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 Straight Shooter
Posts: 5725
   
Location: SW North Dakota | I've done it both ways. Usually if I have at least one open horse, I will show up early to exhibition my young ones. If I don't have an open horse, I will run them as soon as they can work the pattern correctly (knowing that I will probably have to go home and put the pieces back together). I don't ask them for their life, but at least I have something to play with. Honestly, the ones I enter sooner seem to come along faster. But that could be because I'm spending more time with them when I don't have a fun, finished horse.
One word of caution from a lesson learned the hard way... don't putz too long. I think I have trained more than one to "run slow" from taking too much time without blowing their skirts up. It was harder to "undo" than you'd expect! haha.
(edited to fix a typo)
Edited by ND3canAddict 2017-03-14 3:04 PM
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 The Worst Seller Ever
Posts: 4138
Location: Oklahoma | When my colts have a solid pattern, they get entered. I make our normal run, then hustle them (with my body and smooching) home. Once they get that figured out I will hustle from 2nd to 3rd & home. After about 6 runs I usually have them wanting to pick up speed on their own. At the smaller weekly jackpots that is usually enough to place in the 4d. The more confidence they pick up the faster they push themselves. | |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Lots and lots of good advice on here  | |
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 Half-Eaten Cookies
Posts: 2076
Location: Fort Worth / Springtown | Yes, there is! I am the OP, and I want to thank everyone of you for your comments. I thought about every one of the points made and applied them to my strategy - one week after my last set of exhibitions, I decided to stick to exhibitions, again.... She improved her time by another 1/2 second!! Plus, they were running an after race special and exhibitions were cheaper :) Exhibition only, was the right choice, this time, for sure, because my first run, I tested her, put some pressure and she nailed the first, but over-turned it and headed towards the 3rd - she was strung out after that. Second exhibition I trotted, collected and circled each barrel. Then the 3rd one, I went slower to first, but asked for a little speed after that, but still making sure to rate and collect her more and just trying to cruise and be correct. She had a lot of energy when I first began warming her up and I didn't get a lot of warm-up, but she seemed almost like a different horse by the 3rd exhibition - plus I did not work the barrel pattern all week - just poles, and then a "one barrrel" excercise, so she still needs work putting the whole pattern together at a fast speed. She is earning my respect, though. A tiny little reining bred filly, gifted to me, and now people refer to her as a tank at 14.3. There was a time that I just quit riding her because I couldn't find a saddle to stay on her. I have a never tight cinch in the mail to me right now - can't wait to get it! She doesn't mind working, at all. And she's doing poles even better than barrels. I will continue to consider your thoughts. Thanks, y'all :)
Edited by txbredbr 2017-03-15 11:07 AM
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 I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
| Personally it is worth the extra money not to have to be at a barrel race way before it starts..... I have one right now that I got to the show before it started and was too late to get in the exhibitions so I entered the warm up and Sr barrels for my exhibitions. I got there at 9am and didn't get home until midnight. The next one I got to at 2pm, could not get in the arena until my actual 2 expos and did not make my run until 4am the next morning..... I just do not have the patience and stamina to do that very much....I'd much rather have driven 300 miles to make one rodeo run and driven home in the same timeframe and been LESS wore out.
I guess it also depends on what you have more of, time or money.
Makes me appreciate my old seasoned rodeo horses even more. ![]()
src='http://forums.barrelhorseworld.com/forum/images/emoticons/n3.gif'>
edited to add: This only works if YOU can treat your entry as an expo, and leave expectations home until they are ready for pressure.
Edited by rodeoveteran 2017-03-15 9:40 AM
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Half-Eaten Cookies
Posts: 2076
Location: Fort Worth / Springtown | rodeoveteran - 2017-03-15 9:37 AM Personally it is worth the extra money not to have to be at a barrel race way before it starts..... I have one right now that I got to the show before it started and was too late to get in the exhibitions so I entered the warm up and Sr barrels for my exhibitions. I got there at 9am and didn't get home until midnight. The next one I got to at 2pm, could not get in the arena until my actual 2 expos and did not make my run until 4am the next morning..... I just do not have the patience and stamina to do that very much....I'd much rather have driven 300 miles to make one rodeo run and driven home in the same timeframe and been LESS wore out. I guess it also depends on what you have more of, time or money. Makes me appreciate my old seasoned rodeo horses even more.  edited to add: This only works if YOU can treat your entry as an expo, and leave expectations home until they are ready for pressure.
