Looking Down at Fences when Jumping...

[Talou]

...I just can't stop doing it!

I keep reminding myself then when I get to the jump I look down.. :rolleyes:

I know why though...it's because I don't know when exactly to go into the 2point position...if I did it a few strides before the fence I'd lose my balance..so I do it right before the fence and look down..I try to focus on something ahead..but I just can't hehe...

What should I do?

[Kira657]

I used to do this too, focussing on something ahead of the jump helped me but i'm stuck for other ideas to give you! Sorry im not much help!

[Mehitabel]

have someone standing at the other end of the school holding up varying amounts of fingers - you call out how many fingers they are holding up. very useful for breaking the habit to begin with.

[cvb]

...I just can't stop doing it!

I keep reminding myself then when I get to the jump I look down.. :rolleyes:

I know why though...it's because I don't know when exactly to go into the 2point position...if I did it a few strides before the fence I'd lose my balance..so I do it right before the fence and look down..I try to focus on something ahead..but I just can't hehe...

What should I do?

Talou - the fold needs to be in response to the horse, not "mechanical" (like with rising trot). So actually you should just be able to feel it, and react to it as it happens. if you over-think it, that is often when people over-fold...

[andreaB]

try jumping with your eyes close if the horse is reliable enough

doesn't have to be big!

this will also help you to feel what is happening too as opposed to relying on sight , although you do need to have a certain amount of confidence in yourself & horse for this & a ground helper is useful too

[ConfettiPony]

Try to focus on one particular object in the distance. Concentrate on feeling when to jump, not seeing it. And as cvb said, the movement of the horse should push you into 2point. You shouldn't have to push yourself into it so much.

I used to look down a lot, because I didn't trust myself when to know when to jump it (as in when the distance was). I don't look down much anymore, except when I get nervous. Which is not good as if I'm nervous the horse is already acting up, and then I'm also looking down. I'm really trying to work on that. :rolleyes:

[Dreamchaser]

I used to do the same thing. I started practicing when to jump. So I would just canter over a ground poll and I would do it over and over again, going into jumping position the canter stride going over it. It really helped me see the distances and become more confident in when we were jumping.

[kirstie]

Agree look and concentrate on something that is infront of yo dont take your eyes off it as you go over the jump its something i normally do as well you wont be the only one!! :)

[EquestrianRider]

Try and feel the jump... What I mean is try and use your natural instinct on when to get into two-point.

It's important to always look up over a jump. If you look at the jump, (at least in my case), the horse is more than likely going to refuse the jump. Be strict with yourself! Don't let yourself look at the jump. Focus on an object at eye level in the distance and don't let yourself look down.

Best of luck...

[teapot]

I was told to either look at the top of the trees (that faced the arena) or my instructor would sit on the fence facing me as I jumped with fingers held up asking me to count how many there were.

[Talou]

I used to look down a lot, because I didn't trust myself when to know when to jump it (as in when the distance was).

That's exactly how I feel!
I'll try to work on it in today's lesson though. :)

[Dummer&Drummer]

i do that :) when i did my first and only xc comp i invested in a little black neck support-about an inch and a half wide and cost about a tenner, it was great as aside from a bit of extra protection i found i could NOT look down :D is a habit better off being broken though :)

[Talou]

I want that! Is there any way you can send it over? ;)