Confidence in the Chaos: Pre-Run Rituals That Work
- afenner
- Jun 29
- 2 min read
If you’ve ever tried to calm a jittery kid (or a jittery horse) behind the arena at a jackpot, you know what I mean when I say: rodeo is organized chaos. It’s fast-paced, it’s loud, and it’s full of pressure-packed moments — especially right before a run.
Over the years, we’ve figured out what helps us stay grounded and helps our kids perform with poise, not panic. Spoiler alert: it’s not luck. It’s rhythm. It’s repetition. It’s ritual.
At Rad Rodeo, we use pre-run rituals not just to calm nerves, but to build confidence. Because when your body knows what’s coming, your brain stops yelling.
Why Rituals Work
Rituals give us something to control when everything else feels wild.
They:
Provide mental consistency in unpredictable environments.
Anchor the rider (and horse!) in routine.
Build confidence through repetition.
Send the brain a signal: “We’ve got this.”
Whether it’s a breath pattern, a grooming routine, or a quiet moment in the trailer, the point is not perfection — it’s predictability.
What Our Pre-Run Routine Looks Like
We’ve found that the simpler the better. Here’s a version of what we use with our kids:
Grooming as ConnectionWe use braiding time to slow everything down and check in with the horse and rider. It’s not rushed — it’s bonding. A few braids and a few sparkles can work wonders for confidence.
Quiet in the SaddleBefore we walk to the alley, we let them breathe. No barking instructions. Just reminders to trust the work. Trust the horse. Do your job and help the horse.
A Phrase or MantraOurs vary — from “Clean Run, Have Fun!” to “Trust Your Horse.” The key is: the phrase means something to them. It pulls them into focus.
The Tap & NodIt’s silly, but each of our kids has a little gesture they do right before the alley — a touch of the withers, an adjustment of their seat, or a wave to mom. It’s their go signal.
These routines don’t guarantee a clean run. But they create a rhythm — a psychological home base — they can return to every time.
Adjusting for Adults
This isn’t just for the kids. I’ve had to find my own version of “calm in the chaos.” Mine might look like:
Visualization on the drive to the arena.
A deep breath at the back of the alley.
A whispered thought while tightening the cinch.
Whatever it is, it’s less about superstition and more about intention.
Teaching Through Repetition
Over time, the rituals become the routine. They quiet the nerves, shorten the emotional distance to go-time, and teach our kids to:
Trust their preparation.
Focus on what they can control.
Let go of the noise.
We’re not just coaching for clean runs — we’re coaching for mental toughness. And these little routines? They’re the tools that make pressure feel familiar.
Final Thoughts
Rodeo is chaos. But within that chaos, we’ve found confidence.
Through small habits, meaningful moments, and intentional routine, our riders (and horses) learn to step into the alley ready.
Because when nerves rise and crowds roar, it’s the little things — the rhythm, the breath, the mantra — that bring the calm.
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Ann-Marie Fenner
Ranch Manager, Breeder, Rodeo Mom
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