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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
  
Location: In The Snow, AZ | I am another one who is riding the couch in to the sunset. But shoot, if watching those NFR girls doesn't make you want to be a better rider, i don't know what would. I am in awe, knocked barrels, wide turns, near falls and all. I can only imagine how they feel after a less than perfect run. These are the best barrel racers around, whom have worked tirelessly to be where they are, riding amazing horses that I, personally, could only dream of riding.
The fact that they knock barrels make them human. The fact that they are running in the NFR makes us all think they're super-human. | |
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 Guinea Pig Herder
Posts: 5124
Location: Minnesota | CYA Ranch - 2013-12-08 11:59 PM
Please dont start knocking how girls are riding.
AMEN!! Obviously these girls are outstanding riders with outstanding horses or they wouldn't be there!!!! | |
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 On the Countdown
Posts: 2934
Location: Texas | loflin06 - 2013-12-09 8:07 AM There is no doubt that this week has been a struggle for a few of us. This pen is the toughest pen you will run in all year and and for me personally I'm have a little tough time getting my timing right. On top of that we all have 500 people texting and commenting on how to ride, what we are doing wrong and how they hate what we are wearing. What you don't see is the top 15 are busy from 5am until 11 pm working, meeting with fans and special needs children, meetings and a million other things that pull us in a million different directions. We are blessed to be here but please keep in mind and respect that we all deserve to be here, worked our butts off, made sacrafices that others wouldn't have the courage to and earned our spots because we are the top 15 in the world. This is a great group of girls that represent our sport very well. So if we hit ten barrels and fall off and disappoint you a with how we ride please at least respect us enough to stay positive. We are doing the best we can. :)
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 Wide Darn Open
Posts: 2141
| Girl don't be disappointed! You are a great rider riding a great horse and have accomplished so much to get there so just enjoy it and don't waste a minute on disappointment. Block out the negative and focus on doing what you guys do best. Praying for all you girls and your horses for safety and great runs! | |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | CYA Ranch - 2013-12-08 11:59 PM
Please dont start knocking how girls are riding.
 This attitude is why I mostly avoid BHW during the NFR. One of my favorite things is to critique the girls' runs with other people--it's educational-- but God forbid you point out someone's mistakes on here. | |
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 Water Weight Barbie
Posts: 6829
Location: Oz, Kansas |  | |
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 BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
Location: Bastrop, Texas | The bottom line is that the vast majority of fans are in awe at the skill and accomplishments of everyone who makes it to the NFR. I think most of us realize the immense pressure and sacrifices required to make it to the top. When the critiques morph into personal attacks or some sort of vendetta, that's where the line ought to be drawn. Critiques of performance in the arena is part of the job. Much of the time it is the critic who shows his/her lack of knowledge or skill. | |
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I AM being nice
Posts: 4396
Location: MD | HotbearLVR - 2013-12-09 8:58 AM
There's nothing wrong with us "armchair jockeys" critiquing the top riders in the world. Â That's what "fans" do. Â It happens in all truly professional sports....baseball, football, hockey, golf....you name it.
The pros in those sports can handle it just fine. Â If you don't have a fan base, you don't have a professional sport. Â I don't think the ladies running at the NFR are so hyper sensitive and fragile that they can't handle the critiques. Â Name one professional sport where it is taboo to critique the pros. Â They learn to let it run like water off a duck's back. Â If they didn't, they would go nuts. Â Seems to me this comes up every year, and I just shake my head.
