Upright jump phobia- help!!

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My Boys M&D

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My mare and I are regularly going double clear at BE100 level and I really want to move up to Novice. I have developed a real phobia over very upright/ gappy fences though, and this is the only thing stopping me! I am perfectly happy jumping big meaty fences, trekaners, steps, water etc when schooling but the idea of an upright gate or suspended thin log with little groundline that is more than a couple of feet high fills me with dread! I just picture my horse hitting the top and somersualting over :(

Has anyone else developed a phobia of a certain type of fence and how did you deal with it?! I'm getting really frustrated with myself as I would usually class myself as a brave xc rider, except for being a wuss over these types of jump!

My horse is more than capable (she used to showjump to 1.30m level), and is very brave so this is just a mental block for the pilot!
 
After a rotational fall I had a definite fear of uprights, my answer was to hook back even more and ride badly into them, in the end a few schooling sessions with really good trainers helped, the answer was to jump out of a show jumping canter with the engine engaged properly in a lower gear so the canter was not killed and the horse could jump cleanly.
I remember jumping single poles in the school with just a ground line and keeping the horse moving the last few strides until it happened more naturally, you can do a lot at home with simple related fences, work on going forward then coming back so the horse really sits back for the last 7, then 6, then 5 strides until you are confident you can get them back without losing too much time setting up or killing the power and having a miss, it comes down to confidence, practise and mutual trust, if she is careful in front she will look after you if you allow her to, good luck.
 
You likely know this already, but many people get drawn into looking through the gappy upright fence at the ground underneath/behind it. Don't do that! Pretend it's completely solid, don't look at the gap.

Practise jumping really gappy SJs at home, like be positive's single poles with ground lines, and keep looking over the top.
 
I think this is the type of fence that is right to be respected and does need to be ridden well. It sounds as though you are performing well and ready to step up but I would definitely get some training from a good xc coach first who understands your concerns. It might also be worth investing in a couple of equine sports psychology sessions too.
 
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