Humbling Through Rodeo

Rodeo is a humbling sport, but it is also a sport that plays with your mind. Sure, its about the talent you have or how nice your horse is but it is also how well you handle yourself in a rough patch. High school rodeo taught me a lot from how to win, how to lose, and how much I relied on my parents and sister for support. So going off to college my first year was changeling know that I would not have my parents to help me when I needed it. There are a few things that have helped me keep my mental game strong.

1.    It just you and three barrels. I’ve figured out the hard way that if you are so worried about how your competition does then you have already got yourself beat. Before any run I always remind myself that it is a race against me and three barrels. If you can’t get around three barrels clean then you don’t even have a chance of placing.

2.    The attitude of the people around you will affect your attitude. If your hanging around people who are very negative or get frustrated and mad easily then you'll eventually start to form an attitude like that. I try to surround myself with positive people.

3.    NEVER give up. No matter how your run goes you never give up. I’ve been at a finals where everyone but one girl hit a barrel. The girls that quit after they hit a barrel could have placed. Rodeo is a unpredictable sport so don't sell yourself short. Even in a bad run there should always be something positive to pick out.

Everyone has different ways that will keep them in the right mind set. Its about finding out what works for you and sticking with it.