Educated Inner Cowboy!
What brings out your inner cowboy?
Is it riding very fast around a jump-off course or something equally exciting that gets your adrenaline pumping?
Is riding at speed stupid?
According to Jen Hamilton (on Horse Chats Podcast 858) who talked about winning jump offs, there are so many strategies that should be added before speed.
These include taking a shorter track, tightening up the turns right and left and angling jumps.
Opening out to longer strides and then shortening and turning is an excellent training strategy but the one that is often missed the most is the turn after the jump.
How soon can you turn after the jump? Is the left turn tighter than the right? Or right tighter than left?
Watching other top riders and then simulating the conditions in training are strategies for the educated.
The jump off is a test of training and mental focus for the rider.
The educated rider and educated coach custom designs their course walk to work on the strengths of the rider and the strengths of their horse when riding the course.
Educated riders only use techniques in competition that they have worked on at home.
If your horse has a fabulous canter, goes forward and comes back, turns left and turns right, your horse is brave and you are riding with conviction, then it sounds like you have an ‘Educated Inner Cowboy’.
Those with an Educated Inner Cowboy win Jump Offs!
Let us know below what brings out your inner cowboy.
Listen to the full episode with Jen Hamilton on Winning Jump Offs on Horse Chats here
I agree there are many adaptable skills that need to be learned before speed is involved in a jump off round, although this article states that riders can practice these things at home some horses may work differently in a more stressful show surrounding when they are not yet comfortable with the environment.
This advice is helpful for a lot experienced and inexperienced riders who are looking to up their game on the show course. Honing your skills before adding speed is a great way to add confidence to the way you ride.
I completely agree, I believe that there are plenty of skills that need to be learned before adding speed
I completely agree, I believe that there are plenty of skills that need to be learned before adding speed, learning the basics and skills is a great way to improve your confidence in the saddle
This advice is good as it says that you shouldn’t perform something you haven’t worked on at home as it could be dangerous. Some horses work differently then others they may gain a lot more energy and get stressed out but others could be calm and lazy.
Yes, safety is above everything.
This is very interesting, and helpful.
It’s the smell of a cow
standing in a opened field with horses and cows around
What brings out your inner cowboy?
The smell of a cow and just being around horses and cows in a opened field
What brings out my inner Cowboy?
Its watching horsemanship, a man and horse work together in harmony to achieve their goal.
A child fall in love and trust their a horse lookafter, care and watching them grow together.
Working with a horse gaining their trust and creating a bond, overcoming boundaries and the unconditional love.
What brings out your inner Cowboy? The smell of clean leather and sweet hay.
What brings out my inner cowboy.
Jumping up on my paint horse and going for a stap across acres of land ❤️
the smell of horses
The smell of horses also the smell of hay, tack and horse food. All my favorites.
Nothing brings out my inner cowgirl more than stepping on a fully trained Cutting horse and working a cow in a competition.
What brings out your inner cowboy?
Riding my horse through a field of cows, loping along in a relaxed manner taking in the smells of cattle, horse and fresh hay.
What brings out your inner cowboy?
Jump offs at speed is always fun but turning the corners as fast as we can brings out my inner cowboy. We practice this by doing barrels at home.
Nothing brings out my inner cowboy more than stepping on a fully trained Cutting horse and working a cow in a competition.
Very Informative
I agree that riding at speed can be considered “stupid” when horse and rider are not properly prepared. Saying this, I agree that strategies brought into the jump off ring should be practiced at home if possible but nothing can mimic that high intensity, stressful environment. This being said, those high stress, high intensity situations really make you and your horse come together and prove companionship, a prime example can be cowgirl and her horse cutting cattle or running barrels.
Being able to ride my horse on a day when she’s super fresh brings out my inner cowboy.
Inner cow-boy to me makes me think of a fearless go big or go home type of attitude with horses, what brings out my inner cow-boy is having the confidence to try new or challenging things!
