8/26 Drew Horner: Uncoiled. Critical Encouragement

 I’m on the flight to San Juan Capastrana, California, feeling a little anxious, excited, yet I have feelings of worry and fear. This is definitely something I have never really experienced. Thanks to a good friend who knows what to say. He’s been here before and understands exactly what I’m going through.

    The rodeo in San Juan Capastrana, California is an invite only rodeo. They take the top 30 contestants in the world standings in each event. It has a lot of added money, so this is a good chance to get back on track. We have been starting to catch and have been putting ourselves in good places for some good checks, but I still feel a sense of worry about the rest of the season. I broke the barrier last night at Kennewick, Washington to win some good money, but my head loops are feeling good again and my horses feel good. I’m still fighting these emotions though. That’s why I got good, experienced winners around me. Jade Corkill has been encouraging me all summer and pushing in the right direction. He faces the facts with me and tells me straight up what I’m doing, but then tells me what to focus on ad encourages me right through all of it. He has been keeping my head straight. It’s kind of funny actually. I have never felt the way I’m feeling now, and so to have someone my age “coaching” me through this is weird. He’s been where I’m at before multiple times so he completely understands. It’s pretty cool to have someone like him around, someone that ropes as good as he does at such a young age, someone I’ve looked up to and dreamed about roping with one day, to be able to know exactly what to say to help keep me on the straight path to reach my goal of making the finals. He’s been a good friend to me this year. I read a verse just now on the plane that represents what he has been doing for me. It’s Proverbs 12:25, which says “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up”.  He’s been doing exactly that for me. Showing me my errors, yet encouraging me with kind words throughout my feelings of anxiety. Thanks for a good guy like this to help me put my worry aside and keep focused on my job; making the finals!

 Jade Corkill – ’12 NFR photo.

Thanks for reading again. Keep up with me on here for in depth details of what it’s like in my #rodeolife. For the most recent updates, results, random videos, and short day to day experiences; go like my fan page (https://www.facebook.com/dhorner24?ref=br_tf), follow me on twitter @drewhorner24, and now, you can follow me on Instagram @drewhorner24 for some pics out here.  Hope y’all are doing well! Have a good one! DH