I agree Scott that critiquing the top competitors, in any sport is a normal and useful thing. What I don't agree with is bashing them. To come on a forum such as this and say "What's up with so and so not running in there as hard as they can?" or "I don't know how so and so made the NFR with all the barrels they are hitting" is just preposterous to me. These girls didn't make it to the NFR by running in the T&M all year. They ran in many different arenas, different setups and their horses excelled in some and might not have faired so well in others. I've got a jam up mare who I have always said would get somebody to the NFR, but I'd be hard pressed to advise someone to make a run on her in the T&M. In order to go clean on her in that pen, you'd have to do so many things that you wouldn't be able to clock with horses that you may well have outrun all year. | |
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 Famous for Not Complaining
Posts: 8848
Location: Broxton, Ga | loflin06 - 2013-12-08 9:07 AM There is no doubt that this week has been a struggle for a few of us. This pen is the toughest pen you will run in all year and and for me personally I'm have a little tough time getting my timing right. On top of that we all have 500 people texting and commenting on how to ride, what we are doing wrong and how they hate what we are wearing. What you don't see is the top 15 are busy from 5am until 11 pm working, meeting with fans and special needs children, meetings and a million other things that pull us in a million different directions. We are blessed to be here but please keep in mind and respect that we all deserve to be here, worked our butts off, made sacrafices that others wouldn't have the courage to and earned our spots because we are the top 15 in the world. This is a great group of girls that represent our sport very well. So if we hit ten barrels and fall off and disappoint you a with how we ride please at least respect us enough to stay positive. We are doing the best we can. :)
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Miss Southern Sunshine
Posts: 7427
Location: South Central Florida | I wish we could have open and honest discussions here with out people getting "oh, you can't say that, they are at the NFR". I'm not, everyone knows that. But I'm not at the superbowl either and I can still talk about players performances.
Especially in a sport that is totaly dominated by men, we get up set if someone makes an observation. I know not every observation is correct, but this is a board about barrel racing!!!
I heard Joe B and Donny G both make remarks that were not mean, not meant to hurt anyones feelings but were totally accurate...like..he just over rode that bull, or what was he thinking??? Why take a risk like that in the early rounds... How can we ever be taken seriously...we might get our feelings hurt. AND that's how we learn.
I don't know all these horses but I can see. I would totally enjoy hearing TRUE HONEST opinions of the horses, the riders (I don't care about fasion so...)
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New Info Detective
Posts: 1551
| loflin06 - 2013-12-09 7:07 AM There is no doubt that this week has been a struggle for a few of us. This pen is the toughest pen you will run in all year and and for me personally I'm have a little tough time getting my timing right. On top of that we all have 500 people texting and commenting on how to ride, what we are doing wrong and how they hate what we are wearing. What you don't see is the top 15 are busy from 5am until 11 pm working, meeting with fans and special needs children, meetings and a million other things that pull us in a million different directions. We are blessed to be here but please keep in mind and respect that we all deserve to be here, worked our butts off, made sacrafices that others wouldn't have the courage to and earned our spots because we are the top 15 in the world. This is a great group of girls that represent our sport very well. So if we hit ten barrels and fall off and disappoint you a with how we ride please at least respect us enough to stay positive. We are doing the best we can. :)
Blows my mind to think someone would be texting any of you girls to point out what you are doing wrong or what you need to do on your next run.
How did you get to the NFR without their help?
Good luck on the remaining go rounds! | |
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Famous for Not Complaining
Posts: 8848
Location: Broxton, Ga | WrapSnap - 2013-12-08 10:12 AM HotbearLVR - 2013-12-09 8:58 AM There's nothing wrong with us "armchair jockeys" critiquing the top riders in the world. That's what "fans" do. It happens in all truly professional sports....baseball, football, hockey, golf....you name it.
The pros in those sports can handle it just fine. If you don't have a fan base, you don't have a professional sport. I don't think the ladies running at the NFR are so hyper sensitive and fragile that they can't handle the critiques. Name one professional sport where it is taboo to critique the pros. They learn to let it run like water off a duck's back. If they didn't, they would go nuts. Seems to me this comes up every year, and I just shake my head. I agree Scott that critiquing the top competitors, in any sport is a normal and useful thing. What I don't agree with is bashing them. To come on a forum such as this and say "What's up with so and so not running in there as hard as they can?" or "I don't know how so and so made the NFR with all the barrels they are hitting" is just preposterous to me. These girls didn't make it to the NFR by running in the T&M all year. They ran in many different arenas, different setups and their horses excelled in some and might not have faired so well in others. I've got a jam up mare who I have always said would get somebody to the NFR, but I'd be hard pressed to advise someone to make a run on her in the T&M. In order to go clean on her in that pen, you'd have to do so many things that you wouldn't be able to clock with horses that you may well have outrun all year.
