8/9 Drew Horner: Uncoiled. Focus

We are here in Lovington New Mexico, hanging out in the trailer in between steers. We just ran our first one and we were 4.8 on him. You can go watch the video on my fan page. Anyway, I have been thinking about the year and how it has been going for Buddy and I. We have had a good year so far at the rodeos. We have won enough to stay inside the top 5 and hopefully be able to keep winning enough to stay up there the rest of the season.

My dad. He didn’t want me to take this picture, let alone post I on my blog. He won’t like this pic…

We drove from Sikeston, Missouri to Lovington, New Mexico, and we passed right through Dallas Texas, where I’m from. We had a day off so we all went and did some “needed” things for ourselves. I went and practiced at my arena with my dad, and then ate dinner with my dad, step mom and my girlfriend. It was awesome. Clay went and checked on his house in Lipan, Texas, and did a few chores around his place like mow the lawn and what not. Jade is looking at buying a new house and property and so he went and looked at a few different places around the Stephenville, Texas area, and Buddy went and saw his family that lives in Stephenville. So for all of them, it was a good day off. For me, because I have been struggling quite a bit, it was a day to refocus on what I need to do.

I have not been roping well this summer at all. Buddy and I have won at the right rodeos and right times, but I have not been consistent enough as a header. I got lazy, I wasn’t working as hard at it as I used to, and it was starting to show a little bit. Buddy called me out. He was disappointed at me for my lack of focus. He said that he didn’t “see my drive” anymore. He was right.

I had other things on my mind. I was thinking about the future, thinking things that I would like to work towards in the future. I had let worry take control of my mind. Worry is never a good thing. I didn’t realize it, but worry was taking my focus away from my roping. I was worrying about the future instead of taking care of the present. I needed to refocus. I went and practiced, then got to see my family. I regained some sharpness in my roping and my head loops, and then relaxed for an evening with the people I love.

Me, Liz, and Buddy

It was AWESOME! My motivation came back! It’s incredible. I could not do it without a few people in my life; my family, my girlfriend and Buddy. I shouldn’t say I couldn’t do it, but they sure do help me a lot with it. The support these people give me is unfathomable. They love me, and it shows. I’m out here on the road, because I love to win. I love to compete at the highest level. I want to be the best I can be. It’s hard sometimes because it is lonely out here. The support I have at home and from my roping partner carries me through the times I can’t carry myself. Good relationships are vital to success. Nobody gets anywhere without a little help somewhere along the way. These are the people that will yell at you when you aren’t focused, or call you out when you need it, and also the people that will serve you when you need help, or guide you along the path of life. I am thankful for these people in my life. They are helping shape me into who I am today. God uses people to change you. You just have to listen to them, and let God work.