08/20/2026
Without Challenges We Don't Improve.
I worked for a trainer that was very critical of what people should enter. For example there was a very nice calf roper that stayed there. He worked very hard at it. He had a good horse, the rig,and ability to go. Thats what he wanted to do in that stage. The trainers were very critical of him entering the Pro Rodeos. Not that he didnt place some etc just they didnt think his ability was there. Now I was just the c**t rider at this point, but I heard it enough it took years for me to over come the not second guessing what I was capable of entering. I also do remember thinking 🤔 " its his money and how is he ever going to reach his potential being a big fish in a small pond at the amature rodeos they wanted him to enter." Our mindset is either a team player or your biggest enemy.
Rodeo in itself is such a humbling sport. Outsiders just think " you just need a good horse". Well I hate to the break the illusion but everyone has a good horse, and there are getting more and more that have great horses! There are so many outside factors involved that affect the run. It takes time and sometimes alot of sucking to get good at it....
Im at the sucking stage. Last night I bounced off the fence at Caldwell on the first ( lets be real Ive bounced off a few fences) . Did it bother me? Yes, I truly felt confident in what my run was going to look like. That doesnt mean I felt confident I was going to win the rodeo, or even make the short round. I was confident in the building blocks I had laid to have that be a building run. Building blocks meaning; vet work, positioning changes, bit changes , training yada yada yada.... Anyway after not turning the first I did feel; defeated, frustrated, and some remorse for entering though close to home, a very tough rodeo. But I did find some good/improvements from the night, and I believe strongly in my mares ability. I realized this is all part of the bigger goal at hand.
Would I have loved just come out guns ablazing winning? Absolutely! But those arent the cards Ive been dealt. And at the end of the day would I be happier out here with the excitment of ;big money, the best horses in the world, and just flat trying to get better. Or sitting on the couch at home talking about " when I can enter". Ive spent a large chunk of the summer on the couch (due to injury) its not for me. Dont get me wrong this post is for me. But if you are struggling, you're never alone. Even when I get through this, someone else will be struggling too.I wont just be leaving you behind. Lol Also dont wait to do things. I mean even when we feel prepared, as I did last night, things can go wrong....But what if they go right????
Atleast once a year enter something you think is above your head, or out of your comfort zone. Challenges are how we improve. "Don't be afraid of the punch, be afraid of not getting up again" .
Cheers friends 🧡 lets keep clawing at those goals that scare us! 💪