Interesting. But I agree about before race exhibitions....on the weeknights I can't make it in time and the weekends....I just got a lot of other stuff to do :) I love the after race exhibitions...but at large 200 + race...I kind of like your idea if it is possible to be eligible for more than one class. | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 878
Location: "...way down south in the Everglades..." | I agree with Rodeoveteran. I'm usually too tired after my main runs to stay late and ride in a time only. I usually like to tackle the young or difficult ones first. But then I'd have to get there much earlier and none of the ones by me do timers for the morning exhibitions, so I don't usually exhibition. To me, time is a huge commodity and although money doesn't grow on trees, I can find other ways to cut back through the week to make up the $10-20 I spent extra to enter rather than exhibition.
The big trick is being able to ride as if it was an exhibition and not get caught up in the "go for broke" run mode. Also, can't be sensitive to hearing a slow time or something that sounds like what you imagine would win a 10-D if they existed...
My main one started at 4 before I had planned to enter her (I had just bought her). But the other one I was riding got sidelined from an injury so it was either give up on the year or just go have fun. So I went to have fun and luckily she took to it quickly and it was the perfect decision for the scenario.
Now fast forward, and I have two horses that I picked up last year as 4 yr olds. The one horse had just started learning the pattern before I got him, but he is super hot and reactive and is going to take some serious time to get going. He won't be entered until he's much further along. The other one I bought had not been patterned at all, but he has a much more mature attitude. I did enter him twice now and although he's no where near being a threat to anyone else, I really enjoyed loping him through for the experience. With loud music, crowds, etc. it's a great way to season him.
But on the flip side, I have a 3 year old that will not be entered until 12/1 to make sure I can keep her futurity eligible just in case I decide to try her in futurities or sell her. So marketing-wise, that's where I think it really matters.
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | txbredbr - 2017-03-15 8:57 AM Yes, there is! I am the OP, and I want to thank everyone of you for your comments. I thought about every one of the points made and applied them to my strategy - one week after my last set of exhibitions, I decided to stick to exhibitions, again.... She improved her time by another 1/2 second!! Plus, they were running an after race special and exhibitions were cheaper :) Exhibition only, was the right choice, this time, for sure, because my first run, I tested her, put some pressure and she nailed the first, but over-turned it and headed towards the 3rd - she was strung out after that. Second exhibition I trotted, collected and circled each barrel. Then the 3rd one, I went slower to first, but asked for a little speed after that, but still making sure to rate and collect her more and just trying to cruise and be correct. She had a lot of energy when I first began warming her up and I didn't get a lot of warm-up, but she seemed almost like a different horse by the 3rd exhibition - plus I did not work the barrel pattern all week - just poles, and then a "one barrrel" excercise, so she still needs work putting the whole pattern together at a fast speed. She is earning my respect, though. A tiny little reining bred filly, gifted to me, and now people refer to her as a tank at 14.3. There was a time that I just quit riding her because I couldn't find a saddle to stay on her. I have a never tight cinch in the mail to me right now - can't wait to get it! She doesn't mind working, at all. And she's doing poles even better than barrels. I will continue to consider your thoughts. Thanks, y'all :)
She sure is a handsome mare.. Whats her breeding, sorry if I missed that somewhere, lol.. But I like what I see in her. She looks like she can be catty/quick around the barrels.  | |
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Half-Eaten Cookies
Posts: 2076
Location: Fort Worth / Springtown | Southtxponygirl - 2017-03-15 1:55 PM txbredbr - 2017-03-15 8:57 AM Yes, there is! I am the OP, and I want to thank everyone of you for your comments. I thought about every one of the points made and applied them to my strategy - one week after my last set of exhibitions, I decided to stick to exhibitions, again.... She improved her time by another 1/2 second!! Plus, they were running an after race special and exhibitions were cheaper :) Exhibition only, was the right choice, this time, for sure, because my first run, I tested her, put some pressure and she nailed the first, but over-turned it and headed towards the 3rd - she was strung out after that. Second exhibition I trotted, collected and circled each barrel. Then the 3rd one, I went slower to first, but asked for a little speed after that, but still making sure to rate and collect her more and just trying to cruise and be correct. She had a lot of energy when I first began warming her up and I didn't get a lot of warm-up, but she seemed almost like a different horse by the 3rd exhibition - plus I did not work the barrel pattern all week - just poles, and then a "one barrrel" excercise, so she still needs work putting the whole pattern together at a fast speed. She is earning my respect, though. A tiny little reining bred filly, gifted to me, and now people refer to her as a tank at 14.3. There was a time that I just quit riding her because I couldn't find a saddle to stay on her. I have a never tight cinch in the mail to me right now - can't wait to get it! She doesn't mind working, at all. And she's doing poles even better than barrels. I will continue to consider your thoughts. Thanks, y'all :)
She is by Olena's Conductor (a paint reiner by Smart Chic O'Lena) who I believe was retired at 4 due to injury.
