The strong get tougher

When you go through a losing spell, there seems to be nothing harder, more consuming then the feeling of disappointment.  It can encompass your world, evaporate your confidence, and make you wish to never walk in an arena again.  Walking back to the trailer, head down, trying to determine 'Was it me? Was it my horse?'  We start analyzing every detail and manage to talk hours about a run that was only 18 seconds long.  Regaining your stride together takes a good combination of training, riding, and mental preparation. The winnings will start rolling in once consistency of good positive habits are established.  Note that when I say 'positive' I'm referring to anything that will make you or your horse better competitors.  I work hard to learn how to be better and do better, to be the very best possible version of myself, and although I may fall here and there, I keep trying.  That's 'Cowgirl' to me.

If you have rode with me recently, you have heard me spout off about conquering your mental game.  It's not just about 'Think Positive.' Sure I can think positive, the sun will come up tomorrow, I will get it the next time, blah blah,much like traditional motivational posters you find in a school gym.  The sport of barrel racing isn't just about ourselves as an individual; we have an equine partner that encompasses more than 3/4 of our brains.  Add multiple horses or futurity horses and the amount of focus points adds up. Which reminds to mention I'm pretty excited for my little red corvette and plan on sending off entries for the 2014 Sand Cup Futurity!!

Keeping myself focused in the mind and body enables me to make the correct reaction quickly if my horse gets out of position.  I have yet to perfect my approach every run.  Usually on my first barrel with Stella it takes a few runs on the same size course to be able to get it right, and I'm working on becoming more consistent with this.  She has turned me into an honest rider.  It's annoyingly wonderful and has me completely consumed with feeling my muscles react and actually accomplish what my brain says to.  So many times I would swear I picked my hand up, and so many times the video showed me not doing what I swore I did, or thought about doing.  Or knowing I used my inside leg only to find out my foot was inches off.  This is when I started focusing on good positive habits.  I began to ride every horse, make every turn, exactly how I wanted in my head.  I strengthened my body and positioned myself correct in every turn so when I walked in an the arena, under pressure, my body would react with well-balanced muscle memory.   For years I've been working on what my mind was thinking, and even longer to make this mind and body connection.  Now that I am seeing the results, it makes me eager to go even further.

Going through a tough time in the arena is never fun, but if you are willing to learn and work hard, success can be achieved.  There are always lessons to be learned and within every athlete lies multiple steps and stages.  Training, competitions, diet, traveling, diet while traveling, are just a fraction of the responsibilities we have to master and there are always new and better ideas.  If you legitimately love to learn or teach, then I want to ride with you.  I am the girl who took summer school during college, because I wanted to.  The knowledge I gained riding various horses and riding with numerous others;  some even in other fields such as dressage, cutting, jumping, etc., have been the leading tools in my own personal success. Being able to share this with fellow barrel racers and helping them succeed never gets old.

There is something to be said about those barrel racers who last around the industry through their old ages.  They have learned to make winners and ride winners.  The strongest in talent and mental toughness combined makes for beautiful watching.  And I love watching beautiful runs.

Take some time to learn your mind, teach yourself to relax and keeping focus on 3 barrels, you, your horse.