Dakota Kirchenschlager gets on a four-year-old Hickory Holly Time gelding owned by Turner Performance Horses, a horse he has high expectations for heading into the futurities. This colt has a lot of go and stays up, which Dakota likes, but that energy has to be channeled correctly from the start.

If the steer doesn't give him the right look or the opportunity to put his horse in the correct position, Dakota won't force it. He'll slow things down, have his header circle the cow, and reposition until the setup is right. Protecting a young horse from developing bad habits early is worth every extra second it takes to get the approach correct.

Dakota also addresses how his horse handles the jerk. If the horse doesn't take it well, he won't move on. He'll have him hold, relax, and collect himself in the exact position he wants him in before asking again. Building the right response to pressure now pays dividends later. As always, Dakota ends the session on a good note, with the horse still wanting more. On young futurity prospects especially, that mindset is everything.