The Run For A Million is undoubtedly one of the vital anticipated occasions within the Western world. With the unique purpose of celebrating and bringing consciousness to the game of reining, the profitable occasion is now increasing to incorporate much more Western efficiency horse disciplines.
The competitors takes place on the South Level Enviornment and Equestrian Middle in Las Vegas, Nevada from August 17-20, 2022. For the principle occasion, sixteen riders, together with a number of the most achieved NRHA professionals within the historical past of reining, will compete for a handbag of $1,000,000. Along with the million-dollar reining competitors, there may be now a $170,000 Cow Horse Problem, $150,000 Open Shoot Out, $50,000 Bull Fighters Solely Struggle for Fifty, $30,000 Cowboy Invitational, and a $50,000 Non Professional Championship and Bloomer Rookie Championship. The addition of disciplines is bringing riders from a mess of backgrounds collectively at one competitors and is likely one of the richest occasions within the Western efficiency horse business.
Hearken to 2021 The Run For A Million winner Kole Worth on The Trip Podcast.
Our Horse&Rider OnDemand knowledgeable Brad Barkemeyer was one in all eight riders to qualify for the $170,000 Cow Horse Problem. We sat down with Brad to see how he’s making ready himself and his horse CR Robust Taffy (aka Robust), owned by Vaqueros Enterprise, for the large occasion.
1. It’s Not All Technical
Brad says that one of the vital vital elements in his coaching plan for The Run For A Million is to maintain Robust in good bodily situation. He’s a laid-back horse who is aware of his job and doesn’t require fixed coaching.
“He’s simple to coach. I don’t must work him actually onerous to maintain him tuned up. He needs to be good and he is aware of his job. I don’t must pound day after day to organize for an occasion.”
Reasonably than drilling the maneuvers wanted for the competitors throughout each journey, Brad says he stays extra centered on retaining him in good situation, ensuring his endurance is the place it must be, and retaining him sound and able to go.
“So far as the technical coaching a part of it, we’re at all times working in direction of perfection so I’ll work on little issues right here and there however for probably the most half I can depend on him after I want him to be there with me.”
After returning dwelling from The Derby in June, Brad determined to offer Robust a break earlier than The Run For A Million. He says Robust had a few month of leisure so he might relaxation up. Since then, he’s been specializing in his general bodily situation and ensuring he’s sturdy and match sufficient for the competitors.
“I believe lengthy trotting is an integral piece of conditioning a horse to the place they preserve their muscle tissues shifting and their legs working correctly. It helps get their endurance up to allow them to catch their breath throughout a long term.”
Working out of Scottsdale, Arizona, Brad says he rides Robust out within the desert and trots within the deep sand to offer him an excellent bodily exercise whereas letting his thoughts keep relaxed.
Learn Extra: 3 Gear Ideas From Brad Barkemeyer
2. Keep within the Proper Mindset
One thing that could be very totally different about this occasion from when Brad is generally competing is the media protection, massive crowds, and general hype throughout the competitors. That is one thing that may actually have an effect on the mindset of the rider not solely because the occasion will get nearer however throughout his journey.
“For me mentally, I’ve been specializing in not getting wrapped up within the hype of the occasion. I’ve to remind myself that it’s simply one other horse present. It’s a one-run with rein work and fence work, which I’ve carried out a thousand instances.”
Brad says he has to maintain his psychological focus and never let the hype get to him so he can preserve doing what he would usually do together with his horse. With the entire media protection and social media posts surrounding the occasion, it’s been troublesome to dam it out, however Brad is aware of it’s vital to separate that from the precise competitors.
As a result of Brad is barely competing with one horse at The Run For A Million, he’s going to have much more free time than at regular horse exhibits. He usually has many different horses and purchasers to work with moderately than simply specializing in himself. Whereas Brad might arrive on the facility just a few days earlier than the occasion begins, he plans to reach simply two days early to offer himself time to organize. He doesn’t wish to be there lengthy sufficient that the stress and setting affect their efficiency.
3. Put together For Noise
The massive viewers and the excited crowd is one thing that Brad and Robust aren’t used to throughout most competitions. Fortunately, Brad rode Robust within the World’s Biggest Horseman competitors only a few months earlier than. Brad thinks this might be a giant benefit for the pair going into The Run For A Million as a result of it will likely be the same ambiance.
“The World’s Biggest finals was a reasonably electrical ambiance, so I really feel fairly good about him being in that type of setting.”
He additionally says he’s going to experiment with ear plugs to see how Robust handles them and would possibly think about using them throughout his run. Brad additionally plans to blast loud music in his indoor area at his barn to try to introduce Robust to extra outdoors influences so he learns to remain centered and never get distracted by the noise.
He says that a part of the explanation he selected to compete on Robust is that he’s an skilled present horse who doesn’t change into overly stimulated simply by outdoors influences. Protecting this in thoughts, Brad nonetheless plans to introduce Robust to some new sounds and environments to try to put together as a lot as doable for the distinctive ambiance this occasion will convey.
We’re excited to cheer Brad on and keep tuned for extra information about his expertise at The Run For A Million.
To study extra about Robust and the way Brad plans to organize for the $170,000 Cow Horse Problem, tune in to Episode 70 of The Trip Podcast.
