Patterns for Precision – Get on Track to Greater Accuracy & SPEED!
Whether you call them patterns, exercises, or drills – there’s no denying they’re an important part of every barrel racers program.
And it’s no wonder – high degrees of quickness & precision are required to beat the clock.
Our horses must not only understand their responsibilities for staying on track around the barrels, but ALSO use their bodies in a specific ways that puts the odds in our favor for efficiency and speed.
In The First 51 Barrel Racing Exercises book, I explained the power of patterns and WHY they are SO important because of how our horse’s minds work.
I also included how-to’s for using the power of patterns to achieve even more positive results.
The truth is, that ‘body control‘ is just the beginning.
We can perform drills until we (and our horses) are blue in the face, but if we don’t use PSYCHOLOGY as we apply them, we’ll be spinnin’ our wheels.
ONLY once our horses become engaged with us in a two-way conversation that allows them to think (vs. be a puppet) – will their greatest potential be unlocked. 🔒
It’s not enough to have communication only going one way.
What we REALLY need, is to create a connection that goes from our horse’s mind all the way down to his feet and back to us.
‘The First 51‘ Offers Even More Insight About Patterns, but Below
I’ve Shared a POWERFUL Way to Use Them for TESTING and TEACHING
– Ourselves AND Our Horses!
While we DO need to surrender and let ‘er rip in competition to a degree, we’re better able to DO that when we’re more particular, aware, precise and accurate in our training!
For example, for many years the exact distance I kept my horse out from the barrels in slow work was something I just “felt out” – and as a result, I sometimes struggled with going by the first barrel in a run.
It was SO empowering to assign points and numbers (specific distances) around the barrels – so my mind & body could more intimately know exactly when & where we needed to be for ultimate efficiency (and FASTER times)!
Before we put this together on the pattern though, we’d be wise to test our precision on circles of ALL different size, and at all gaits.
After all – there’s NO such thing as a “good enough” circle – it’s NOT something we can just shrug off and leave as “grey area” in ANY way, shape or form!
If we’re going to nail every turn, every time – our timing & distance must become black and white, in our mind AND body – so it can become the same in our horse’s mind and body.
What I’m suggesting here, is that you take your “sensing” ability OFF the pattern to a new level first – so you can take it to a new level ON it!
Marking Out a “Precision Pattern” in Your Arena is How.
To start, you’ll need to pick up a few items at the store, then block out a couple hours for setting up and experiencing this game-changing exercise!
It’s SO worth it – just wait & see! 👀
Here’s Your Shopping List:
- 1. A BIG roll of kite string
- 2. A measuring tape (the bigger/longer, the better)
- 3. An old, large plastic cup
- 4. A few bags of all-purpose flour (or a bag of lime)
The next step is to mark out a barrel racer’s version of what’s known as “a precision pen.”
Before you do, however – check the weather forecast. ⛅
Because this is fairly involved process, you’ll want to create your precision pattern when there is little likelihood for rain to wash it away (unless you have an indoor arena, which in that case – have at it anytime!).
Size up the length and width of your arena space, then come up with a logical grid that allows you to keep track of 20 – 40 – 60 ft. circles, etc.
Next – measure, mark, and lay down some string to guide your flour lines from end to end and powder out your grid.
For example, my home arena measures 120 feet x 240 feet so I would mark my grid as pictured below.
To make the process quicker & easier, you could even mark out half your arena, and still get a load of benefit!
Whichever way you go about it, the GOAL is use the powdered squares/rectangles as GUIDES to primarily focus on CIRCLES within them of different sizes with the edges being on your gridlines
(The black grid will be your flour lines, the red circles are examples of your ridden practice circles with the lines your guide).
As an FYI, based on the distances I’ve measured from the barrel in MY ideal barrel turn + the fact that a 50 gallon drum is approximately two feet across, a barrel-sized circle works out to be about ten feet in diameter.
Even IF your preferred distances around the barrels are slightly different (than what I shared in ‘The First 51‘, chances are still good it will end up very close to a ten-foot circle.
Of course, you’ll want to use the gridlines to practice larger circles as well!
Once saddled up, test yourself and ask:
- Can my horse stay forward consistently and perfectly on path at a walk?
- If I let the reins go slack on his neck but remain focused, does my horse stay true to the pattern by following my subtle body language and focus alone?
- How do things feel at a lope?
- Can my horse travel with quality and consistency in his posture?