Out of (QH Mare) Slidin By Ability (a LOT of Poco Pine in there) -- and Zippo Pat Bars -she has his shoulder - HUGE.
She is proving to be VERY catty....a lot of stamina. I am very pleased with her, after having running horses since the late 80's ....except for a Poco Bueno mare I ran from '85-'91. Been a while - she is FUN.
Edited by txbredbr 2017-03-15 3:07 PM
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 899
Location: Idaho | I am on the same boat!! I ran the same horse for 6 years and he passed away about two years ago, and he was generally top of the 4D consistently. About a year before he passed away, I picked up a baby.. who now will be 6 in May. It has been about 2 1/2 years since I have actually entered and ran, and this colt is a lot faster than my old gelding and he hasn't quite found that speed yet. But when he goes, he feels like he is running when he is not. lol So I am taking time to build confidence not only in him, but myself.
I have done maybe about 15-20 exhibitions on him since the beginning of the year(Take him 3 times in and out of each arena I take him to), and he has been improving each time. In the beginning he was clocking in the mid 30's.. now he has gotten down to a 20.2 and he's just fast loping through, fast time in that pen is a 16.2. I feel like I should wait to enter him until he starts at least clocking in the 4D, but I feel like for me.. it's a mind game and I can screw myself if I'm not mentally there, so a part of me wants to enter to get both of our confidence up. Just so when it comes down to it, I'll be able to stick with the pressure and not screw up. Although since I have trained him myself from the ground up, I feel like we are a lot more in tune than I am used to and as long as I stay consistent, then everything else will come together.
I would say it's really up to you and how you ride. Coming from riding the same horse for X amount of years, I think it would be a game changer when you're running a new horse. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 899
Location: Idaho | txbredbr - 2017-03-16 1:02 PM
Southtxponygirl - 2017-03-15 1:55 PM txbredbr - 2017-03-15 8:57 AM Yes, there is! I am the OP, and I want to thank everyone of you for your comments. I thought about every one of the points made and applied them to my strategy - one week after my last set of exhibitions, I decided to stick to exhibitions, again.... She improved her time by another 1/2 second!! Plus, they were running an after race  special and exhibitions were cheaper :) Exhibition only, was the right choice, this time, for sure, because my first run, I tested her, put some pressure and she nailed the first, but over-turned it and headed towards the 3rd - she was strung out after that. Second exhibition I trotted, collected and circled each barrel. Then the 3rd one, I went slower to first, but asked for a little speed after that, but still making sure to rate and collect her more and just trying to cruise and be correct. She had a lot of energy when I first began warming her up and I didn't get a lot of warm-up, but she seemed almost like a different horse by the 3rd exhibition - plus I did not work the barrel pattern all week - just poles, and then a "one barrrel" excercise, so she still needs work putting the whole pattern together at a fast speed. She is earning my respect, though. A tiny little reining bred filly, gifted to me, and now people refer to her as a tank at 14.3. There was a time that I just quit riding her because I couldn't find a saddle to stay on her. I have a never tight cinch in the mail to me right now - can't wait to get it! She doesn't mind working, at all. And she's doing poles even better than barrels. I will continue to consider your thoughts. Thanks, y'all :)
Â
Out of (QH Mare) Slidin By Ability (a LOT of Poco Pine in there) -- and Zippo Pat Bars -she has his shoulder - HUGE.
