Tell me about speed events...to an English girl

[jessiesgrrl]

Sam and I are going into our first show end of August

It is very low-key local and lots of fun! I have a few friends who do this circuit and have gone and watched 2 of the shows so I am comfy with how its run and the general way it goes.

Anyway, Sam and I are going to enter the 2 English classes they offer, but to make it a full day (since we will be there anyways) I was thinking of trying him in one of the speed events.

Down and Back seems to be the most straight forward.

Any suggestions on what we can work on in the arena this month to help us? Obviously I am getting the western tack to practice in, but maybe some tips?

[beau159]

Go for it! It’s always fun to try new things with your horse.

Remember: Slow is fast.

You’ll probably see other people going b@lls to the w@lls with speed, but have a game plan in your head about how fast YOU want to go with YOUR horse, so that you don’t get “caught up” in the adrenaline.

You can simply do some barrel racing drills at home. If you don’t have barrels, you can use a cone or a bucket or anything. Here’s a few ideas to get you started.

https://youtu.be/P0_-AcSQDgk

https://youtu.be/rEBaO_67K1g

https://youtu.be/hNEWBc_LPE4

Be careful … speed is addictive!! :winkgrin:

This might not be “down and back” but it’s good ol’ gaming fun!!
https://youtu.be/4uBPPz9S6kE

[poltroon]

BTW, I go down to the local gymkhana all the time just in my english tack.

I think it’s pretty fun to go to a new event. I don’t expect to do well, I just like getting in the ring.

Note that the warmup ring for a gymkhana may be a little more chaotic than you’re used to. This is a good thing when you go back to your regular discipline.

[CHT]

Around here, the OP would have to borrow western tack (as she said she was going to).

My vet shared me a study that horses go faster if the rider is quiet (not kicking with every stride or yelling).

Practice how long you need to prepare to turn around so you don’t overshoot turns.

But be prepared to see some ugly riding.

[Luseride]

Slower can be faster as a slower smooth turn will beat a fast jerky each time.

Have fun, you may learn a new skill.

[paulaedwina]

I have turned barrels in an English saddle. It’s all good. Go for precision in the plug -a nice tight turn on the barrel -and that will shave time. I like to go straight for the barrel and leg yield it! You should try the barrel pattern and poles. It’s excellent fun. Here’s my friend Jenn breaking amateur times on her OTTB in an English saddle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euFGhHHH1r4

Paula

[goodhors]

Rules may require Western tack for Speed classes of any kind. So you will be better off practicing in the Western tack so horse knows the feel of things. Knowing your Local Rules you show under is your guide. Here, 4-H allows both Western and English tack for Speed, but lots of folks don’t read the Rules and will argue about English tack being legal for Speed! Both kinds of tack are also legal in the Rules for Equestrian Team Speed classes, but newer folks can think that Western is the only legal tack if they have not read the Rules.

Do walk your pattern, so horse understands how he is expected to go for this class. If he turns left best, go that way around the center barrel. Just because ‘most folks’ turn right, doesn’t mean it is the ONLY way horse can turn. Read the Rules the Show uses to be informed, know what is legal. My horses have been right-handed, so we always did the left barrel first, had better, faster turns going right-handed on the last two barrels. Our Rules say you can start left or right, so you should go with what works best for YOUR horse!

For local classes, Down and Back calls for a halt at the end in a box. Foot over the line is DQ. Some horses stop and stand from speed, others need a slowdown, then halt to stand well enough to stay in the box until Judge gives you the OK to leave.

Our horses wore tack that ONLY was used for speed events and ONLY for Pleasure things. Horse knew the tack difference, reacted as trained when using that bridle. Never had an issue going from Pleasure to Speed, and sometimes back to Pleasure, well enough to win or place in each type class. Other folks don’t keep equipment totally separate, so may have issues (pushy, dancing or bouncing to GO) with the horse not understanding he can’t go fast with the Pleasure tack.

[jessiesgrrl]

Last show I went and watched, I asked the judge about use of english tack and he was nice enough to get me a copy of the rule book they adhere to
I have read it back and forth twice now so am comfy on the rules.

Yes western tack is a must for speed events, however I am able to ask the judge if I can do an “exhibition” run after everyone else has gone, just to try it out. It states that this isn’t timed or judged so tack requirements don’t need to be as strict.

I have a few friends who offered me their western gear so I will be practicing for the month in western tack.