- What about when I transition from one size circle to the next?
- How timely and precise are my upward and downward transitions?
- Do I compensate in my body when my horse gets off track?
- Just how straight are my straight lines?
- How is my lateral work?
- Can I pick points and accurately go from straight forward to diagonal movement, then forward again, then laterally the other way, all while staying truly “forward?”
The possibilities for using the “precision pattern” are endless!
The idea seems so elementary, but you’ll be shocked by how much focus it requires to stay perfectly on track.
You may also be very surprised to find that you’re not as successful at staying on path as you thought you would be.
If a horse veers off THE pattern, or even A pattern – it’s a sign that he doesn’t know his job, OR that he’s not near as tuned in, quick and responsive as he needs to be for success at speed.
If we’re conscious, aware & open to learning – putting ourselves to the test like this can be real humbling experience!
We can’t improve what we don’t measure – and that’s the point! 💡
If there are any delays – you can certainly expect delays in communication on the barrel pattern as well. It’s ALL connected.
Barrel races are WON by horses who know their job and ridden by jockeys who can consistently and precisely place their horse’s FEET.
It makes sense then, to start fixing any subtle failures to communicate NOW when you’re going slow away from the actual barrel pattern.
Keep in mind, that IF what I shared here remains just a “good idea” in your head or “something to try some day,” then you’re not setting yourself up to take your awareness, feel, timing, AND ability to clock to a whole new level!
We must be brave enough to face the truth – even (and especially) if the truth reveals areas to improve.
The “precision pattern” can open your eyes to holes you may have never otherwise knew existed. You’ll reveal opportunities to accurately see and precisely address areas that may have been lacking on the pattern, which is likely to ultimately lead to shaving time off the clock.
And if that’s not something to celebrate, I don’t know what is? 🎉
High performers LOVE learning and finding their weak links – it means there’s improvement ahead!
Of course, we can continue playing it safe & not clocking – OR decide to value our dreams enough to do the work and put ourselves to the test, learn, and then make the necessary adjustments.
Setting up this pattern is relatively easy to do, but it’s just as easy not to do.
My intention is for you to take ACTION on what I share, because I know it’s how you’ll achieve greater positive results.
It’s critical then, that barrel racing exercises are not only performed properly and with quality, but also at the right time, and for the right reasons – or they’re useless.
In fact, I’ll be the first to say that that “exercises” are not are NOT the be-all, end-all answer to training winning barrel horses.
This is why, within each exercise in “The First 51” book, I included several exercises, plus suggestions for variations – which is the key to receiving the greatest benefit. 🔑
This book helps you use ANY barrel racing drill correctly to transform your rides and runs FAST, but also achieve real, lasting results.
A Special Offer That’s Only Available Right Now.
The NINE additional chapters feature 46 MORE barrel racing exercises, including many more drills to achieve ‘perfection on the pattern,’ including how to:
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- Improve balance, strength and quickness in your own body to have better timing & feel in a run without getting in your horse’s way.
- Develop your ability to do more with less by fine-tuning the concept of pressure and release to develop even quicker, more consistent responses.
- Understand what kind of exercises are most important for building strength, coordination, and therefore SPEED on the pattern.
- Become more competent at performing groundwork exercises to sharpen mental focus and improve all-around responsiveness in any horse.
- Effectively dissolve emotional issues such as nervousness and anxiety that get in the way of your horse’s performance.
- Learn how to regain your horse’s focus in the warm up pen, as well as calm your own nerves and drown out distractions (all necessary to make a winning run)!
- Develop new “eyes to see” problem areas you didn’t even know existed to shave off that stubborn last half second, and finally pay for expenses with your winnings!
- Develop a connection with your horses so strong that they’re happy and willing to stay mentally engaged and WITH you without resistance or opposition.
- Understand exactly what your horses need, why & when, to take the mystery and frustration out of training and replace it with clarity and confidence.
With a heightened level of awareness, you may even find yourself no longer seeking out “exercises,” because you’ll just know what your horse needs each time you saddle up for a training session due to your newfound ability to “feel them out.”
You’ll be able to read each horse, meet their changing needs, prepare them adequately, and truly put the odds for success in your favor.
That’s what I want for you, and that’s what this book can give you. 📗
Now, I DO understand how busy you are… how busy we ALL are.
I know exactly how challenging it can be to find time for learning, let alone actually applying what you learn!
Not long ago a friend told me she “wished she had time to do everything I do with horses.”