She is proving to be VERY catty....a lot of stamina.  I am very pleased with her, after having running horses since the late 80's ....except for a Poco Bueno mare I ran from '85-'91. Been a while - she is FUN.Â
Oh, I did this last time I entered!! I put some pressure on him and he nailed his first!! Still have a bruise and gash healing from that, then the second exhibition he knocked over his second. I was in shock because he has never knocked a barrel!! But then we came back, slowed it down, brought it back to basics then I asked again quietly, perfect pattern and the fastest time he has done so far (20.2). She is a good looking mare though!! I'm sure she will be awesome!! | |
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Half-Eaten Cookies
Posts: 2076
Location: Fort Worth / Springtown | DashNDustem - 2017-03-15 3:26 PM I am on the same boat!! I ran the same horse for 6 years and he passed away about two years ago, and he was generally top of the 4D consistently. About a year before he passed away, I picked up a baby.. who now will be 6 in May. It has been about 2 1/2 years since I have actually entered and ran, and this colt is a lot faster than my old gelding and he hasn't quite found that speed yet. But when he goes, he feels like he is running when he is not. lol So I am taking time to build confidence not only in him, but myself. I have done maybe about 15-20 exhibitions on him since the beginning of the year(Take him 3 times in and out of each arena I take him to), and he has been improving each time. In the beginning he was clocking in the mid 30's.. now he has gotten down to a 20.2 and he's just fast loping through, fast time in that pen is a 16.2. I feel like I should wait to enter him until he starts at least clocking in the 4D, but I feel like for me.. it's a mind game and I can screw myself if I'm not mentally there, so a part of me wants to enter to get both of our confidence up. Just so when it comes down to it, I'll be able to stick with the pressure and not screw up. Although since I have trained him myself from the ground up, I feel like we are a lot more in tune than I am used to and as long as I stay consistent, then everything else will come together. I would say it's really up to you and how you ride. Coming from riding the same horse for X amount of years, I think it would be a game changer when you're running a new horse.
I am sorry about the loss of your horse - I tear up everytime I think of not having my old faithful.
It is very different having a young one after all these years - I haven't really done exhibitions in over decade!
I probably had my mare a little further along, though, than you, it sounds like. I did a lot at home, but just don't have the space on good ground to really push her at home...but I've taken her to a friends house, too. Still not the same when you are at a race. :)
Sounds like you are doing good. I hope your hand heals fast - at least I didn't hurt anything but my pride...usually guiding her two handed, but now going to one hand to turn and she pushes off the barrel and goes anywhere...she's done that on an end pole, too. :)
Good luck to you! Thanks for the compliment on my mare!
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | txbredbr - 2017-03-15 3:02 PM Southtxponygirl - 2017-03-15 1:55 PM txbredbr - 2017-03-15 8:57 AM Yes, there is! I am the OP, and I want to thank everyone of you for your comments. I thought about every one of the points made and applied them to my strategy - one week after my last set of exhibitions, I decided to stick to exhibitions, again.... She improved her time by another 1/2 second!! Plus, they were running an after race special and exhibitions were cheaper :) Exhibition only, was the right choice, this time, for sure, because my first run, I tested her, put some pressure and she nailed the first, but over-turned it and headed towards the 3rd - she was strung out after that. Second exhibition I trotted, collected and circled each barrel. Then the 3rd one, I went slower to first, but asked for a little speed after that, but still making sure to rate and collect her more and just trying to cruise and be correct. She had a lot of energy when I first began warming her up and I didn't get a lot of warm-up, but she seemed almost like a different horse by the 3rd exhibition - plus I did not work the barrel pattern all week - just poles, and then a "one barrrel" excercise, so she still needs work putting the whole pattern together at a fast speed. She is earning my respect, though. A tiny little reining bred filly, gifted to me, and now people refer to her as a tank at 14.3. There was a time that I just quit riding her because I couldn't find a saddle to stay on her. I have a never tight cinch in the mail to me right now - can't wait to get it! She doesn't mind working, at all. And she's doing poles even better than barrels. I will continue to consider your thoughts. Thanks, y'all :)
Out of (QH Mare) Slidin By Ability (a LOT of Poco Pine in there) -- and Zippo Pat Bars -she has his shoulder - HUGE.