Sam is trained both ways so it shouldn’t really make a difference to him lol

There is a smooth service road beside a farmers field that we like to hand gallop down, and I have found the magic pace that he is happy with and I feel I am still in control of…so now we are going to focus on how to do the turn safely

Thanks All!!

[jessiesgrrl]

I did notice that all of the riders doing any of the speed events started with a trotting circle at the entrance end before they crossed the line and started their run.
I think thats also something we will be practicing

He is used to us doing trotting or canter circles before and after we jump…hopefully he links the circling to “time to work and job well done”

[paulaedwina]

They do that because there’s no chute. If the ring has a chute they’ll get up to speed there, but if not they’ll circle. The whole idea is not to start from halt -it’s too slow. They’re like airbenders -they harness all that energy and point the horse at the the barrel and pull the trigger! I’ve learned alot from my barrel racing barn mates about not shutting down forward and using it for good instead!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l_Cb7aRopc

[beau159]

@paulaedwina;8250925

They do that because there’s no chute. If the ring has a chute they’ll get up to speed there, but if not they’ll circle. The whole idea is not to start from halt -it’s too slow.

I would disagree.

How you approach the barrel run all depends on your individual horse AND the show rules.

On the pro circuit, you will be fined heavily if you circle or turn your horse around before you run. You must maintain forward motion at all times. Almost always there is going to be a center gate but not always. Sometimes there is a side gate and you must get your horse to the center of the area WITHOUT doing a circle or turning around, or else you’ll get fined.

Rules are rules.

Most finished horses don’t need to circle before they run. I don’t circle with my horse Red. He’s too “on the muscle” the way it is. I just get him lined up, and go. Barrel horses can take off with speed in an instant, so you don’t have to circle to get “up to speed”.

It just depends on the preferances of the rider and the horse (And the show rules) whether you circle before you run or not.

Some shows also have a no running start rule, where the gate must be closed before you start your run. Many people do opt to circle their horses before they start to ensure that gate is closed. Again, with my horse Red I don’t circle. I just hold him until the gate is shut and then we go.

OP: If it would make you more comfortable to circle before you run, by all means. But you don’t have to.

[paulaedwina]

Well I can’t speak for professional shows. I can only speak to our local stuff Carroll County Western Circuit.

Paula

[jessiesgrrl]

Okay, got one more question: BITS!

My boy is 15yr old so he is not allowed to use a snaffle. Got that.
My friend who loaned me her tack said she used the bit she gave me for any showing she did, so I didn’t bother to ask her specifics, but to my research it is just a happy mouth snaffle with a curb chain for underneath.
Looks like this:https://img.smartpak.com/product/300x300/17395.jpg

The rules specify:
Horses six
(6) years old and older must be shown in a curb bit, half-breed or spade bit. Reference to Bit in Western Performance
classes mean the use of a curb bit that has a solid or broken mouthpiece, has shanks and acts with leverage. All curb bits
must be of mechanical device and should be considered a standard western bit.

So would that one work?

[beau159]

[QUOTE=jessiesgrrl;8258046]
Okay, got one more question: BITS!

My boy is 15yr old so he is not allowed to use a snaffle. Got that.
My friend who loaned me her tack said she used the bit she gave me for any showing she did, so I didn’t bother to ask her specifics, but to my research it is just a happy mouth snaffle with a curb chain for underneath.
Looks like this:https://img.smartpak.com/product/300x300/17395.jpg

The rules specify:
Horses six
(6) years old and older must be shown in a curb bit, half-breed or spade bit. Reference to Bit in Western Performance
classes mean the use of a curb bit that has a solid or broken mouthpiece, has shanks and acts with leverage. All curb bits
must be of mechanical device and should be considered a standard western bit.

So would that one work?[/QUOTE]

I would double check the rules.

Often for GAMING events there are no rules on bits, even on the AQHA level. Most times, the bit rules only apply for the judged showing events such as western pleasure and reining.

So I would double check, but I was say you probably can use whatever bit you want for the gaming events.

[SuckerForHorses]

[QUOTE=beau159;8259072]
I would double check the rules.

Often for GAMING events there are no rules on bits, even on the AQHA level. Most times, the bit rules only apply for the judged showing events such as western pleasure and reining.

So I would double check, but I was say you probably can use whatever bit you want for the gaming events.[/QUOTE]

Agree with beau.

