Allen's career spans all facets of the industry.

Horsewoman Linda Allen conducted a clinic this past weekend in Aiken, and those who were lucky enough to participate in the clinic, had the opportunity to learn from one of the world's most respected names in equestrian sport.

The clinic was organized by Snaffles, INC.'s Ann Thal.

"Linda is a wonderful clinician," said Thal. "I'm thrilled that she came here, and I'm delighted with the support."

Allen participated in a number of equestrian disciplines while growing up, but would eventually concentrate her efforts toward show jumping.

When the horsewoman's competitive career as a show jumper came to an end, she was able to find ways to continue her vocation in the sport she has made her life. Allen has made an impact as a course designer, clinician, trainer, judge, steward, course director, consultant and technical delegate.

"It's the same sport," said Allen. "It's just different aspects of the same thing. If you stay in the sport long enough, it pushes you in different directions."

However, it's that vast experience and wealth of knowledge, 45 years in the industry, that earned Allen The Chronicle of the Horse's inaugural Show jumping Horseman-of-the-Year award in 1989.

"That was a big surprise," said Allen. "It's a very nice honor."

One area of the sport in particular interested Allen, and she directed her energies and talents toward the objective of being competitive at the international level. Allen would distinguish herself as a course designer. Allen is a four-time winner of the United States Equestrian Federation Walter Cox Trophy for Course Designer-of-the-Year.

A great deal of responsibility comes with being a course designer, with safety of the rider and horses being paramount, said Allen.

"The riders have to have that trust," said Allen. "They don't want to feel their horses are at risk jumping the courses. The same thing applies to teaching."

A Federation Equestre Internationale certified course designer, Allen said there was a lot of luck involved with her success. She was literally in the right place at the right time when the FEI World Cup Jumping Finals returned to the United States in 1992.

"It came back to the States for the first time in a while, and was going to be held on the west coast in Del Mar, Calif.," said Allen, whose humble demeanor and easy going personality have been readily embraced by anyone lucky enough to meet her. "I was a west coast resident, and the highest level course designer from the west coast, so I got offered the job. I really enjoyed it."

The success Allen enjoyed at the FEI World Cup Jumping Finals helped to cement her reputation internationally.

"It gave me the opportunity to be known by the Europeans," said Allen. "So, then in 1996, when United States hosted the Summer Olympic Games, I was fortunate to be asked to be the course designer of the show jumping (and for the stadium jumping phase of eventing)."

The Olympic Games were a career highlight for Allen, who welcomed the opportunity and the challenges associated with the international competition. And much like an athlete competing at the elite level, the pressure of designing a world-class course was intense.

"As a competitor, you always want to do something like that," said Allen. "The one thing I didn't realize until the day before the first day of competition that it was almost a one and a-half year to two year job getting prepared, designing, building and getting jumps built. All of a sudden, it occurred to me, if I blew it, if I didn't like the result, that was something I was going to have to live with the rest of my life because I wasn't going to get another opportunity to go back and fix it. I was happy with the results."

Show Jumping still holds every bit the fascination for Allen as it did when she first became involved with the sport.

Thal thanked the clinics sponsors for their help. Aiken Saddlery and Supply provided breakfast Saturday, Boots, Bridles and Britches and the Show Day Cafe sponsored lunch Saturday, Dietrich Insurance was the breakfast sponsor on Sunday and Dr. Sabrina Jacobs and Performance Equine Vets provided lunch Sunday.