Visualizing Your Barrel Run
Ok, now I’m going to get all California, “new-age-y” on you, and talk about visualization techniques. (Well, I’m not really from California, and this really isn’t “new age-y” but you understand what I’m talking about.
Visualization is a technique that sports psychologists teach us as a way to see ourselves completing a task successfully. In short, visualization means that if you can mentally imagine every foot, every step, and every turn of your run – you can make it happen.
It might sound weird, but it really works. Seeing that perfect run in your mind before you set foot in the arena can help you remember all the steps you need to take to accomplish it in reality. In other words, you lead yourself through the entire run – start to finish, every step – and you’ll be able to see the exact steps you’ll take on the real run. Visualize coming through the gate, heading for the first barrel, getting set in the saddle, finding the pocket and making the turn, then on to the next barrel – lifting the reins, finding the pocket around that next barrel and onto the third.
Imagine your horse under you, feel the power as he tucks his butt as he prepares to turn, then flexes around that last barrel and kicks in the turbojets as you head for the finish line. You’ll sometimes hear the first barrel referred to as the “money barrel,” because if you make this first turn correctly, you’re “in the money.” Your approach to this barrel should be aggressive – it should start you off with a bang, so to speak, and set the tone for the rest of your run.
The problem with being overly aggressive with this first barrel is that your horse can blow past it – causing lengthy time delays as you desperately try to get him back on course. Or, he drops his shoulder, turns into the barrel too fast, and knocks it over – giving you a 5 second penalty.
To make the turn properly, you need to stay as close to the barrel as you can without knocking it over, all the while maintaining forward motion as fast as you can. As you come out of the turn around the first barrel, you should be again centered in the saddle. Many riders lean forward on the run between the barrels – I wouldn’t worry about that until the entire run is second nature for both of you – you should focus on your balance and position in the turns first.
Your approach to the second barrel is similar to the first, but in reverse. In other words this next turn is backwards from the turn you just made. As he makes his turn and heads for the third barrel, your weight should come back to center as you line him up for the final barrel. The third barrel turn will be in the same direction as the second so your set-up will be essentially the same – balanced on approach, collect and rate about 5 to 7 feet before the barrel, make a smooth turn and head for home. If you can visualize all that, you can make it happen in reality.