When I started roping I didn’t have any idea what it took to be a team roper. I had ridden most of my life and trained some, but roping was a totally different deal, especially at 47 years old. I didn’t know that there were actually people you could go to for lessons. I was just desperate to rope so I went wherever there was a practice that was open to everyone.
I didn’t know how dangerous the sport could be. I was a wreck looking for a place to happen. I found a friend who started coaching me, and he was about as dangerous as I was. I roped everything, the steer, my horse, myself and sometimes all the above. At one practice a lady rode up to me and told me I needed to go get some lessons before I hurt someone. I didn’t like her attitude, besides I didn’t think she was that great. LOL!
I found a book by the Camarillos and began to ask a lot of questions of people who seemed to know what they were doing. Some would give me advice and others would simply look at me like I was crazy and shake their head. The advice sounded good and I would try it. Sometimes it worked but not always. Once I took a lesson, I had to unlearn some bad habits. I would get it right in my head, but then struggle for weeks to catch anything.
Recently a good friend came and stayed at my place for a few weeks. We roped almost every day. He has roped for years and is considerably better than I am so he began coaching me. At first it was great. I loved the practical help I was getting and everything he was telling me made sense. I started to feel overwhelmed with all the information and instruction. One day I said “You can only tell me one thing today, my brain is on overload and cannot comprehend anymore.” He understood and we had a good laugh.
I thought how life becomes much like roping. We all want to do it well, yet in the struggle to do well, we forget that there is a coach! He is the perfect coach and He has given us His word, the Bible. The BIBLE (Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth). Proverbs 3:4,5 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, don’t lean on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your pathways straight.” He knows what is best for your life. Trust Him and learn the right way first. Rope great! Be coachable!
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