Nerves, Competition Control

Nerves show up when competition matters.

NERVES: Competition Control is a practical, no-fluff handbook written specifically for barrel racers who want to ride with clarity, control, and consistency under pressure.

This is not a motivational book and it is not about eliminating nerves. It is about understanding them, managing them, and preventing them from interfering with your ride or transferring to your horse.

Written by professional barrel racer, clinician, and Equus Award–winning author Marci Powell, this handbook breaks down how competition nerves actually show up in real rodeo environments — at the gate, mid-run, after a miss, when expectations rise, and when outside noise starts to creep in.

Inside, you'll learn how to:
• Stay mentally steady when pressure increases
• Prevent nerves from tightening your body or confusing your horse
• Stop overloading individual runs with too much meaning
• Manage external opinions and advice without losing focus
• Ride with control instead of emotion
• Build consistency that holds up when it matters most

This book is designed to be used before runs, after tough days, and during high-pressure seasons. It's a reference you come back to when things feel loud — not a book you read once and forget.

If you want a calm, confident horse underneath you, it starts with a calm, controlled rider.

NERVES is the handbook you keep in your trailer.