In my life I have encountered 3 types of barrelracers and rodeo athletes:
1. The hobbyists. They make up the majority. They're just happy to have their bestie barrel horse at the race. They want to do well- but win, lose or draw, good ol Lightnin is gonna get all the pets, 12 cookies and 4 legs of poultice followed by all the best supplements money can buy.
2. The horse is the tool. These types of jockeys made up their minds that they were going to be the best at a particular genre of barrelracing. Whether they have chosen professional rodeo or futurities they expect to load a horse in the trailer that can help them accomplish those goals. The horses are treated like professional athletes and are expected to perform that way. If and when they don't make the cut or age out, they are often culled to another program...a program or jockey more fitting. They are not easily replaceable but carefully replaced by the next superstar hopeful...considered by genetics, progeny and temperament. It's a science. These competitors win...and stay winning. It's where they belong...at the tippy top.
3. The horse is the reason. I self identify with this group. My professional resume is a little 'all over the place" because I just go where the horse I have can compete... I have no preference really, I just want whatever horse I have to compete at the highest level they can. Some horses could be the best at the $35 person entry jackpot but fall short away from home..others went to the ammy rodeos and did well but couldn't handle the long hauls of pro rodeo...others stepped up and were tough 1d big show horses and others came on early to make good novice/futurity horses. Athletes like me fit in somewhere between the above mentioned 2. We don't really care where we are at as long as we don't look too stupid when we get there. We often keep the same horse for decades and compete at every level we can...our personal goals are set by the horse we have in the trailer.
I say all of THAT to say this....when you identify who you are in this sport, it becomes more enjoyable...envy completely goes out the window. If you find yourself secretly hating on the top 15 at the NFR every year it's probably just because you're a professional sitting on a hobby horse- or maybe you're just a hater LOL!! I'm trying to give you the benefit of the doubt. If money wasn't a factor, who would you be? If you don't have THAT horse in your rig, then I want you to do everything you can to get it.
In the end your identity should rest in being a child of God... period. However, who you are in the arena is up to you. Most of the time, when I'm coaching people I've found that their frustration is coming from the fact that they don't know who they are... therefore they don't know where they are going. Happy reflecting 