with Clay Tryan
Practicing the right way
When you are preparing to rope at an event, it’s very important to practice for the arena, cattle and set up at the competition. For instance, if I’m headed to the BFI where the score is long and the arena is big, then that’s going to be the set up in my practice pen. It wouldn’t make sense for me to practice in an NFR set up where the arena is small and narrow.
I would also try to practice on cattle that run harder like they do at the BFI so that’s what my horse and I are prepared for.
Many people practice the same way all the time under the same conditions every time. Then when they go to a roping and have a longer score than at home, they’re not used to it and it makes the conditions seem harder than they actually are. Know the arena, format and cattle where you will be competing and try to simulate that as much as possible during practice.
Remember that when you’re practicing you’re showing your horse what you want him to do. If you practice in the wrong set up, then you’re giving your horse the wrong instructions. Practicing in a similar set up will give you and your horse confidence when you compete.
Official Rope of
Fast Back Ropes, Inc. • Granbury, TX • 800-479-1851