Ep 254: Road to the Horse: Preparation and Mental Game
When I found out I was invited as one of the competitors to Road to the Horse for 2025, it was a surreal moment. I felt incredibly blessed and excited, but I'll be honest – the excitement came with its fair share of nerves. Road to the Horse is a huge challenge, and as much as I’ve prepared my entire life for moments like this, there's no denying it makes you pause and think, "Am I really ready for this?"
The announcement had been in the works for a while — we went through the contract, content requirements, and everything — so, I knew it was coming. But, when the official announcement went live, I was out working with some horses and my phone started blowing up with texts and calls, and that’s when it hit me: "You're going to Road to the Horse."
That realization brought on a mix of excitement and anxiety. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a couple of sleepless nights where I woke up around 3:00 a.m., thinking about being in the round pen, staring at that untouched horse, and wondering what my first move would be. I've been doing this for years, but stepping into an environment like that, where it’s not your normal routine, definitely adds pressure.
I had to remind myself, what's the worst that can happen? You either win or lose. And in many ways, the challenge is almost impossible when you look at the obstacle course they give you. The fact that some trainers get the majority of it done is incredible.
I decided to go back and watch last year’s event, and it helped calm some of the nerves. As I watched, I realized most of the competitors were young enough that I could probably be their dad! That’s when it hit me – this is a serious challenge, and I’m going to need to be on top of my game. I’m 60 now, just had a partial knee replacement, and I’m not exactly sprinting around like Tarzan. But I’ve got time to prepare, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
Over the next few months, I’ll be putting the first rides on all the colts that come through. I need the practice, sure, but more importantly, I need to restore my comfort level. I want to be ready, not just physically, but mentally, for the intense environment Road to the Horse offers. Those horses will come from the Pitchfork Ranch, wild three-year-olds that have barely been handled. Any trust or confidence we build has to be earned in those three days, and if you don’t earn it, those horses will go straight into self-defense mode.
The biggest challenge for me is going to be slowing down. When you're on the clock, it’s easy to rush, but that’s the worst thing you can do with a horse. Rushing stimulates their flight response, and suddenly, you're dealing with a nervous horse who’s more focused on self-preservation than learning. I know myself – I’m naturally competitive, and that’s something I’ll need to keep in check.
In situations like this, experience matters. I've been a PRCA bronc rider and roper for 20 years, and while you can only do as well as the horse you draw, you still have to do your job. At Road to the Horse, there will be four competitors, and depending on the horse you draw, the person who finishes fourth might actually have made the most progress. Just because someone finishes first doesn’t always mean they had the hardest task.
I’m honored to be in this competition alongside some returning champions. These are trainers who’ve won before, and that experience is invaluable. Talk is cheap – at the end of the day, it’s what you can do in the round pen that matters. If you’ve already got a championship under your belt, you’ve got a huge advantage, and I’m fully aware that I’ll be the underdog. But I’m ready for that.
When the announcement came out and the messages started flooding in, it was a reminder of how much our thoughts control our emotions. The excitement, the nerves – it all felt real when people started saying, "We got tickets, we’re coming." I had to remind myself, "You’ve been doing this your whole life." Sure, I might not be the best, and there are definitely guys out there more deserving of this opportunity, but I’m here for a reason.
At the end of the day, it's about staying focused, preparing the best I can, and controlling what I can control. Road to the Horse is going to be a challenge, but it’s also an opportunity. It’s not just about winning – it’s about showing up, doing the best I can, and seeing where it takes me.
You know, when you take on a challenge like this, there’s no way you come out the other side the same. Growth is inevitable. Whether I get bucked off or not, I’m going to be better for it. I have a routine that keeps me grounded—5 to 6 a.m. is my time, where I pray, meditate, and reflect, and from 6 to 7, I’m working out. And let me tell you, that Road to the Horse competition is going to be my biggest motivator over the next six months. I’ll be ready—both physically and mentally. I may not be 35 again, but I’m going to be in the best shape I’ve been in a while. Mentally, I’ll be sharp, working on my personal development and reminding myself how lucky I am to be here.
When we get to Lexington in March, I’ll be ready to make a connection with that horse. It’s going to be about leadership and communication. That’s the foundation of horsemanship, and if I can get that horse to trust me, we’ll get through it. This whole process is going to challenge me, no doubt about it. But with every challenge comes growth.
I’m so grateful for this opportunity. Whether I win or lose, I’m okay with that. The real win for me is making a better horse than the one I started with. It’s about staying focused, slowing down, and making that connection. At the end of the day, this is God’s timing, and I’m going to enjoy every minute of it. No one grows by staying comfortable, so you’ve got to take those risks. That’s how you push yourself, how you take on fear and anxiety, and come out stronger. At the end of it, win or lose, I’ll walk away knowing I’ve grown.