Typically, the 6 year old/leverage bit rule is for rail classes only (i.e. pleasure, horsemanship, etc). Generally, gymkhana type/barrel racing have no rule regarding specific bits for a certain age horse.

For example, in Vermont, none of the gymkhanas care if you ride your 15 year old in a snaffle; but at the open shows, if your horse is over 5 years old, and being shown in a western class you must use a leverage bit.

I do not believe NBHA even has such a rule regarding specific bits and ages of horses.

If you ride your horse in a snaffle, it’s highly likely that you can ride him in a snaffle in the games.

The whole idea is not to start from halt -it’s too slow.

Depends on who you ask.

A trainer that I take lessons with and who started my gelding on barrels disagrees; and he has some pretty decent winnings under his belt on barrels and poles, up to the AQHA World level.

I’m not wording this how he does, but basically, you want to circle your horse if you can, so that you can take that time to line your horse up properly, and there is no need to start at the back-40 to gain speed because you’re just using up that space and tiring your horse out before you even get to the first barrel. Conserve the horse’s energy, line them up properly and where you want to be, and then lope a circle before heading to the 1st barrel.

[paulaedwina]

Hey, so Fella and I actually placed in speed classes on Sunday! What? I mean we are not fast, we are a draft cross playing and a human enjoying the moment. But we got 6th in poles, versatility (Texas Barrels) and barrels.

It is very addictive!
Paula

[jessiesgrrl]

Awesome to hear Paula!

We tried the western tack my friend loaned us on sunday evening…didn’t go very well
The saddle fits him okay, but my rear is…umm…a little “cup floweth over” style, and the head stall he hated! It was a one ear loop style but it really didn’t fit him (pinched his ear) and he was crusty and did a dirty stop after the turn at the barrel…didn’t come off but the seat size def wasn’t working in my favor
BO offered to loan me her very nice western task (?!? where was this offer 2 weeks ago lol) to use
Sam is getting a little sour with constant arena work so tonight we are going to try using a field to work on our english transitions and then in 2 days we will go back to western
I need to get his turn a bit tighter, he tends to get all trippy when its too tight, so reduce speed sooner and come at it a bit wider to allow the turn to run smoother I think…

It’s weird, I was just talking to my BFF about the show and the english classes which are the original ones I am going for aren’t even on my worry radar…its these damn western classes I am worried about! And they are supposed to be the fun ones that relax us! Go figure.

[beau159]

@jessiesgrrl;8267477

I need to get his turn a bit tighter, he tends to get all trippy when its too tight, so reduce speed sooner and come at it a bit wider to allow the turn to run smoother I think…

Are you loping?

If so, take it back down to a trot. A horse needs to learn to rate and collect before the turn, or they will trip all over themselves.

Make sure they keep that hip engaged underneath them, and drive with it.

Don’t start your turn until your knee is AT or PAST the barrel.

Also, keep in mind, that going into the turn WIDER does not always mean it is going to make your turn tighter. If you go in too wide, you run the risk of a horse dropping a shoulder or the horse trying to turn too soon.

A good estimate is you want to go into your pocket at a point that is about 4 feet away from the barrel. You can set up cones around the barrel to help you visualize that.

If you find your horse getting sour, change it up!! Don’t do the exact same pattern repeatedly. Do drills with just 1 barrel, or 2, or 4, etc. Create random patterns with the barrels that still allow you to work on your turns.

Judy Myllymaki has a lot of great drills I like to use.
http://www.myllymakibarrelhorses.net/workshops.html

Are you able to take a video and show us how it’s going so far?

[paulaedwina]

Fella had the opposite reaction to Western tack -which is why we’re now Western. He loves his Big Horn and he seems to really enjoy no noseband, no browband, no throatlatch head stall (he is in a one ear with curb strap). I have a much more relaxed horse who is through and steps up, uses his back, etc.

Paula

[jessiesgrrl]

I’ll try and get video Beau next time we try a run.

I went back to english last night and got video of that to see where I need to tighten up or relax more…it went pretty good and he had a good time being back to what he apparently prefers lol

The circle Y my BO let me borrow I have used twice before for trail rides, but with an english bridle and he was loving the saddle, so I strongly feel it was just that particular western bridle he didn’t like.

We are taking a break tonight and I’m going back to western thursday, I’ll try and take video and get it on here

1wk3days until the show!!!