Off to the Right Start

By Tammy Sronce, Western Shooting Horse Magazine, September 1, 2009

How to set your horse up for the correct entry into a pattern to get that competitive edge.

Look close—at major championships, the top shooters sit in small groups in the stands watching the lower levels compete. They are studying the pattern and discussing options. 

The course set-up dictates the correct entry into the pattern. Is it a left turn first, or a right turn? Is it a long way up the arena? Do you need to approach the first target at a specific angle? You need to answer those questions before you mount up in order to give yourself that competitive edge.

And that’s just one thing you need to do before entering the course.

Entering the Arena

Make sure that your reins are adjusted correctly. Are they an even length on both sides? An incorrect rein length can affect how your horse handles throughout the entire pattern.

Always do your best to walk your horse in and out of the arena. And stay calm.  Our shooting horses know their job, and they know it’s a timed event. Sure, some are going to be a little ‘hotter’ than others—but always stay relaxed and patient. Your horse feels your energy, so do your best to help them remain calm.

Crossing the Timer

Where you cross the timer is critical.  Steps matter, and you don’t want to be adding any extra time. Cross the timer at the most direct route to the first turn or target, whatever comes first.

When you cross the timer, your horse should be at the full speed you desire. To do this, circle your horse as you depart. Gradually increase speed as you continue across the back fence, then break off the back fence where you will cross the timer. This ensures your horse is at the optimum speed when he crosses the timer.

This gradual speed increase makes for a smooth entry into the pattern. If you make a horse transition quickly from a standstill to a full gallop, it can shift you around in the saddle. And if the first target is close to the timer, this can interfere with your shooting.

It’s also import to commence a pattern in the correct lead at the lope. We can’t cue for flying lead changes throughout the pattern while we are also trying to shoot, change guns, and turn barrels. But setting the horse up for a correct entry into a pattern ensures a smooth departure, giving us the best chance for a successful run.

A shooter has to look at the pattern and ask, “What’s my first turn? Is it to the left? Or the right?” Every pattern has a turn, whether it’s a first barrel, a gate, or the rundown barrel. If it’s to the left, start your horse off on the left lead; if it’s to the right, start off on the right lead in order to give your horse the most advantageous start.

Knowing if your horse is on the correct lead at the lope is a fundamental of horsemanship. A rider who can correct their horse when they are in an incorrect lead is able to keep their horse correctly balanced. This is very important. For example, if a rider allows their horse to lope in the left lead all the time, the chances are slim that the animal can successfully change leads to the right. That’s because the horse is comfortable feeling unbalanced. Yes, increasing speed may help that horse change leads, but speed isn’t the answer to keeping a horse balanced.

Do’s & Don’ts for Exiting the Arena

The way you exit the arena is also very important. Do your best to walk your horse out of the arena on a loose rein. He’ll be excited from the run, and he needs a calm rider to keep him relaxed. Don’t lope him out of there in a rush.

If you had a bad run, or missed a balloon—none of which was your horse’s fault—don’t take it out on your horse. Take a deep breath and ride out. Keep it in perspective.

After you walk out of the arena, don’t sit on your horse and chat with your friends about how your run went. Walk your horse out, cool him down and let him catch his breath. Loosen his cinch. When your horse has cooled down, take off any sport boots he may be wearing. Then take time out to chat with your friends.

Always set yourself up for the best start possible. For me, that means sitting with some friends whose opinion I respect, and watching some other shooters go through the pattern. Sometimes just talking about the patterns and bouncing ideas off others can make you feel more confident about your run!

Waiting Your Turn

Remember: Being a good shooter is about being a good rider. People shoot how they ride, and people will ride how they shoot. You never stop learning, and you can learn something from everyone.

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