The ability to connect with horses and various wildlife brings out my inner cowboy.
i agree that connection with the horses are very important and also practice and training very important when attempt to be fast and jump.
What brings out my inner cowboy more than anything, riding my horse full speed through the paddocks and going to rodeos.
Cowboys always make me think of speed and adrenaline. My inner cowboy comes out when I am in full control of my horse during a tricky lesson, or galloping through an empty paddock.
Riding my favourite old mare brings out my inner cowboy. She once was a show jumper that could land, sit, turn, go without looseing rhythm and win jump off’s. These days she is semi retired but I am blessed to still have her in my life.
What brings out your inner cowboy? Jump offs are always a fun adrenaline rush of an event but for me nothing brings out the inner cowboy more than going for a gallop across the beach.
Inner cowboy – something I show by wearing my ropers every day and going with the horse.
What brings out my inner cowgirl for me personally, would be the smell of cattle and horses and the sunlight in the arvo drifting through the trees.
When I think about my inner cowboy, I think about being fearless and able to ride without worry. To challenge myself to ride better and to ride with full potential.
I agree that there is so much you can apply to your riding before adding speed, I think if you have the chance though, to practice these things while out, as well as at home. As horses can react differently to unfamiliar environments.
Something that brings out my inner cowgirl, is seeing a long stretch of grass, big hill or nice log. I get such a craving to just gallop on, up or jump over it!
definitely being able to go and see my horses and working with them everyday. sometimes they can be difficult but that just makes me want to work and strive harder. i live on land and grew up with country music so i was just brought into the cowboy world. i couldn’t change being a cowgirl/horse person even if i tried.
Cantering through scrub after cattle who are running off brings out my inner cowgirl. and my outer one to
what brings out my inner cowboy – chasing through scrub after mad cows
To complete a jump off successfully, there are many techniques that need to be applied which can be practiced at home then used in competition. You and our horse need to have a connection and a level of trust as some horses react differently to stressful/show environments.
What brings out my inner cowboy? To be able to ride at a speed knowing that I trust my horse, that they won’t try and throw me off or take off on me.
yes jumping a jump off round does get your adrenaline pumping which I feel that is what brings out my inner cowgirl.
There are many things that bring out my inner cowboy, but there is nothing like clicking with your horse, finally riding in harmony together. Where horse and rider become a team, creating trust and understanding where the only language spoken is soft aids and rhythm. I think it is important to reach this point with the horse you are riding before adding too much speed, without this it can often result in miscommunication and poses a danger for both the horse and rider. A good foundation is important to build a better relationship with your horse, and building this relationship really brings my inner cowboy out.
What brings out my inner cowboy? The feeling of galloping through the paddock as fast as we can, that feeling of freedom with the wind in your hair, hands out, trusting the horse. That brings out my inner cowboy.
The thing that brings out my inner cowboy is when I am going to get my horse and seeing all of the other horses.
What Brings Out My Inner Cowboy: The feeling I receive whilst grooming the horses as they relax is sure to be one of the things that brings out that inner cowboy feeling. Although, as me and the horse cross the vast land, travelling through and over scrubs and logs, to find the missing cattle on a scorching summers day, for me is the truest feeling of the inner cowboy. Adding to this inner cowboy feeling, is the profound bond between the horse and I.
It’s easy to immediately think of your ‘inner cowboy’ as gun ho all the time.
But we need to remember, across all disciplines it’s important to get the ‘boring’ stuff (correct, slow maneuvers & handling) right first… Time, patience & practice are key to the being achieving that ‘educated inner cowboy’.
My inner cowgirl gets brought out every time my horse and I improve something we’ve been working on or when we unlock a new height in showjumping. However, my inner cowgirl truly comes out when we’re charging around a cross country course testing our confidence trying new or scary jumps.
What brings out my inner cowboy?
cutting cattle
What brings out my inner cowboy?
