CHARLIE SMITH CLINIC- MAY 2 & 3, 2008

The Yellowstone Reining Horse Association will be hosting a clinic featuring Mr. Charles Smith of Ocala, Florida, on May 2 & 3, 2008. Please contact Alice Morrison to reserve a slot to participate in this clinic. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the best. Location to be announced at a later date.

Charles Smith grew up in Westminster, Maryland with a passion for horses and a keen competitive spirit. His show pen career started when he was a kid jumping his pony bareback – he didn’t own a saddle. He moved up to game events, rodeo and finally to reining. When he started to get serious about our sport, he figured out pretty quickly that you had to spend time with a trainer if you wanted to win. He’s spent time with the best of them, learning different programs, learning how to maintain a good one, and how to get the most out of a horse in the NRHA show pen. He learned his lessons well.

Charlie began his career as a non pro and won NRHA world titles in 1981 on Foxy Lady Jay, in 1989 on Boggies Yellow Jac, and in 1990 on Kelinds Lady Jac and Tonya Lee Pine.
Through the years Smith became a horse trader, farrier, judge, teacher, showman and, in 1994, he declared himself a professional. In 2001, Charles earned the NRHA Open World title on Jac Pic A Nic. He has more than $200,000 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings.
Charlie Smith knows how to show one and knows how to win, but more importantly, he knows how to communicate his skills to his students. He has become one of the most well respected coaches in the business.

When he was a kid, he dreamed of walking across a stage to pick up a year end award. That dream came true for Charlie Smith. Now he’s in the business of making dreams come true for his clients. He’s watched more than a few walk across that stage to pick up their own NRHA year end awards. Multiple NRHA World Champions coached by Charlie Smith include Shannon Raymond (starting when Shannon won her first Youth 13 & Under title in 1989), Sandy Frantz, Bonnie Hippensteel, C.R. Hogendorp and Suzie DeChamplain – to name just a few.

Charlie Smith is known throughout the reining community as a horseman with an eye for a good horse and the uncanny ability to match a particular horse to a particular rider. He seems to know where every good horse in the country lives and has been known to rekindle the careers of many who were already sent to pasture. A respected clinician, Charles knows how to get the most out of a horse and the best out of every rider. He’s inspired many to believe in their own ability and achieve success in the NRHA show pen!

Charles Smith was inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame in 2004.