Letting Go of Perfectionism

and Finding Ease in Excellence

Perfectionism Is the Enemy of Progress

In the equestrian world, many riders strive for perfection—flawless performances, impeccable techniques, and unblemished records. But here’s the truth: perfectionism doesn’t lead to excellence; it stalls it.

Perfectionism keeps you stuck, second-guessing every decision, fearing mistakes, and avoiding risks. It creates a cycle of inaction, where the fear of not being perfect prevents any meaningful progress.

Excellence, on the other hand, is achieved through action, learning, and growth. It’s about embracing imperfections, learning from mistakes, and continuously improving.

Let's talk about options!

Break Free from the Chains of Perfectionism

Learn the science-backed approach of play.

Imagine what riders could achieve if they let go of the need to be perfect.

Feel the benefits of learning in a group.

By working in a group, we employ several types of learning methods, building confidence and ditching FOPO (fear of other people's opinions).

Make progress faster.

When riders learn to ditch their perfectionist tendencies and embrace the messy magic of real learning, missing pieces fall into place faster.

Your clinician: Anna Fox

Why Host a Clinic with Me?

I’ve trained horses across disciplines, studied classical dressage in Germany, and coached riders from the show ring to the trail. I’ve also worked 18 years in public safety as a 911 dispatcher—so I know pressure. I know what it’s like to freeze, overthink, and try to muscle your way through stress. Riders do it. Horses feel it. Progress stalls.

Add to that my background in athletic training, and I don’t just understand what your riders are trying to do—I understand what’s holding their bodies and brains back from doing it.

Perfectionism isn’t a quirk. It’s a performance killer. And in dressage, it shows up as tension, over-cueing, disconnected movement, and horses that start to shut down or resist. Riders get frustrated. Confidence drops. And nobody’s having fun.

This clinic changes that.

We dismantle the perfectionism mindset and replace it with what actually creates excellence: feel, autonomy, timing, and trust. When riders learn to let go of rigid control, their horses move more freely—and their progress finally clicks.

Equus Enlightened logo
man with horse
Allison Spivey Dressage
girl jumping horse

When I met Anna, I was a novice horseman with several rescue horses, each with unique challenges. She provided structure, guidance, and tailored training that helped me rehabilitate, train, and ride my horses with confidence. Her honest, patient advice and actionable techniques made goal-setting and progress achievable. Thanks to her support, my horses and I have a better quality of life, and I’ve grown far beyond what I thought possible. If you’re looking for a trainer who truly respects both horse and rider, Anna is the one.

~Steve R

In the nine years that I worked with Anna, she trained a variety of different horses at many levels of education. She approached each of these horses with compassion, expertise, and patience. Anna was able to help improve these horses whether they were very green, schooled, dull, or hot both from the ground and from the saddle. Anna has provided me with invaluable knowledge and guidance as she has helped me progress from a C2 on a quarter horse pony all the way to becoming an HA pony clubber and a USDF Silver Medalist. I would highly recommend Anna to anyone looking to improve not only their riding, but also their training ability and their relationship with their horse.

~Allison Spivey (Spangler)

Not only has Anna improved my skills as a rider, but more importantly, she has instilled in me a sense of confidence. I wholeheartedly recommend Anna for riders of all levels, whether you're a beginner eager to learn or an advanced rider looking to enhance your abilities. I've also witnessed Anna transform a young, inexperienced horse into an amazing athlete. Anna is truly the best.

~Nikki Young

INTRODUCING

Letting Go of Perfectionism

Finding ease in Excellance

Single Day Clinic:

  • Pre-clinic exercises (lifetime access)

  • 4 groups of 2-4 riders

  • 1.5 or 2 hour sessions

  • Riders get all day audit access

  • 30 minute Q&A over lunch

  • Lifetime Access to Online Community

  • Opportunity to book more days

  • Potential for private sessions

Immersive Experience:

  • Pre-clinic exercises (lifetime access)

  • 6-8 participants

  • 2.5-3 DAYS of educational fun

  • Group and private sessions

  • Classroom type sessions

  • Groundwork exercises

  • Lifetime Access to Online Community

Letting Go of Perfection: Finding Ease in Dressage for Horse & Rider is a revolutionary, interactive clinic designed to help riders overcome perfectionism, ride with confidence, and create true harmony with their horses—using a playful mindset. Why play, you ask? Because horses and humans learn better at play! No, this doesn't mean we'll be playing with giant soccer balls or foam bats (but, we could). Play is all about the attitude riders take into their sessions!

As a facility owner, you can host this clinic with no stress, no financial commitment, and no hassle—just a valuable experience for your riders and boarders. Participants will gain skills that support their current program, making them more adaptable, mindful, and engaged students. Rather than conflicting with their current training program, this clinic helps riders develop better communication, relaxation, and problem-solving skills, ultimately enhancing how they learn moving forward.

Let's Get Started

Hosting a Successful Clinic with Equus Enlightened in Four Easy Steps!

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1.

Book a Call

Click the link below and pick a time that works well for you to connect over Zoom. You'll receive a general guidelines form in your email, so we can discuss clinic details when we meet.

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2.

Let's get ready

Once the details have been set, a contract will be emailed to you. Once that is signed (you can do it electronically). Your event page will be given a dedicated link. Riders and auditors pay online when registering, so you don’t have to chase checks!

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3.

Promotion made easy

You'll receive everything you need to fill your clinic, including templated social media posts, emails, and print materials!

Post on your social media accounts using the templated posts. Personalize and send emails to your email list. Provide print materials to local stables, tack and feed stores, and horse shows.

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4.

Relax and enjoy your successful clinic!

And get ready to be bombarded with “when is she coming back?” questions.

What if we approached each moment as a chance to understand rather than control? Imagine slowing down and opening our minds to possibilities, to learning from the present, rather than chasing outcomes. It’s in that presence—just like with our horses—that we find connection and peace.

Anna

GET STARTED BY BOOKING A CALL WITH ME!

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: How is this clinic different from regular dressage clinics?

I use a teaching approach that includes several modalities science has shown to be most effective when teaching horses and humans. These sessions go beyond the traditional 45 minute 1:1 drilling session. My approach allows the humans and horses to think, feel, understand, and really learn the concepts they need to advance their training.

Question 2: How many riders and auditors should I expect?

Typically, I like to have a total of 16 riders per day, but we can discuss facility capacity in more detail if needed. Auditors can be limited to however many you think the facility can accommodate.

Question 3: What are the costs involved for hosting?

My goal is to bring this clinic to host facilities at no cost to you. If you would like to provide services such as stabling, turnout, or camper facilities, you can arrange those fees with participants.

Question 4: What skill levels and disciplines are welcome?

This clinic is open to riders in any discipline and a variety of skill levels. Riders do need to have the skill to navigate their horses safely in the arena with other horse/rider pairs.

Question 5: Will my facility be listed or promoted on your website or social media?

Yes! I will make you specific promotional materials that we can share together for a bigger impact.

Question 6:Will this clinic interfere with my training program?

Not at all! The goal of Letting Go of Perfection: Finding Ease in Dressage for Horse and Rider is to give riders more tools in their toolbox, not to replace their existing training. This clinic focuses on cross-training with confidence, increasing rider awareness, and improving feel—all of which enhance a rider’s ability to learn and apply your instruction more effectively.

Rethinking Dressage: How Group Learning, Play, and Community Create Lasting Progress

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