When it comes to competitive riding, few moments rattle riders more than the first fence. Whether you’re a junior rider or seasoned competitor, you’ve probably felt the pressure build right before the bell rings, and if you’re like most equestrians, your brain starts to spiral.
In Episode 14 of My Podcast: “3 Mindset Shifts to Ride the First Fence with Focus”, I share simple, science-backed mental strategies that help equestrians overcome nerves, reset their focus, and enter the ring with calm confidence.
Why the First Fence Feels So Hard
Before we even get to the first jump, many riders fall into common mental traps:
Obsessing over perfection
Forecasting failure (“What if I fall?”)
Overthinking every stride
Holding their breath
Mentally checking out before they even enter the ring
Sound familiar? This happens to lots of my clients. These 3 mental shifts will help you show up focused, present, and ready to ride with clarity from the very first stride.
Mindset Shift 1 - From Perfectionism to Progress
Perfectionism sounds like ambition, but underneath, it’s really fear. Riders often tell themselves, “I have to get every stride right” or “If I mess up the first jump, my whole round is ruined.”
That kind of pressure tightens your body, shuts down your instincts, and creates the exact tension your horse feels.
Instead, trade perfection for progress. Try cues like:
“Ride a consistent rhythm.”
“Stay soft, even if my horse is fresh.”
“If it goes sideways, I’ll come back quickly.”
You don’t have to be perfect to be effective, you just need to stay engaged.
Real Rider Story: Lucy’s Shift to Progress
One of my riders, Lucy, used to crash at the first fence in nearly every show. Once she replaced perfection with a simple cue,“just feel the line”, everything changed. Her connection improved, and two shows later? She was in the top 3.
Try this: Write one progress cue before your next ride. Tape it to your tack locker. Repeat it before the bell.
Mindset Shift 2 - From Fear to Presence
Fear lives in the future. It asks:
“What if I fall?”
“What if my horse spooks?”
“What if I blow it in front of everyone?”
But your horse doesn’t ride in the future, they ride in the now. And so should you.
Try This 60-Second Pre-Ride Visualisation:
Close your eyes (once you’re safe!).
Feel your reins, your seat bones, your heels.
Inhale for 4… hold for 1… exhale for 5.
Silently say: “Be here. Ride now.”
This short practice activates your parasympathetic nervous system, the calm state that quiets fear and helps you stay grounded.
Use this pre-ride routine:
One deep grounding breath
Feel your body in the saddle
Say: “Ride what’s in front of me.”
Add Your Heading Text Here
Mid-course, your inner dialogue might sound like:
“Too fast—no, wait—leg—ahh, bad line—FIX IT!”
That’s mental noise. And it wrecks your rhythm.
Instead, use a focus cue, a simple phrase that keeps your mind anchored and out of chaos.
Here are a few rider-tested focus cues:
“1-2 rhythm”
“Soft elbows”
“Feel the flow”
“Ride to the line”
Use your cue before you enter the ring, and again as you approach fence one. Let it act as your mental steering wheel.
Bonus Mindset Shift - From Control to Trust
Sometimes, the fear at the first fence isn’t about the fence, it’s about trying to control everything:
The arena. The weather. The judge. Your horse. Your nerves.
But control is heavy. Trust is lighter.
Trust sounds like:
“I’ve prepared ….I can handle what shows up.”
“I trust my training, my instincts, and my horse.”
Let go of the need to micromanage and ride from a place of inner confidence. That’s when your best rides happen.
Listener Q&A - What If My Horse is Still Spooky or Fresh?
One rider asked: “What if I do all the mental prep, but my horse is still too fresh or spooky at the first fence?”
Mental prep doesn’t make your horse perfect—but it makes YOU better at riding through the chaos.
When you’re calm and focused, your body rides smarter. That gives your horse the chance to settle into rhythm without feeding off your tension.
Don’t Miss This - The Pre-Ride Calm Booster
Want to try these shifts before your next ride?
Download Neil’s Pre-Ride Calm Booster—a 7-minute powerful hypnosis audio
It’s been used by amateur and pro riders to help them:
Let go of nerves
Ride with clarity
Stay present from fence one
🎧 Grab it by clicking the following link