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You are here: Home / barrel racing / It Wasn’t Pretty

It Wasn’t Pretty

February 23, 2010 by ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~ 6 Comments

But it got the job done.

Last Thursday we went to a barrel race, Gump and I. We won a check. It wasn’t a very big one, and we were way off the pace, partly because I was behind him the entire time, but partly because I was halfway scared of letting him really run in that arena. I know. I gotta get over it. But the check was big enough to pay for my fees and my diesel and buy supper at the Whataburger (if that’s what I’d have wanted to do with the money). By the way, Whataburger is a Texas tradition and if you’ve never eaten at one, you’re missing out. They now dot the South. I digress.

Last night we went to another barrel race. At a new facility. Well the facility isn’t new, but it’s under new ownership and it’s new to me. So there. One of the best parts of being where I am, is that there are barrel races to go to almost every night, somewhere nearby. Last night’s drive? Twenty Two miles. There isn’t even a gas station within 22 miles where I live!

The ground was good, I saw some good friends, made some new ones, and generally had fun.

And we won another check. Albeit it was an ugly run; again. It got the job done, paid for my fees and my fuel. I really don’t like going to barrel races and running at the bottom. Though I’m sure there are some people in my world that believe that’s the only place I’ll ever run. Whatevs. I’m inclined to believe in bigger and better things for myself so I will keep plugging away. Though it would be nice to stop fighting my head. Any sports psychologists out there? Part of it is me having expectations that my horse simply can’t meet right now, and part of it is me just not having made enough runs consistently. I have to tell myself that it takes run, after run, after run, after run, after…well you get the picture, to get into some timing and rhythm with my four-footed friend, and so I must continue to persevere.

In the meantime, I will take the small victories- the fact that my horse didn’t run off with me. That he turned a pretty second barrel last week, even though I asked late. That we are beginning to tune into each other more and that while we work on being “together” I can finance my trips along the way.

Today it’s snowing. Right this very minute. At the obscenely early hour in which I awoke. I don’t really mind being an early bird, but this is way too early. Especially for a day when it’s snowing. Now if you’ll excuse me, I think I must try and go back to bed.

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Filed Under: barrel racing, horses, life Tagged With: barrel racing, horses, life

About ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~

Jenn Zeller is the creative mind and boss lady behind The South Dakota Cowgirl. She is an aspiring horsewoman, photographer, brilliant social media strategist and lover of all things western.

After a brief career in the investment world to support her horse habit (and satisfy her mother, who told her she had to have a “real” job after graduating college), she finally took the leap and stepped away from a regular income; trading the business suit once and for all for cowgirl boots, a hat, and jeans. She has not looked back.

When Jenn first moved to The DX Ranch on the South Dakota plains, she never imagined she’d find herself behind a camera lens capturing an authentic perspective of ranching, and sharing it with others. Jenn has always been called to artistry, and uses music, writing, images, home improvement, and her first true love of horses to express her ranching passion.

Horses are the constant thread and much of her work centers around using her unique style of writing to share her horsemanship journey with others in publications such as CavvySavvy, the AQHA Ranching Blog, the West River Eagle, the family ranch website, and her own website.

Using photography to illustrate her stories has created other opportunities -- Jenn’s brand “The South Dakota Cowgirl” has grown to the level of social media “Influencer”. This notoriety has led to work with Duluth Trading Company, Budweiser, Wyoming Tourism, Vice, Circle Z Ranch and Art of the Cowgirl, to name a few. She also serves as a brand ambassador for Woodchuck USA, Arenus Equine Health, Triple Crown Feed and Just Strong fitness apparel. Her photography has been featured by Instagram, Apple, TIME Magazine, The Huffington Post, and Oprah Magazine. Jenn’s work has been published internationally, has been seen in several books and has graced the covers of several magazines.

Jenn became a social media influencer by accident when she started to explore Instagram as a way to share her life on the ranch with folks that don’t get to experience it. It’s grown into an incredible platform that she uses to empower women, create an environment for self improvement and share life on the ranch.

When she’s not working, she loves to drink coffee, play with her naughty border collie named Copper, start ranch colts, and run about the country chasing cans. Her mother still thinks she doesn’t have a “real” job.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. della says

    February 23, 2010 at 10:54 am

    Hubby is in your great state today in Fort Hood on business. I hope he took a heavy jacket 🙂

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    • ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~ says

      February 23, 2010 at 10:59 am

      It really isn’t that cold. I fed in pj pants, a long sleeved t-shirt and a pullover- fleece and was perfectly comfortable. Though he might not be as accustomed to cold as myself! I hope he stays warm and avoids the nasty mess on the roads that is sure to ensue!

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  2. pony girl says

    February 24, 2010 at 12:40 am

    Oh, well finishing with a check sounds good to me, LOL! Glad you are at least getting some runs under your belt. I think you hit the nail on the head wtih practice, practice…it’s muscle memory and teamwork, getting that feel together, making it second nature.
    I have a lot to learn in my lessons right now, I have so many new things going on, beginning with a new horse I have only handled and ridden twice! On top of learning a new style of riding. Give yourself time. Take breaks, hit the trail once in a while, keep a peaceful mind. Use the power of positive thinking and visualization.

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  3. Maureen@IslandRoar says

    February 24, 2010 at 12:13 pm

    Funny, you’re getting snow in Texas; we’re only getting rain in New England.
    I love the shot of you on your horse. God, I’d love to see one of these events!
    And love the shot of Zach’s hands too!

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  4. Sharron Marshall says

    February 25, 2010 at 3:55 am

    Love the photo. How big is Gump, he looks huge there. I have the similar fears with Rosie, I want to go faster, I want to trust that she won’t take off, i want to feel that she can do it & that I won’t fall or cause injury to her by letting her go for it. Each time we go out we are getting better together, although I’m no where near your riding skills.
    Keep going – you can do it.

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  5. BrownEyedCowgirls says

    February 25, 2010 at 1:24 pm

    Gump looks like he has a tremendously long stride. Makes rating correctly a bit tricky huh? Moon is that way. Just doesn’t look like he is running at all and when he clocks, everyone is like, HUH?

    I’m so anxious to get out of this office and get to riding. Barrel racings galore are fixing to kick off…I’ve missed the first couple. As many BRs as there are around here, I’m going to have to get humping on another horse or two or I’ll end up running Moon’s hooves off-LOL.

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