We’re entering the hottest part of the year here in Oklahoma, and Wade and I have been getting up early to rope. Last weekend, we finally took a couple of our younger horses to Dodge City for their first roping. Both Boone and Belle had been good at home, but until you haul one off, tie them up in a strange barn, and put them in the box with all that atmosphere, you don’t really know where you’re at.

A Piece of Humble Pie

I’ll be the first to admit—I got served a little piece of humble pie. Boone worked well, but I didn’t rope the way I expected myself to. I came home a little disgusted, and Bridget, who has been my accountability partner for 35 years, reminded me that my expectations might have exceeded my preparation heading into the weekend.

The truth is, I hadn’t been to a roping in nearly a year. I’ve been practicing here at the house, but I hadn’t put myself—or my horses—in a competitive setting in a long time. Expecting to ride in there and rope just like I do at home was unrealistic. That was a wake-up call for me.

Transitions Make or Break a Run

One of the things this experience brought back to the forefront for me is how critical transitions are in a rope horse’s training. From the run, to the rate, to getting in position for the turn—smooth transitions make your job easier. Rough transitions make your job nearly impossible.

That’s why I’ve been spending extra time on my colts working through every gait change: walk to trot, trot to lope, lope to run, then back down again, all the way to a stop. When a horse learns how to make those transitions soft and smooth, everything else in their job becomes easier. They stay balanced, confident, and ready to respond to you.

Resetting Expectations

At that roping, my horses were good. Boone did his job. Belle handled the atmosphere well, even though it rattled her a little bit at first. The weak link was me. I wasn’t prepared like I needed to be because I hadn’t put myself in that situation enough times.

That was a reminder to set realistic goals—not just for my horses, but for myself. Success in competition doesn’t come from wishing or expecting. It comes from preparation, and part of that preparation is hauling, entering, and putting yourself in real-world situations often enough to build confidence.

One Run Away

The other thing I reminded myself of after that roping is that no matter how disappointed you are, you’re always one run away from turning it around. One good run can change your whole mindset. It’s the same for all of us—whether you’re in the practice pen, at the jackpots, or competing at the top levels. Don’t let one bad run discourage you. Just keep working, keep preparing, and know you’re always one run away from progress.

Final Thoughts

So as you look at your own training this month, think about your preparation and your goals. Ask yourself: Am I being realistic with what I expect from myself and my horse? Are you building confidence through consistent preparation, or are you hoping for results you haven’t set yourself up for?

For me, this past weekend was a blessing in disguise. It reminded me to get out more, to keep working on transitions, and to stay humble. At the end of the day, it’s all part of the journey—and I’m grateful for every lesson along the way.