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 Go For It!
   
Location: Texas | quikchik - 2015-02-09 9:32 AM
grinandbareit - 2015-02-09 9:46 AM
hlynn - 2015-02-09 8:25 AM
GLP - 2015-02-09 9:19 AM
Fallon's article in BHN might help you out.
I really loved her article. I just wish my confidence was where it needed to be. I think that's a lot of my problem. I just have no idea how to overcome it.
You need to come to one of our clinics, ; ).
You need to bring a clinic east.
I had someone contact me from up that way... I told her if she got some folks together I'd be there! But it would have to be sometime in the summer. 
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 Transplant Okie
Posts: 1206
Location: Always on call..... | Cindy Hamilton - 2015-02-09 2:47 PM Barbra Schulte...I went to one of her mentally tough clinics in Texas several years ago...she has a tape out on barrel racing, but I bet it's hard to find...the same priciples apply with any of her tapes....she's awesome...it's teaching your body and brain to go into a "state" of performance readiness through muscle memory training etc.....http://barbraschulte.com/
I second Barbara Schulte - her book The Gift helped me a ton.
I visualize myself having the run I want days before the event. I feel myself (vs. watching myself) going through the pattern as I visualize the run. Barbara says to not limit yourself when doing the visualization. See yourself riding as the competitor you want to be.
I also get really nervous the more time I wait for my run. Now I warm up only about 20-30 riders before me. I stay as far away from the arena as I can and don't watch other runs. When I do come up by the arena I get off my horse and just lead them around until the drag before my run - then put their boots on and get on.
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 823
Location: East Texas | hlynn - 2015-02-09 8:37 AM
Crowned Image - 2015-02-09 9:31 AM
hlynn - 2015-02-09 9:20 AM
Crowned Image - 2015-02-09 9:15 AM
what is your pre-run routine?
I used to warm up for too long. Loping circles and everything else. Standing by the arena for extended periods of time. My horse is DEATHLY calm, so I've been working on doing the least amount possible before my runs to keep him from getting too relaxed.
So now I've been getting on with just enough time to get his muscles warmed up and then run. I've had my best runs with minimal warm up time, so I think the longer I'm on the horse, the more nervous I get and the more I overthink what needs to be done. If that makes sense.
get yourself used to doing some silly things. I'm an avid caps fan and call my routine my Holtby-isms, maybe there's a caps fan/hockey fan that gets this on this thread.. I like to long trot both directions, lope both ways. Then, get my horse turning on the forehand and haunches then let him go stand at the trailer or walk around, try to make some new barrel racing friends... anything to keep from thinking about what I'm going to work on and fix today. then when I'm in the hole I will quickly go through the pattern with what my hands do twice. then when I'm on deck I will pet my horse and whisper sweet nothings in his ear and remind my gelding and myself that I trust him and I have no doubts in my mind that I'm going to come out of this run safely and topside.
I focus so much on my routine so I stop thinking about barrel racing. I tend to mess myself up by thinking about all the bad things that could happen so I have to force myself to do these little things. I'm beginning to think my pre-run routine has everything to do with what happens in the pattern. Mainly because it helps me personally relax my mind and when my mind is fresh on the barrels I ride the horse I'm on and stop just going through the motions in fear of something really bad happening.
Thinking about the bad things is a huge problem with me I think. I wish I could just put some headphones on and someone come get me when it's my turn to run. No on deck. No in the hole. Just when it's my turn to go down the alley. Any wait time and I'm thinking wayyy too much.
Thanks for the routine advice. I think I need to try my music. Go sing some Shake it Off really loud in a field somewhere. LOL
That is a big one...... You can't not think of something.... Don't think about the things you don't want to do. Concentrate and think about the things you are trying to do.
For example, if I said don't think about a pink elephant. The only thing your brain just did was think of a pink elephant. So if you are thinking, "don't hit a barrel", the only thing your mind is "hit a barrel".
I coach for a living. I never tell my players, "Don't fumble". I always tell them to "hold on to the ball".
Also, like many others have said....get a routine. Make it the same no matter where you run. There are some things you need to build into your routine to help you relax as well.
Others have mentions mental coaches, I would like to throw out the name Brian Cain. He as worked with many athletes from MMA, baseball, softball, etc. Find his books and videos. He has an awesome approach to what it take mentally to win. |
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
 
Location: Phoenix | Get the book Mind Gym!!!!! Such a good read and very helpful. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 550
| grinandbareit - 2015-02-10 12:18 AM
quikchik - 2015-02-09 9:32 AM
grinandbareit - 2015-02-09 9:46 AM
hlynn - 2015-02-09 8:25 AM
GLP - 2015-02-09 9:19 AM
Fallon's article in BHN might help you out.
I really loved her article. I just wish my confidence was where it needed to be. I think that's a lot of my problem. I just have no idea how to overcome it.
You need to come to one of our clinics, ; ).
You need to bring a clinic east.
I had someone contact me from up that way... I told her if she got some folks together I'd be there! But it would have to be sometime in the summer.
PM me if you get it set up!! I would love to come. |
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  Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | Eat turkey before my run and don't watch anyone while I'm waiting and just chat. If I don't think about it, I ride much better. |
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