Double Dollar Finals 2015
I hope you all are enjoying the long weekend! I competed on Thursday and Friday at the Double Dollar Finals in Thorsby, AB. Three runs and two horses gave me six chances to put together solid runs and bring home some cash and prizes! I succeed in the latter and learned a valuable lesson.
To be honest I learned quite a few lessons. I went into the Finals, nervous. I felt unprepared because I had been unable to run Dakota since having his teeth done and hadn’t had the quality rides that reassure me. I tried to push that fear aside and trust him. Trust myself to ride the way I needed to, and trust my training. The first run was not at all confidence building for either of us. ( to watch the video follow the link ---> http://youtu.be/e0OKL8s1t8k ) I let him coast in and rated too early, causing him to start the turn a stride too soon. Because of that and his honesty, He did what I asked then had to take another step out on the backside instead of leaving straight and tight. This set us up tight for second and I had to really ride to get him over then let him turn too early, again causing him to take a step out. Not riding deep enough into second was cause of the issues I had been having with him coming off wide and fighting the bit. When he scrambled leaving he would hit himself behind then hit the bit and panic. I had tried to remedy all of this by doing his teeth and getting him new boots. Without being able to make runs, he didn’t have a chance to build new muscle memory and feel the relief.
So I made a split second decision and sat up, eased him on and talked to him through the rest of the run without pushing him. It cost us a lot of time. I chose to make that sacrifice to reassure him that I wouldn’t pull on him if he got scared or we made a mistake. It cost me any chance of placing in the average. But I felt it was necessary. I was devastated and beat myself up at the trailer for not jockeying better and riding by another stride, then I let it go. There was nothing I could do to change it, I would just have to do better tomorrow.
I still had two runs to make on my Black horse and needed to clear my mind of doubt and refocus. (I just started running him again two months ago after 5 years off) We made a tidy smooth first run and rode to all of my points. Our turns were smooth and snappy but I could have sent him in harder to first. We ended up last hole in the 2D. (To watch this run follow the link---> http://youtu.be/XmsbPJbpzGY) My second run I rode a stride deep on second to try and ensure we were clean. It cost us but we were still 2 tenths faster than the first run. (This run here ---> http://youtu.be/Z-WBK2OAwws ) They still had half of the Open to run for the second go Friday morning and Dakota and I would do our second run then. I felt renewed confidence in my ability to ride the way I trained.
My day didn’t end after my third run though, I worked on a couple horses then had to wait to pick up my dad from the airport and it was after 1 before I finally got home to bed. When my alarm went off at 6 I felt like I had been hit by a truck. I drug my sore, tired body out of bed, loaded up and jumped in the truck to make the hour and half drive back. I was in the first 30 girls and they were starting at 9. I needed to be there by 8 to have enough time to saddle and warm up. I got there at 8:35.
I’m not as young as I used to be, and I’m definitely old enough to know how important sleep is to both my mental and physical performance abilities. I felt like a zombie all day. I was sluggish in my response time, my thoughts were scattered and my horse felt awful! I was panicked about not being prepared and rushing to get ready. During warm up we struggled to even extend at a nice trot and Dakota picked up the wrong lead three times before getting it right. He felt heavy in my hands, it was a struggle to get him motivated and I got frustrated a lot sooner than I normally would. I lost my temper during warm up and had to literally stop riding. I got off and hand walked him because I knew my emotions were beginning to make him nervous.
Our run wasn’t awful, but it wasn’t good. (watch ---> http://youtu.be/sMMfaCsKcnM ) I rode harder to first but rated too soon again, causing him to step out and making it harder to get over for second. I didn’t ride deep enough into second again and he stepped out, this time I kept riding and tried to just urge him through the stall without pulling on him. We were way slow and I was way frustrated. I got off and uncinched him, gave him a rub and tearful smile, then led him back to the trailer. I told him I was happy with him and frustrated with myself. I apologized for being scattered and reassured him we would figure it out. Did any of this make him feel better? I don’t know. He did lick and yawn as I talked to him. But mostly, it made me feel better. I gave myself permission to screw up. I forgave myself for being tired and nervous. I forgave myself for not being able to ride the way I wanted and knew I could.
I ended up deciding not to make a third run on him knowing we were too slow for the average anyway. I didn’t want to reinforce the habit more and felt too tired to do what I needed to. And if I’m completely honest a little defeated. I had one run left to make on Black for the Average and wanted to go in guns blazing. I did, and choked. Somehow I lost my reins going to first and was late asking for the turn, he turned when I finally did ask and we finished the run to end up 4th overall in the 3D average. Running my old faithful gelding won me $600+ and a cooler!
Truthfully though, the most valuable part of the Finals for me was learning these three lessons the hard way;
Being physically and mentally rested and prepared to compete is vital! I’m not 18 anymore and getting no sleep then rushing to warm up and prepare is not an option. I need to allow myself time to relax and focus.
My emotions are my responsibility and will negatively affect my horse if I don’t deal with them before stepping in the saddle. Life is hectic and stressful; some handle the pressure better than others. I was humbled by my own fear and frustration.
Sometimes you have to be prepared for everything to fall apart so you can figure out how to put it back together stronger.
This last lesson was actually first introduced on another horse I'm training Wednesday night before Finals. When running different horses you tend to find the holes in your training quicker. When more than one are doing the same thing, it’s you. I took Holly, a mare that a friend wanted me to start for her, to her first jackpot. After two months of work away from the pattern and minimal pattern work, I felt she was ready to start running. She handled it very well! The ground was deeper, she had never run through an open gate, seen barrel covers or timers. Still she went running into first with only slight hesitation at the timer and had a nice smooth barrel. Second however we cut off, again not riding one stride deeper before beginning the turn. She, like Dakota, stepped out leaving it. It was a minor blip, but definitely rider error. I had taught her to go where I put her and she did exactly that. I was happy with her try. (watch it ---> http://youtu.be/aDnj220eWoE )
I’ve spent a couple days reflecting and have a plan in place to get back on track. I’m planning to go to a jackpot on Tuesday and will update you on our progress after that! Remember that each run is a test, it shows you where you need to study and improve. Time to do some homework!
