Look Like A Winner!

Part of being a winner is looking like one. I, personally, don’t feel that I perform at my best if I don’t look the part. One of the ways I make myself believe I’m a winner is by trying to look like one. It’s all part of being organized and prepared. Think about a winning barrel racer you admire. Although there are exceptions, most winners look the part. Even their barns and hauling rigs are winners. I was visiting with one of the country’s top barrel racers at a rodeo, recently. We started talking about bits and walked to her trailer so she could show me a bit she was describing. It was easy to see that she was a winner. She was so organized. Everything in her trailer had a place, and was in it! She is able to keep her mind on winning because she has organized her barrel racing business so that everything she needs is convenient and on hand. Image is so important, both to the way you feel about yourself and to the way other people judge you and your abilities. What if you went to a doctor for help dieting and the doctor was grossly overweight? Would you have much faith that he could help you? No, of course not. Barrel racing is the same way. If you want people to recognize you as a winner, look like one. Take a look in the mirror when you leave to go to a barrel race. Are you neat and professional looking, or sloppy and thrown together? Let’s talk about clothes. Now, you might not have an unlimited budget for competition clothing. That’s just fine, as long as what you do have is clean and pressed, fits properly, falls within the competition’s dress requirements and is in keeping with current fashions. I’d rather have one good outfit that fits and looks good than ten I am uncomfortable in or don’t like.

A pair of starched jeans will work for most events, with dress pants needed for some competitions. Make sure they fit and don’t restrict movement. You should be able to squat or do a knee-bend comfortably in your pants. If you can’t, then the pants are likely too tight for you to ride well. Luckily, in recent years, manufacturers have started making pants that are designed for women and are flattering and built to ride comfortable in. For guys, there’s nothing that can beat a good pair of starched jeans. I always get my pants a little longer than walking length, because when you get on a horse and your leg is slightly bend, your pants will ride up, some. Colored blouses can be bought in western stores and you can find colors that will compliment most any pants. Remember, when you compete, people are looking at you across an arena, so you will normally dress a lot more “loud” that you would when you’re not competing. Also, in choosing a shirt or blouse, make sure that the fit allows you to move your arms and shoulders freely.

Overall, remember “don’t let your clothes distract you”. If they don’t fit or you are constantly having to straighten them, or if you are uncomfortable, or if you don’t feel you look good, then you are devoting concentration to clothes that you should be applying to your barrel racing. As far as hats, I wear felt hats year round, because they are easier for me to keep on. Don’t lose your hat during competition. At the very least, it can distract you; at the worst, you can be penalized for a lost hat. If keeping you hat on is a problem, get a ‘stampede string’ to hold it on. Another reason I like stampede strings is that I can ride my horse around warming him up with my hat on before I compete. A good rule of thumb is to have two hats. A black one and a off-white one or a silver belly one. Between those two hats you can match just about every color combination and outfit. I like to have boots and belts in basic colors, too, so I can match them with several outfits. Black, grey and brown seen to be good basic leather colors. Of course, if you win a rodeo or big barrel race, you can always splurge by buying a belt/boot ensemble. Speaking of boots, I prefer the roper type boots with the round toes and lower heel. We have found that these boots allow you to keep your feet in better position in the stirrups. When I get ready to leave for a rodeo or barrel race, I take my outfit to ride in, boots, hat, etc., but I also take these extras: a sweater (to slip over my shirt if it turn off chilly enough that I need something on while I’m competing); a raincoat (in case it rains); a nice jacket (so I don’t have to borrow one if it gets cold); an extra pair of pant and a shirt (have YOU ever spilled coffee on yourself, or torn your jeans…I know I have!). The point is, be prepared! You’ll be able to look like a winner in spite of the little things that can happen if you take some time to prepare. Now that your cloths look good, what about you? Are YOU well groomed? If you have on a million dollar outfit and your hair is dirty or you need a cut or a perm is old, it spoils the whole picture. Take the time to get yourself looking good, so you’ll feel better about yourself. Let’s look at the total picture you present. YOU look good, and your CLOTHES look good. Now, take a look at your horse. Is he groomed, trimmed, brushed and clean? If you get to the jackpot and see other well-groomed horses and people, you’ll wish you had gone prepared. Then, if you try to go do it right then, you’ll get off track of paying attention to the business of competing. Oster clippers and brushes.

Do all that in advance and while you’re at it, look at YOUR TACK! Is your equipment clean and in good repair? It doesn’t have to be the newest or most expensive in the world but it should be well cared for and clean. Remember, EZ-All makes great cleaning products for your tack. I want each of you to feel like a winner. That’s why we started the Winning Ways. You can be, too, if you believe in yourself and start acting like one, looking like one and feeling like one! I love a clean horse. They feel better, look good and a clean horse doesn’t attract flies like a dirty horse. Picture of washing horses with EZ-All.