Edited by CJE 2013-12-09 9:26 AM
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I AM being nice
Posts: 4396
Location: MD | CJE - 2013-12-09 9:23 AM
WrapSnap - 2013-12-08 10:12 AM HotbearLVR - 2013-12-09 8:58 AM There's nothing wrong with us "armchair jockeys" critiquing the top riders in the world. Â That's what "fans" do. Â It happens in all truly professional sports....baseball, football, hockey, golf....you name it.
The pros in those sports can handle it just fine. Â If you don't have a fan base, you don't have a professional sport. Â I don't think the ladies running at the NFR are so hyper sensitive and fragile that they can't handle the critiques. Â Name one professional sport where it is taboo to critique the pros. Â They learn to let it run like water off a duck's back. Â If they didn't, they would go nuts. Â Seems to me this comes up every year, and I just shake my head. I agree Scott that critiquing the top competitors, in any sport is a normal and useful thing. What I don't agree with is bashing them. To come on a forum such as this and say "What's up with so and so not running in there as hard as they can?" or "I don't know how so and so made the NFR with all the barrels they are hitting" is just preposterous to me. These girls didn't make it to the NFR by running in the T&M all year. They ran in many different arenas, different setups and their horses excelled in some and might not have faired so well in others. I've got a jam up mare who I have always said would get somebody to the NFR, but I'd be hard pressed to advise someone to make a run on her in the T&M. In order to go clean on her in that pen, you'd have to do so many things that you wouldn't be able to clock with horses that you may well have outrun all year.
You and me both Honey! I was actually told by a young man who knew my horse when he had been in another trainer's program that I couldn't &*$%ing ride and that I was making that horse look bad. I had to laugh and then said "Let me let you in on the joke son. I made that horse!" It was a classic moment! | |
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 Hugs to You
Posts: 7550
Location: In The Land of Cotton | Actually, it makes me sad to read where Christy even got on here and replied. To me, obviously she and the 14 other girls got to where they are because of their hardwork, determination and grit. Very few of us will ever have that. That is why she is one of the 15. Good runs, bad runs, who cares? They all deserve our respect. I hope that everyone of them at least wins a round. Might not happen, but each one of them deserves it.
One day, this rider is my favorite, the next day it might change. All I can say is that I enjoy watching them all.
Dream on Christy and keep reaching for the stars. Obviously, you are way ahead of the rest of us and a whole lot closer to making your dreams happen! | |
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 Uh....never mind
Posts: 2696
Location: Midwest Farmer's Daughter: Central Illinois | I sit in front of the TV on the floor. I pound, kick, yell, scream, even caught myself leaning & whipping last night. I have cheered about an awesome run & also been snarky about what someone did wrong. I am a fan.
I have pulled my horse into barrels. I have kicked them over myself. I haven't ridden to my potential at times. I have given my horse the wrong signals. Sometimes I override my horse instead of focusing on the basics. I am a barrel racer.
As a fan who is a barrel racer, I imagine myself in each girl's seat while they're running & I imagine the feeling when Fallon leans too hard going into the third, when Taylor is trying to pick up the first barrel & knocks it over the other way, when Lisa appears to not be hustling Louie as hard as I "would". I am not there, but I am there.
As for the OP, it wasn't worded in the best way. We're all human & we make mistakes - whether it's in the arena or on BHW.
