The Walk Back: How We Talk After the Run Matters Most
- afenner
- Jul 25
- 2 min read
Ranch Manager, Breeder, Rodeo Mom
You’ve seen it a hundred times — the run’s over, the gate swings open, and the kid starts walking back, reins loose, face tight.
It’s in that moment, not the one in the arena, where the real coaching happens.
Because what we say — and how we say it — during the walk back sets the tone for everything else.
It's Not Just About What Went Wrong
Whether it was a hit barrel, a missed pole, or just a nervous ride, kids already know what didn’t go right.
What they need from us isn’t critique — it’s clarity, calm, and connection:
“I’m proud of how you handled that stumble.”
“That second barrel was the cleanest we’ve had yet.”
“You kept riding, even when it got messy.”
We’re not ignoring the mistakes. We’re framing the moment.
Keep It Small, Keep It Focused
There’s a time for full run breakdowns — but this isn’t it.
The walk back is about one thing:
A quick, encouraging point.
A calm tone.
A message that says, “We’re okay. Let’s keep learning.”
Because what they feel in those 60 seconds will shape how they ride the next 60 runs.
Let the Emotions Settle
Sometimes the best thing we can do is say nothing at all for a minute.
Let them:
Cool Down.
Breathe.
Feel it — whatever it is.
We don’t fix with words. We fix with presence. And when they’re ready to talk, they’ll come find us.
Every Walk Back Is a Chance to Build Trust
If your rider knows that every post-run moment won’t be a lecture, they’ll start to:
Ride with more freedom.
Take more ownership.
Trust you with the truth — even when it’s hard.
We don’t want our kids to just ride well. We want them to walk tall — win or lose.
Final Thoughts
At Rad Rodeo, we talk a lot about coaching from the dirt. But sometimes, our most powerful lessons happen on the walk back to the trailer.
That’s where the real growth lives — in the quiet, dusty, heart-beating moments after the run.
Make them count.
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Ann-Marie Fenner
Ranch Manager, Breeder, Rodeo Mom
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