I can agree with the article above, explaining that a horse and rider with basic education can experience this ‘inner cowboy,’ however I find my inner cowboy to be most prominent whenever I jump on bareback with nothing but a halter. This brings out my inner cowboy because there is something freeing about fully trusting your ability as a rider and your horses temperament to randomly jump on their back and trust that the halter will offer you enough control. There’s freedom to it that I do not experience when riding in proper tack.
What brings out someone’s inner cowboy can be different for many people. but what brang out my inner cowboy was being around my 2 horses and competing in computations such as team penning, and just feeling like I’m being accepted into that community of people who have grown up in the country towns and been being in the rodeo competitions since before they were born. But just being out in the big open fields alone on a trail ride with my horse nitro in my jeans, western tack and cap on also gives me that feeling only true equestrians know.
The first ever thing that brang out my inner cowboy is when I was out on a big trail with my phone on silent, on my bay gelding in my western tack, jeans, hoddie and cap and coming through a big open field with cows in the background just graising, just coming through at a walk taking in all the scenery, feeling that sense of calm and freedom just easily reached my inner cowboy and the amazing feeling of having a bond between my horse and i.
What brings out my inner cowboy?
Trail riding through the mountains and creeks, listening to the sounds of the rainforest in my western gear.
Such an Important message, I feel like it is always shown with a laugh people flying around a jumping course at terrifying speeds when the truly impressive rounds are when a horse and rider look like they truly understand each other and the horse is flexible through their striding and make taking incredible turns looks effortless.
It really is crazy how versatile everyone’s methods can be when we’re all in the same discipline! It’s so great to have so many different opinions that allows us to expand our knowledge and find our own way that works for both us and our equine partners
the times my inner cowboy comes out is out in cross country and you horse just goes hold on and your off hahah feel the wind in your hair
Honestly my inner cowboy tends to come out when I seem to least expect it. Although my dreams lie in the show jumping ring my inner cowboy tends to come out when I’m working on basic dressage movements and working on building the connection between myself and my current lease horse. I personally find that working on turns and figures on the flat, help both me and my horse to be more in sync when we put ourselves out in the jump ring, working in the flat for us builds our connection and trust, I always work on turns and figures in flat lessons.
I find it so interesting watching grand prix riders ride courses and seeing how effortlessly they make those turns look.
What brings out your inner cowboy?
Definitely cows and just bring in the open and the country smell.
What brings out your inner cowboy?
When I do sporting Gymkhanas or riding out in the bush with my horse
My coach has always said “slow is smooth, smooth is fast”. This is the method I use for my barrel horse. I find that fast also brings lots of mistakes with it and I find the faster I rider, the messier I get!!
It’s interesting to see how many other strategies can be implemented before speed. I think so many people see showjumping as having to be the fastest but it takes a lot more the just speed to win.
what brings out my inner cowboy is gymkhana games and especially barrels.
Calculating the turn after a jump is so much more complicated than it looks. Landing on the right lead, being balanced, the right speed and the right angle all equates to making a safe fast, accurate turn. Taking the time to train and practice this is so important.
Being around horses, cows and other farm animals brings out your inner cowboy
This is great advice for people who are trying to get more experienced in the riding world and really makes you focus on what your doing and safer ways to ride when it comes to riding at speed.
Landing after a jump there are so many things to think about, sit up, shoulders back, look for your next jump, slow down, speed up. All these things are so important in riding not just a jump course but for every discipline.
I agree there are so many things to think about before speed in a jump off, although they are my favorite things, there are so many things to think about. When jumping you need to have the right pace between jumps and also need to have the adjustability of your canter to see strides to either push or hold for them. Jump offs do 100% bring out my inner cowboy.
This article refers to the jumper as one with characteristics of the image of a cowboy. Strength, skill, commitment and purpose. Is that the inner cowboy a jump-off incites? The team of horse, rider and coach are key on the journey to winning. However, a visualisation of the ageless cowboy figure as I approach the tighter turns and higher jumps, would be a strategy for me to inject that burst of adrenaline I need in my race to the finish line.
what brings out my inner cowboy?
when we go for a full gallop across the paddock and all I have to think about is how amazing this partnership is because she totally trusts me and I have every faith in her to bring me safely back home every afternoon.
