This past weekend was full of ups and downs and just general craziness.
Saturday we (Jill and I) ran at a benefit race that was put on by my friend Lacee. I set up a vendor booth, and sold some jewelry shortly thereafter. That part was fun.
My horses, however, didn’t work so great. Shuttle ducked in front of the second barrel, because I rode her, according to Jill, like a jackass. I won’t argue with her because that girl can jockey horses like no other. Gump ran off at the second barrel, which he has never really done, but I am pretty sure his mouth has to be sore, since he’s got a shattered tooth in his head. I got to the arena at about 10 and we were done and I was home by 7:15 that night- though I was dragging when I got home!
Sunday I was so tired. I had to go back to the same arena for a BRAT barrel race that day. I managed to get to the arena by 11 or so, entered and made my booth pretty again. This particular barrel race is always really big- I don’t believe I’ve ever entered and had them get less than 300 girls. Which makes for a really. LONG. Day. I did sell my favorite jewelry piece and got to visit with a lot of people so that part was fun.
I didn’t run my first horse until about 9 something that night. Shuttle made a better run and had it not been for a malady of errors on the part of her jockey she probably should have placed in the 3d. But instead we settled for a check in the 5d. Gump was only slightly better than he had been the day before, so I’m not altogether sure what is going on there, but I hope to have it figured out before we run on Thursday.
Today we’ll be packing up, dotting our i’s and crossing our t’s as tomorrow we head out, first thing in the morning for the Better Barrel Races Finals in OKC. I am very excited as this is the first time I’ve actually gotten to attend, but the 4th time or something like that, that I’ve qualified. I have no goal other than to have my horses be better with their first runs on Thursday than they were on Sunday and for them to be better on Friday than they were on Thursday. I have only to win another $370 in order to have won enough to cover all my entry fees, and frankly that is quite doable. I have to keep reminding myself that I’m basically riding two colts who, between the two of them, have maybe made 50 runs combined. Shuttle started to hit the top of the 2d before she was injured last year, and I expect she can be there again, assuming I can pull my head out of my posterior and actually help her, get out of her way and stop overthinking.
I hope everyone has a great day. Now if you’ll excuse me I’ve got to get busy!
My Gosh you are one busy cowgirl!! Sounds like you are doing a wonderful job, and if that’s all you need to break even, you are very lucky!
And you are selling jewelry! That is GREAT!
I wish you and your colts best of luck in OKC! Go get ’em cowgirl!
Hey,
I realize you don’t know me well enough to take my advice, but you’ll do a lot better if you don’t let yourself think at all when you step into the arena. Beforehand, visualize a positive experience, everything going well. Picture the whole ride being perfect. Once you get into the saddle though, don’t think at all.
Your muscle memory is far better, faster, and more accurate than your brain when it comes down to direction. That’s why there are people who can type 100+ wpm. They’re not thinking about each key as they depress it. Their muscle memory is directing their fingers while the brain works on what it is they want to say.
Just my two cents.
So glad I found your blog!
uninvoked is way smart you should listen to her!!!!
That is what i tell her all the time….”she thinks too much; just feel!!!”
wishing you the best of luck!