One of the leading hunter/equitation riders and trainers will be giving a Hunt Seat Clinic, sponsored by Palm Beach Riding Academy, in the International Arena on February 16 at 3:30 p.m. during the World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Week, which is the sixth week of the 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).

Smith and his wife, Emily, own and have operated Ashland Farms since 1992. They have trained and or shown to numerous championships at shows such as Devon, Capital Challenge, Pennsylvania National, Washington International, the National Horse Show and the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. They have also had several top ten placings in both the USEF Medal Finals and the ASPCA Maclay Finals as well as the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals. Recently they have trained the Gold-medal winner at the 2009 North American Junior and Young Riders Championships. Smith is also an 'R' rated judge. He has judged several equitation regionals as well as top shows around the country.

The fee is $100 per rider, and auditors are welcome at no charge.

Bobby Murphy's Course Design Clinic will be the first in a series of course design clinics. Learn how to set, walk and jump a course. Demonstration horses and riders will be included in the clinic. This is an unmounted clinic. Attendees should not bring a horse. The clinic will be held on Tuesday, February 23, at 3:30 p.m., in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring. The fee is $100 per person and includes the hands-on clinic and course design pamphlet. Upcoming clinics include the ability to walk one of the WEF Trial Courses prior to the competition guided by Bobby Murphy and the official course designer.

Other upcoming clinics with dates to be announced include: Olympic Gold medalist Laura Kraut on how to ride obstacles, including the water jump, table bank and bank; Grand Prix rider Kim Prince; Olympic Gold medalist Will Simpson on how to ride a jump-off; and a prominent rider and trainer will conduct a hunter derby clinic.

The Palm Beach Riding Academy is a full-service show, training and boarding facility located on the grounds of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The Academy welcomes riders of all ages and abilities. New this season, the Academy offers Polo lessons.

For more information and registration, please contact Rosemary Bertin, Palm Beach Riding Academy, at [email protected] or (561) 371-9598.

For more information on the 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, please visit www.equestriansport.com.