3 ways to Overcome Pre-Run Anxiety in Barrel Racing

Pre-run anxiety is a common problem for many barrel racers. It can be hard to stay calm and confident when the pressure is on, but it’s possible to turn that anxiety into something positive. We’re going to look at some simple tips and tricks you can use to help reduce pre-run jitters and channel your inner confidence before you hit the arena.

1. Visualize Your Success
One of the best ways to get over pre-run nerves is to visualize yourself succeeding. Before you go into the arena, take a few moments to close your eyes and imagine yourself running a perfect pattern with no mistakes. Picture yourself crossing the timer, feeling relaxed and proud of your performance. This kind of positive visualization will help build confidence and reduce stress before your run.

2. Get Moving
Sometimes all it takes to shake off those pre-run nerves is a little bit of physical activity! Go for a walk thru the barn or do some light stretches at your trailer before you head to the arena. You can also try simple breathing exercises like inhaling deeply through your nose for four counts and then exhaling out through your mouth for four counts - repeating this exercise five times will help relax both mind and body so that you can perform better in the arena. Remember your excited not nervous! This is supposed to be fun.

3. Focus on What You Can Control
When we feel anxious or scared, our minds tend to wander off into worst-case scenarios that are out of our control - like what if I make a mistake? Instead of worrying about things that are beyond your control try focusing on what you CAN control - like making sure you have all the right equipment set up properly, eating well before competing, or taking time to focus on your riding skills during practice so that they’re top notch when it comes time for show day. Focusing on things within your control will help keep anxiety levels low so that you can concentrate more on executing a great run in the arena!

Being able to conquer pre-run anxiety is an important skill for any barrel racer looking for success in their sport. By visualizing success, getting moving with physical activity, and focusing on things within our control, we can reduce stress before hitting the arena and increase our chances of performing well during competition! With these tips in mind, every barrel racer should be ready to face their next race day with renewed confidence.