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 Living within my means
Posts: 5128
Location: Randolph, Utah | I thought christy and movin looked good last night, beautiful run it was just a wicked fast round. Didn't they split 2nd in the 3rd round? I'd say she is pushing and riding well to place in the rounds. | |
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  Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | Swannranch - 2013-12-09 8:15 AM I wish we could have open and honest discussions here with out people getting "oh, you can't say that, they are at the NFR". I'm not, everyone knows that. But I'm not at the superbowl either and I can still talk about players performances.
Especially in a sport that is totaly dominated by men, we get up set if someone makes an observation. I know not every observation is correct, but this is a board about barrel racing!!!
I heard Joe B and Donny G both make remarks that were not mean, not meant to hurt anyones feelings but were totally accurate...like..he just over rode that bull, or what was he thinking??? Why take a risk like that in the early rounds... How can we ever be taken seriously...we might get our feelings hurt. AND that's how we learn.
I don't know all these horses but I can see. I would totally enjoy hearing TRUE HONEST opinions of the horses, the riders (I don't care about fasion so...)
I have to agree with this. I have been to shows, barrel races, ropings, you name it, and there are always people discussing the performers. I don't see why we can't NICELY ask about issues someone is having. I have seen ropers go for a month without missing, get to a big event and miss every steer. EVERYONE talks about it. WOW, I wonder what is going on, maybe his hand is hurt, maybe its a new horse etc etc. It takes thick skin to get to the top, and requires it in the real world as well. Let's not be nasty in our remarks of those at the NFR, but we don't need to shun those that are curious as to why it is not going so well for those there also. | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 602
| I couldnt imagine running in this kind of arena...... Its the toughest one out there. If you noticed that some girls will start their horses out wide for a few rounds till they can dial in their horses on the pattern. By round 8 most of the horses will rub the paint off the barrels. Loflin is taking a great and safe approach..... clean runs! Fallon is having a rough time on the barrels but it seems like her horse just wants to get in there and work hard. Im sure we have all experienced a horse that wants to shoulder a barrel, it can be difficult pushing those stubborn barrel horses off. Also the TM arena is short, small, and those barrels are super close to the fence. | |
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BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
Location: Bastrop, Texas | WrapSnap - 2013-12-09 9:12 AM HotbearLVR - 2013-12-09 8:58 AM There's nothing wrong with us "armchair jockeys" critiquing the top riders in the world. That's what "fans" do. It happens in all truly professional sports....baseball, football, hockey, golf....you name it.
The pros in those sports can handle it just fine. If you don't have a fan base, you don't have a professional sport. I don't think the ladies running at the NFR are so hyper sensitive and fragile that they can't handle the critiques. Name one professional sport where it is taboo to critique the pros. They learn to let it run like water off a duck's back. If they didn't, they would go nuts. Seems to me this comes up every year, and I just shake my head. I agree Scott that critiquing the top competitors, in any sport is a normal and useful thing. What I don't agree with is bashing them. To come on a forum such as this and say "What's up with so and so not running in there as hard as they can?" or "I don't know how so and so made the NFR with all the barrels they are hitting" is just preposterous to me. These girls didn't make it to the NFR by running in the T&M all year. They ran in many different arenas, different setups and their horses excelled in some and might not have faired so well in others. I've got a jam up mare who I have always said would get somebody to the NFR, but I'd be hard pressed to advise someone to make a run on her in the T&M. In order to go clean on her in that pen, you'd have to do so many things that you wouldn't be able to clock with horses that you may well have outrun all year.
I agree with you too, Andy. In professional sports, the athletes realize their existence depends on the fans, otherwise there wouldn't be a demand. Unfortunately, this means they have to suck it up and develop a thick skin, because a lot of fans are ass holes. It just comes with the territory. Granted, very few barrel racers make a good living at it, but if they are "professional", then by definition they depend on a fan base directly or indirectly. I bet Christy has learned this along the way....that it just comes with the territory. I think it's pretty darned neat that she comes on here and keeps in touch with BHW, by the way!
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 972
Location: Texas! | Â I tend to agree with the posts on here that we are a little quick to get on the defensive on this topic.
Edited by WYOracer 2013-12-09 10:05 AM
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