HITS Ocala to Host Karen Healey Clinic February 6 – 7

Ocala, Fla. – January 26, 2023 – HITS Ocala is thrilled to announce that it will be hosting a clinic with renowned trainer and judge Karen Healey at HITS Post Time Farm from February 6 – 7, 2023. The clinic will be held from 9 am – 3 pm each day with three levels of instruction and a lunch at the Overlook Club provided by Alliant Private Client. Karen has judged and produced winners for every major equitation final in the country, so don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the best!

Healey began her professional career in 1971 at Hunterdon Farm. In 1981, Healey moved to California where she began her own business, Karen Healey Stables. Since then, students under Healey’s tutelage have won over 100+ equitation medal finals including the ASPCA Maclay National Finals and multiple USET Talent Search Finals. Healey has accumulated a list of extraordinary credentials throughout her time as a professional. In past years, Healey has served as the Chairperson for the USHJA Equitation Task Force, a clinician for the USHJA Emerging Athlete Program and 2007 Chronicle of the Horse Person of the Year.

Participants of Healey’s upcoming clinic can anticipate exercises that further their understanding and skill at mastering the basics. The two days of learning will feature three different groups composed of six riders each, with skill levels ranging from 3’6” to 3’. Rider and auditor spots are limited, so act now to secure your spot!

Healey said, “I talk a lot about rhythm, balance and track. Those are the key elements to producing accurate rounds, so there will be a lot of discussion about hand position. There will be exercises that include opening and closing the stride, focusing on going from long to short and short to long, really encouraging the horses to be as supple and elastic as we can get them.”

Auditors alike can still expect to learn from watching the sections. Healey explained, “I think I am very clear in my instructions and I always ask if anyone has questions. I want to make sure the auditors also understand what I do with each rider and how we achieved what I am trying to get done. I’ll include the audience a little bit and hopefully, they will understand the different exercises and how I approach them with each horse because it will be a little different for each one.”

Riders spots are available for $250 per person and auditing will be available for $35 per person. Click here to reserve your spot today!