I remember trail riding always brought out my inner cowboy. Something about just being out on tracks in open space. Also versing your classmates in games haha. It’s always interesting to watch jump offs and see the different methods people choose when riding their rounds.
When riding in a jump off, i like to talk to my trainer about the best and most efficient line to take for both me and my horse. I will then watch a few other horses do the jump off and study their lines. when it comes time to warm up, I will do a shortened warm u as the horse has had his main warm up on the first round and I will practise angling my jumps, turning into the jump one stride away and turning straight after landing.
It’s interesting seeing other riders points of view, I believe speed does bring out the inner cowboy in someone’s riding although it is important to ride safely especially showjumping. personally safety always comes first but I am a believer or your inner cowboy and adrenaline comes out when you are in the above activities
What brings out my inner cowboy?
When its just you and your horse working together as a team to hard work easy.
What brings out my inner cowboy?
Getting on a fresh horse, saddling up my horse, rodeos, working and teaching my horse more things.
Many thing bring out my inner cowboy!
being on my horse in the middle of a field and galloping across the land, helps me a lot to relax. when doing some small jumps at home makes me feel like i am flying (when i get the jump right of cause), this article just helped me understand that many ways to understand different area of horses riding.
that is what brings out my inner cowboy.
I have my inner cowboy because I barrel race and gallop my horses.
What brings out my inner cowboy?
When I’m on a trail ride cantering, galloping and jumping through the trails on a horse that needs a bit of encouragement and doesn’t get excited about hooning though the bush.
what brings out your inner cowboy?
the adrenaline rush of being on a horse your trust, campdrafting having the skills to gallop at high speeds and cut a cow out of a mob is exhilarating and when you get a good run it feels like you have accomplished something as a team.
What brings out my inner cowboy?
Having a lot of ‘Play time’ with your horse is an essential part in both you and your horses learning. It allows them to get experience and variety needed for going out to competition and create a stronger partnership with your horse. Having a dressage horse, I ride her out in the bush, ride her bareback and do jumps to change up her routine.
What brings out my inner Cowgirl?
Spending long hours in the heat training horses!
And then it’s the rewards they bring to you when they make it to the top the brings out my inner cowgirl style!
For me, as much as I love competing at shows however nothing compares to working with a “difficult” horse and problem-solving through their issues.
What brings out my inner cowboy?
The thing that brings out my inner cowboy the most is when I am at a camp draft and I walk into the cutout yard and I can feel my and my horse’s heartbeat sync in tune and we prepare to pick out a beast. Then to top it all off when we make it out of the camp and start directing the beast around the pegs and we get the full course it brings my horse and i’s bond even closer.
What brings out my inner cowboy?
The thing that brings out my inner cowboy is when we are doing 24/7 cattle mustering on a hot summer day and working with my horse as a partner and friend.
What brings out my inner Cowboy?
A beautiful summers day, mustering cattle on horseback. To get the adrenaline pumping it is that unexpected chase of a wayward cow followed by the feeling of synchrony and partnership as we stop and turn with the cow as it suddenly changes direction.
I agree!
Being a showjumper myself I couldn’t agree more, a jump off definitely brings out my inner cowboy especially the excitement of looking for what cuts you can take and the afterwards adrenaline you get.
The thing that brings out my inner cowboy is breaking in young ones and mustering on our properties, bringing back the runaways and sending them in the right direction, having a trusting relationship with your horse to get you there safely!
❤️
the freedom, passion, trusting in each other, and the thrill of the ride
I agree with the other tactics that should be used first, or as the article describes “educated inner cowboy” riding. t is the smarter and safer way to ride rather than speeding around a course as that is usually very dangerous, especially in the higher classes. Most experienced horse riders will cut the bigger turns they originally made to find the quickest way to the jump without much-added speed. Of course, that’s not to say that speed shouldn’t be used. Speed can still be used in the right parts of the course and with the right horse, if you can’t bring a horse back from the fast pace quickly enough you should probably rethink your chosen lines.