She is proving to be VERY catty....a lot of stamina. I am very pleased with her, after having running horses since the late 80's ....except for a Poco Bueno mare I ran from '85-'91. Been a while - she is FUN.
I like her, keep us updated on how shes doing, have fun  | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 899
Location: Idaho | txbredbr - 2017-03-16 3:18 PM
DashNDustem - 2017-03-15 3:26 PM I am on the same boat!! I ran the same horse for 6 years and he passed away about two years ago, and he was generally top of the 4D consistently. About a year before he passed away, I picked up a baby.. who now will be 6 in May. It has been about 2 1/2 years since I have actually entered and ran, and this colt is a lot faster than my old gelding and he hasn't quite found that speed yet. But when he goes, he feels like he is running when he is not. lol So I am taking time to build confidence not only in him, but myself. I have done maybe about 15-20 exhibitions on him since the beginning of the year(Take him 3 times in and out of each arena I take him to), and he has been improving each time. In the beginning he was clocking in the mid 30's.. now he has gotten down to a 20.2 and he's just fast loping through, fast time in that pen is a 16.2. I feel like I should wait to enter him until he starts at least clocking in the 4D, but I feel like for me.. it's a mind game and I can screw myself if I'm not mentally there, so a part of me wants to enter to get both of our confidence up. Just so when it comes down to it, I'll be able to stick with the pressure and not screw up. Although since I have trained him myself from the ground up, I feel like we are a lot more in tune than I am used to and as long as I stay consistent, then everything else will come together. I would say it's really up to you and how you ride. Coming from riding the same horse for X amount of years, I think it would be a game changer when you're running a new horse.
I am sorry about the loss of your horse - I tear up everytime I think of not having my old faithful.Â
It is very different having a young one after all these years - I haven't really done exhibitions in over decade!Â
I probably had my mare a little further along, though, than you, it sounds like. I did a lot at home, but just don't have the space on good ground to really push her at home...but I've taken her to a friends house, too. Still not the same when you are at a race. :)
Sounds like you are doing good. I hope your hand heals fast - at least I didn't hurt anything but my pride...usually guiding her two handed, but now going to one hand to turn and she pushes off the barrel and goes anywhere...she's done that on an end pole, too. :)
Good luck to you! Thanks for the compliment on my mare! Â
Thanks, he was truly my one of a kind horse. It took me a good while to really find some kind of love and affection for my colt, but I am glad I stuck with it because we are becoming a pretty good team.
And yeah, I have taken him very slow and correct. I used to train cutting and barrel horses when I was younger, but I figured out I just would want to do it as a hobby. It just wasn't worth the money and the injuries. But this one, I have taken very slow and correct. I have him very well patterned on barrels, poles, goes out on trails alone and in groups, works cattle and has a pretty solid foundation. I just take him on exhibitions because he does like to look at things, but once he gets a good look or two, then its all business. Plus I am not an aggressive rider, I'm hoping with time, both of our confidence will building and we will make a formidable team. He is my first horse I have trained literally from the ground up (all the other ones I have trained were at least broke or green broke) so I am very proud on how far we have come. :)
https://youtu.be/MTFoa9WUaq8
My last run on him, Thanks for your kind words. :) I really appreciate it! | |
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Location: WA | I personally would do the expo, especially if she's futurity age. Maybe you aren't winning or getting your money back now, but by exhibitioning you aren't putting too much pressure on yourself or your colt to win and that will be better in the long run for her and a good selling point if you are planning to sell her. That's my personal opinion, but ultimately you know your horse and what your pocket book can afford. | |
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