Here’s the thing – I don’t have any more time than anyone else. I just choose to focus mine on what’s most important to me.
Barrel racing isn’t just my dream, I’ve made it my life.
For anyone without time to focus on expanding their knowledge and refining their skills, I can only ask – “Do you have time to keep entering and coming home disappointed and empty handed?”
We don’t “find time” – we CREATE it! 💥
Ultimately, it’s a Choice We Make.
I can assure you, in comparison to shallowly skimming over the surface, that the path I recommend taking (although very in-depth at times) IS actually THE fast-track to barrel racing success!
The simple truth, is that problems on the pattern all trace back to shakey fundamentals.
If YOUR own foundations are firm, and your horse’s are truly firm; and when you & your horses are mentally, physically and emotionally rock solid – there’s nothing you can’t do together!
“Finally, finally there is a top-notch guide for BOTH horse & rider! Any equestrian knows that we don’t just “sit there,” but the coordination to work with our 1,200 lb. teammate make us true athletes. This book is well laid out and easy to use. HIGHLY recommend to any barrel racer wanting to up their game and get the best from yourself and your horse.” – Marsha H.
“Your book gives the real information that we are all looking for. It is easy to understand and it is those little secrets that the professionals do not tell. I never realized what “get more with less” really meant until you explained it clearly. You are really helping horses with people problems more than you can imagine.”
– Pat B.
“I’ve been having trouble with my mare at increased speed… Your book has helped me and my mare so much! …our turns are even more ‘snappy.’ Thank you for offering your time to all of us who dream of making that perfect run!!” – Lisa P.
When you take the time it takes, it literally takes less time… on ALL levels. ⏱
Right now, you can take advantage not only of a 30% Discount on the book price, but you’ll ALSO receive a special Video BONUS for FREE – with footage of me actually riding, training and demonstrating the exercises, with barrel racing tips for truly maximizing your results.
But that’s not all.
While the video will help you apply the exercises more thoroughly and effectively, the SECOND bonus – an Arena-Side Workbook, featuring the diagrams and short descriptions from each exercise, will help you achieve results much FASTER!
This FREE, instantly downloadable 35-page PDF Workbook is a condensed version of the actual book, and is something I developed to be printed and easily accessible – whether at the barn, trailer or arena.
This special, quick-reference resource, however is only available for a limited time, so COMMIT to barrel racing excellence while it’s still available.
One of my favorite quotes is by Richard Bach, who said…
“You are not given a dream without also being given the power to make it true.”
I wrote The First 51 Barrel Racing Exercises to support you, encourage you, guide you, AND help you strengthen that power!
So – are YOU ready to not only becoming a top barrel racer, but a true horseman as well? 🙋
If you want to sharpen your edge, reveal you AND your horse’s hidden potential, and unleash it on the barrel pattern; if you’re ready to STOP dreaming about barrel racing success and start LIVING IT, then saddle up & join me!
TODAY, the print version of The First 51 Barrel Racing Exercises is available for you at 30% OFF.
Here’s a Review of What You’ll Receive When You Order Now:
| 30% OFF The First 51 Barrel Racing Exercises Print Book |
BONUS #1 FREE 10+ Minute Instructional Video |
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Today ‘The First 51‘ can be yours for 30% OFF, AND accompanied with these TWO incredible bonuses.
Don’t miss your chance to have ALL 51 Barrel Racing Exercises & more – faster & easier than ever!
There is no better time to COMMIT to all-around barrel racing excellence. 🛢🏇
Just follow the THREE SIMPLE STEPS below to order The First 51 Barrel Racing Exercises for Precision on the Pattern and you’ll receive access to your BONUS Video and FREE downloadable Arena-Side PDF Workbook instantly via email.
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STEP ONE:
Click the Buy Now Button at right to purchase The First 51 Barrel Racing Exercises.
(It’ll open in a new window.)
STEP TWO:
Enter your Name, Email and Order Number in the form BELOW to request your FREE Gifts!
(Copy and paste the order number from the confirmation you receive.)
STEP THREE: Check your email for a message containing a special link + instructions to view your Bonus Video and download the Workbook – then ENJOY!
Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions, and thanks so much for joining me!
I appreciate and admire your commitment to being THE BEST.
I’ll see YOU down rodeo road! 👋
With gratitude and excitement for your barrel racing future,
Professional Barrel Racer, Best-Selling Author, and creator of BarrelRacingTips.com