Last Fence-itis

[Elvengirl]

Just got home from my first "away" show.

It was pretty fun, and especially loved how the announcer said " This rider's come all the way from....!!!" Made me feel special! :D

However, I had some rather depressing rounds and seem to have just developed a severe case of last fence-itis! Every round I'd nail perfectly, smooth, get all my turns, all my distances and ride the last fence of my course or jump-off like a crazy thing and end up pulling a rail or having a stop!! It got to the point that I was in tears because I was so angry at myself. BUT I just kept doing it! Anyone have some advice to help me with this...it's really heart wrenching as my horse gives me so much effort and I keep letting him down! I have suggest to mum to yell "fence!" at me when I come to my last fence, but any other ideas are welcome! :)

[KTSmini]

I used to do this all the time!

For me, it was because for all the previous fences I was not only concentrating on the fence I was approaching, but also setting myself up for the next fence which kept me very focused. When I got to the last one, I would be concentrating SO hard on 'just getting over the last fence' that I'd end up doing too much.

To help me stop, I just pretend that I have another fence to jump after the last one and it did the trick. It sounds simple, but it's actually difficult to get your mind to focus.

I don't know whether that would suit your circumstance... you sound like you're more advanced than me.... but I thought it worth mentioning!

[Perfect Pony]

this may sound silly but i usually do the same and it is because with the others you concerntrate on the over not the going up as your already thinking about the next fence, found a way tho, i concerntrate on the finish line or if shadow is particulary excited concerntrate on where im going to go to turn him to slow down without demolishing the course weve just done or killing anyone!!! Works tho, just keep you mind focused over the fence and not on the fence!!!
My jumping instructor always taught me asses the fence you will be jumping before you jump the previous one, concerntrate on looking over the fence not at the fence!!!
Hope this helps :D
I know isnt it great when you get loads of support at a show!!! However then you balls it up when everyone is watching!!!
That happened at a show last year with me, the guy said next is carla taylor on shadow dancer, the winner of the last 2 classes!!!
Then we knoked loads down and ended up 4th!!! Dam comentator man put the pressure on me!!! grrrr :(

[Jojo_82]

Mine used to be the other end of the course... I had first-fence-itis! :o

If I was going to have a pole down, it would 9/10 be at the first... sooooo frustrating! :mad:

[Elvengirl]

Thanks for the advice, I will definatly try the suggestions. I think you are all right in that I just have to change the way I think about the last fence. All through the course I'm either concentrating on my next turn or next fence, and the last fence is like "just get over this last fence and you've had a perfect round!!" not very effective! I have another show in a couple weeks, so I'll try what you guys have suggested.

I do tend to look down at a fence if I don't keep my mind busy so I'm sure if I get myself to look up at something else, it may work out! Thanks! :)

Jo, I'm sure I will experience that at one point too...it's so hard to get out of something that you expect to happen! Did you eventually cure that? How did you do it?

[Bananaman]

I've been told to jump the first fence like it's the last and the last fence like it's the first.
That way you're riding confidently for home as you come to your first fence and really pushing like mad to get over that last fence cause there's loads more to go. ;)

So essentially, exactly what these guys are saying. :D