Working a beast in a camp. On a horse that is educated, athletic and ‘cowy’. there is no better feeling than riding a confidant horse while chasing a cow around a Campdraft course as fast as you can with the tightest pegs aiming for the highest possible
What Brings out my Inner Cow girl ?
[]Having that one on one special bond with the horses trusting them and caring and giving them the love having them next to you and riding them feels like freedom.
I agree with the article, working on all other weaknesses before bringing more speed really works.
My adrenaline gets pumping when there is a lot of people watching me compete which can transfer to the horse and make them spook. This article all makes sense but people also need to be mindful that if it is their first show the horse may spook as there is a lot of people and things going on around them. Speed is not always the best option, try to cut corners where possible and line up for the jump. Watch other people to learn techniques to stay safe.
Good information about horses! I truly love how it is simple in my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I might be notified when a new post has been made. I’ve subscribed to your RSS feed which must do the trick! Have a great day!
What brings out my inner cowboy – I think about the feeling of when my horse is fresh early in the morning, both of us fearless and able to ride without worry. And when I challenge myself to ride better and to ride with full potential.
What brings out my inner cowboy?
Riding trackwork and galloping racehorses early in the morning, educating ex-racehorses, knowing your training is paying off, performing well in front of crowds, jumping high etc.
Speed is fun but sharp turns and angled jumps are important too. Speed needs to be used to the rider and horse’s advantage in a safe manner, so it pays off and no one gets hurt. If speed is what is needed for that horse at that time in the course and can be used, it can be but if it isn’t necessary and a sharp turn or angled jump is more efficient then that should be the rider’s decision.
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Very nice post. I hope you write again very soon!
I dont do showjumping so this was very interesting! Thank you.
This was very interesting to read as I don’t do much show jumping myself, it was also interesting to read how other highly educated and skilled riders connect with there horses and use they’re skills to become highly talented.
I agree there are so many different aspects to jumping offs than just speed. You and your own horse’s ability needs to be taken into account.
What brings out my inner cowboy?
Is definitely the adrenaline rush in a jump off and having a strong bond with my horse
What brings out my inner cowboy?
Is definitely the adrenaline rush in a jump off and having a strong bond with my horse.
This is a very interesting article and very helpful with its riding statements, like one which is very relatable in the way it states “a rider will only perform a technique they have practiced at home” since no rider would go out and try to do something that they and their horse aren’t familiar with.
I agree, this is a great article !
What brings out my inner cowboy is finding a long straight stretch of trail, getting into a gallop and letting the reins go – the freedom and connection with my horse that comes with that is something that makes my heart soar.
What brings out my inner cowboy?
Definitely finishing a jump course, its such an achievement when I finish on a clear round and just pat my horse. I find it’s important to reward you’re horse as they are your partner.
No matter if the round is clear or not I will always give my horse a pat. Most of the problems that would happen around a course is rider error it’s almost never the horses fault.
I like this article as it is very accurate. You don’t need speed in a jump off, all you need is to cut your corners and have longer strides.
What bring out my inner cowboy more than anything, riding my horse at full speed across the beach and competing in EXCA (Extreme Cowboy Racing) events.
This really unleashed my inner cowboy! This was great advice.
Just reading this unleashes my inner cowboy! Love to see the passion people have for horses.
My inner cowboy is bought out best when I am around horses. Just being near them makes me happy. The horsey smell they give off is (in my opinion) one of the best smells to ever exist.
I completely understand! Being around horses has a way of awakening our inner cowboys. It’s amazing how something as simple as their presence can make us so happy.
What brings out your inner cowboy?
moving horses to different paddocks and mounted games especially barrel racing and key hole