.
So there is my whole 20 years in a nutshell. One step ahead, 10 years in the moment, and 10 more years one step behind. |
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IMA No Hair Style Gal
Posts: 2594
| My thoughts, I bet you still "got" it-you just don't realize it.
It is my opinion that horsemanship is like wine-it only gets better with time.
Don't be your own worst enemy. The best is yet to come. |
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 Go For It!
Location: Texas | 3canstorun - 2014-11-20 1:02 PM
bImage - 2014-11-20 1:42 PM I'm new to Barrel racing and horseback riding in general, even though I rode in high school. I am 50 and loving it. I am taking lessons and even though it seems like a very slow process, improvement is being made and I am excited. Being an x-athlete in a few sports helps keep me motivated. Where are the clinics for seniors/older gals? Thanks for all the tips and encouragement. You guys are great.
Welcome!
Where do you live? There are always clinics available, but I have not seen one specifically for "us older" people. It would be a good idea though.
I'm having a 40 and up, ladies only, clinic in Giddings, TX on December 12th - 15th. It filled up just a few hours after posting it. It's going to be a great clinic and I will be addressing a lot of the things that were mentioned here.
We are only limited by our own thoughts… Age has never been a big deal for me because I have a grandma that has never been limited by her age. She turned 90 this year and is the hostess/cashier at the Ihop in Kerrville. She works several days a week and all the holidays, which "I" complain is too much for her, lol. Her reply is "you want me to sit at home and get old? That'll kill me!" She is quite a lady and reminds me often that I have great genetics, lol.
My good friend and I were discussing our barrel racing and she said "Ya know, I think that the real gift is actually the DESIRE to do it." I think that my friend is right.
I am thinking about doing another clinic in January so keep your eyes open for it, if you're interested!
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boon
Posts: 3
| I live in Colorado but am willing to travel. Not sure about hauling a horse of snow passes though. That seems rough. Excited to attend clinics. It would be great to leave the state in the middle of winter :-)
Edited by bImage 2014-11-21 12:24 AM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 623
Location: Iowa | I started barrel racing at about 45. I'll be 60 beginning of Jan. I'll continue running til I can't get up on my horse. |
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Expert
Posts: 1586
Location: west of East Texas | I'm having a blast at 52. I rode the 'horse to beat' horse for 15 years with a few others thrown in there just for variety. When he aged out, I was a young adult and adult things took me away from competing for about 15 years. I started back at local playdays and open horseshows when I started my kids on horses. The last 10 years have been a steady run of getting better and better. I've started several horses that went on to become my daughters' main mounts. But you know what... I ride their horses everytime the girls aren't looking and I love it!
Yes, I'm not as agile or as fit as I was at 20 but I'm smarter and use my brain more to make up for it. If I wasn't out riding or working in the barn, I'd be in worse shape, physically and mentally, than I am now. My horses don't care that I'm a bit behind them sometimes, and I KNOW they appreciate my mature and knowledgeable mindset when a problem comes up. I know someone else could ride my horses better but they don't own the horse, I do. And I don't plan on giving my horses up. Well, unless one of the daughters come asking. That one always gets me. ha ha ha |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 642
Location: TX | I'm 66, new knees, heavier and much slower reflexes - and grateful for every single run I get to make. I faithfully renew my WPRA gold card every year, plus BBR, and count my blessings. I still raise and train my own horses, buy a few off the track, and enjoy every single minute of it. I've had to do some serious attitude adjustments along the way about the changes in my riding ability and losing horses I dearly loved. When you're in this long-term, you make the necessary changes and so appreciate still being able to continue. |
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 Lady Di
Posts: 21556
Location: Oklahoma | Well at 45, I felt great....won rookie of the year in the IPRA and made the finals. At 46, I was riding better than ever and made the IFR again and set 5 arena records.....but at 62, I went today and was in the crack of the 3D....and I haven't run hard to the first in a long time. Sold the rodeo horse I bought in July because he terrified me going so fast, so I hear ya!!! I quit completely in 2010 and sold everything and lasted only 3 months. I was miserable. I missed my friends, I missed my horses, and I gained 30 lbs. :( So I bought back everything (and paid more for it, of course) and I'm happy. I get to see my friends, I have a GREAT set of horses that I know I don't do justice to, but I know when I sell them that they are workin' sons a guns! lol I've made peace with the fact that I'm no longer going to set an arena record, and honestly, I don't want to go that fast. I barrel race now more for fun, and to sell my horses (they've got to be out there going or they won't sell) and if I need one shown in a fast run, there's a couple of young guns that love to ride my horses and will let me get a good video. :) I identified with everything you said, but I think if you quit, you would miss it. I felt like I lost my identity, and I felt that I was kinda letting God down when He had given me a healthy enough body to still be able to run (albeit less competitively). But I do think that we should use the gifts we were given and yours is definitely to train and compete on great horses. :) |
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