13/01/2022
Setting Goals for Winners
Outside of handling horses, one of my favorite pastimes has always been watching football, basketball, and especially the Olympics. The average person watching the NFL or another sports network, on the other hand, does not see half of what these athletes accomplish. We don't see the countless hours these athletes spend on training, diet, technique, and, yes, critiques.
Competing in the Olympics in Calgary, Alberta, Canada was one of my fondest experiences from my rodeo career. Being around by so many outstanding athletes served as a stark reminder of the importance of having a winning mindset. An Olympian dedicates their entire life to winning an Olympic gold medal. They don't just wake up one day and decide to go for gold. They put in a lot of time practicing, critiquing, and seeking to improve. Those that return have dedicated four years to training in order to compete in the next Olympics.
I held myself to the same mental standards as a barrel racer and a horseman. It takes time and effort to train a horse. You must not only have drive and dedication, but you must also develop a winning mentality that is beneficial to both you and your horse.
Where to Start
Nobody begins their career as a world champion. Despite having grown up near horses, I had never participated in a barrel race. I went to a rodeo in Louisiana while I was in high school. I knew I belonged in the ring with the barrel racers as I watched them compete.
The following day, I tracked down my father's roping saddle, acquired one of his horses, and set up a single barrel in my grandmother's hay pasture. I was determined to be a barrel racer despite not having access to an arena or a trainer.
Set little goals for yourself at first so that you can acquire confidence as you work toward your primary goal. If you're a new barrel racer, your initial goal can be as easy as putting on a successful exhibition. Though it may not appear to be much, this achievement might help propel you forward in the long run.
Keep setting Goals
It's all too simple to set aside a few goals and just keep riding once you've accomplished a couple. Don't give up on setting objectives! Goals provide us with direction and provide us with something to aim for. Continue to create reasonable goals that you and your horse can achieve as you develop. If you're a local jackpot runner, you might set goals to reduce your time and advance through the divisions. If you're used to running in 3D, make a conscious effort to run in 2D. Make it a goal to place at bigger shows if you're winning in the 1D at lesser shows.
My objectives grew as my riding skills increased. They went from winning a barrel race in my city to competing in a rodeo across the country. I chose the rodeos I wanted to compete in that year when I set my objective of going to the National Finals Rodeo. On my final trip to the NFR, I was already planning which rodeos I wanted to win the next year. Individual triumphs propelled me to the NFR 11 times over four decades. My horse training sessions were planned around how I wanted them to perform. I might not have been the winner if I hadn't been diligent in my training and goal-setting.
One of my objectives was to be on the lookout for my next champion at all times. You don't have to be the only one who sets objectives for themselves. R.E. Josey had an uncanny ability to predict future champions. As you may have heard in one of my numerous stories, he has assisted me in finding several of my wonderful horses.
Your objectives should be progressive, increasing in difficulty over time. Prepare to push your objectives to new heights as you and your horse concentrate on honing your skills and fine-tuning your runs. Don't forget to celebrate the minor triumphs in the midst of the major challenges. The practice pen hours are what get you to the pay window.
