Anxiety: Why can you have a ton of talent and the best horse, but still sabotage your run? And what can be done about it? Don’t let your thoughts get in your way!
First off, why are you so nervous and anxious about running barrels? What are you worried about? Once you figure this out, I bet your barrel runs will get better and better. You need to honestly search your soul for the reason you get so worked up. Then you need to decide that the reason for this nervousness is not a good one and commit to no longer feeling this way. I have a list of some common reasons that get in the way, but by no means all of them.
Remember, you want to win or do well, not you must win or do well. Once you figure out that barrel racing is not life or death, you can relax. If your run does not go as you would have liked, yes you will feel disappointed, but it is not the end of the world. Your loved ones will still love you. Your true friends will still be your true friends. And there will be another barrel race soon.
If you don’t feel like you belong at a race, go get some help. There are lots of trainers and teachers out there who are more than happy to help. It may be better for you to invest your hard earned money in lessons or training, rather than the next entry fee. Always remember, even the best in the world have been where you are in your barrel racing skills. Even world champions can have a bad day. Use your mistakes in your run as a motivation to learn. Don’t let it get you down. Don’t let thinking about a bad run become your self fulfilling prophecy.
Watching the runners before you can also affect your mind set. Don’t worry about another’s fast time. Don’t let another horse’s slip or hit barrel make you fret. You need to focus on you. Make the best and smoothest run you can make. Smooth is fast. Do not doubt your training, your horse, or your preparedness. Focus on making the best run YOU can make. Don’t worry about the competition.
Losing money is not fun. Talk to any tough barrel racer and you will know that everyone has to pay their dues. Sometimes you will hear a tough talk about losing entry fees and being in a slump. It may be because of injury, soreness, training issues, mental games, being off or just plain bad luck. If you have to win to pay your way, it will decrease your chances of winning one.
Too much stress. This will cause you to make mistakes. Maybe a break from barrel racing will help you and your horse. Or just maybe a visit to the vet or your horse’s teeth or his shoeing or his feed or his training or his condition, etc, etc, etc. Maybe you need to go and work with a trainer or going to a clinic, will break this streak you are in. Switching your focus to making your best run is way more productive.
My horse has quirks! Well, most have some sort of personality. If all you are thinking about is the bad thing your horse has done in the past, you can make it happen again. If he does spook or jump, try to remain calm or you may make the problem worse. I have seen tense riders worrying about the last time their horse hit a barrel or ran by one actually cause the problem again. Get comfortable with some anxiety. You see, it is not about getting rid of the butterflies in your stomach, it is about making them fly in formation! If you are not at least a little excited and anxious about barrel racing, you probably are not having any fun. So, learn to enjoy the barrel race.
If I could only tell you one thing to help you reduce the stress and anxiety of barrel racing, it would be to be prepared. There is no substitute for preparation. Is your horse ready to go? Are you ready to go? Is your rig ready to go? Remember, it is a 4D. That should take off some pressure right? Barrel racing is fun. So until next month, just relax and enjoy the ride.