Stoping a x-race horse

Question
I rode my horse for five days in a large field, he was doing fine, with a few minor problems.  On the fifth day he spooked and started loping off, I pull back on the reins he did not stop, I pulled back again, he grunted and stretched his neck out and started to race.  There was nothing I could do to stop him.  Finally we came to a fence he made a sharp turn and went into a corned and I jumped off.  Any suggestions?  

Answer
Hi Carol, you won't like my answer!  Judging by your (short) question, I think neither you, nor the horse are ready to partners in a riding session.  I may be wrong, but I read "UNSAFE" situation all around thru the lines of your message...  it appears to me that you need to take lessons from a real good instructor.  Dressage, for instance.  Or ride in a clinic/get tapes from http://brannaman.com

This is part of what I teach students on lesson nr.1:  pulling on the reins does not stop a horse.  And it certainly will not stop a troubled horse, unless the rider does all sorts of other things too.  I like to say, horses are not running with their mouths, so why do we even think that pulling (hurting!) their lips, bars, tongues would cause a horse to stop?!  Also, have you ever watched races?  Jokeys "pull" on the reins while whipping the horses to go faster.  Many racers think if anyone pulls on the reins, it means go faster.  Reins can be used to support the horse.. that's why jockeys pull.

There are only a few things I can say in a short answer here:
1) do not ignore "a few minor problems."  If a horse acts troubled, fearful, shy, not understanding what the riders asks, a few minor things can be sings of bigger problems.  
2) What  you can do is take lessons on how to be an effective rider and use  your seat and legs to stop horses...
3) .. but mostly you'll use your *mind* and knowledge of horse pshychology to stop a horse..meaning you'll learn when and how to reward horses.
4) use groundwork first, then practice under saddle an exercise designed to stop the horse's feet and calm his mind, and  yours: the circles, smaller circles, to a one-rein-stop.  The one rein stop is about stopping the hind feet.. is really not about the reins at all, and you need a good teacher to show you how to practice before you are ready to use it in an emergency.

Rena