This week I want to talk about a topic that a good friend of mine, Nate Horner, brought up to me: the difference between training mode and competition mode.

It’s a subject that hits pretty close to home for me right now. Not long ago, I went to a roping where I flat out didn’t perform the way I wanted. I’ll be honest with you—I got my feelings hurt a little bit. That drive home from Dodge City gave me time to think, and what I realized is that I’ve been spending a lot of time in training mode with my horses, but not enough in competition mode for myself.

Just because I ride every day and work in the western industry doesn’t mean I’m sharpening the competitive side of my roping. And when you don’t, it shows up quick when the pressure is on.

Why Training Mode Matters

Training mode is where we build our horses. It’s where we refine fundamentals, reinforce softness, and give them the repetitions they need to stay confident. With Boone, the horse I’ve been heading on lately, this is especially important. He’s green as far as competition goes, but he’s extremely athletic and talented.

In training mode, I can slow things down for him, work on his confidence, and focus on making each repetition smoother. One tool that helped this week was putting it on in the chute—roping without worrying about catching—so I could concentrate on positioning, control, and making Boone’s job easier. That’s training mode at its best: improving the horse, one deliberate step at a time.

Why Competition Mode Matters

But here’s the thing—if I never step into competition mode in practice, I can’t expect to show up at a roping and perform like I’m trying to win. Competition mode is about trusting your muscle memory. It’s about roping sharp, being aggressive, and taking those uncomfortable shots that force you out of your comfort zone.

This week, I told Wade I was going to push myself in the practice pen—even if it meant missing some steers—because that’s how you find your edge. When you’re focused too much on training young horses, you can lose a step in your competitive game. Balancing both is the key.

Tips for Balancing the Two

Separate your focus. Dedicate some runs purely to horse development, then shift gears and make a few runs for yourself.
Practice like you’re competing. Every now and then, start your practice by running three or four steers just like you would at a jackpot.
Use the dummy wisely. Don’t over-swing—work on picking your rope up and delivering it quickly to simulate competition shots.
Get out of your comfort zone. Missing in practice isn’t failure—it’s a sign you’re pushing yourself to grow.

The Takeaway

For me, this week was a reminder that I can’t just be in training mode all the time. Training builds solid horses, but competition mode sharpens me as a roper. And at the end of the day, both my horse and I have to show up ready when it counts.

So whether you’re roping, barrel racing, or working on any horsemanship goal, ask yourself: am I balancing training mode and competition mode? If not, it might be time to adjust.