Plantation Field Equestrian Events Inc. announced the Course Designer Development Program on Dec. 1, a mentorship with world-renowned cross-country course designer Michael Etherington-Smith of Great Britain. This opportunity will be open to all levels of course designers showing the potential to design courses to an international standard.

Selected applicant(s) will work directly with Etherington-Smith in designing the one- and two-star courses for the Plantation Field International in Unionville, Pa., the site of four U.S. Eventing Association and U.S. Equestrian Federation competitions as well as three starter horse trials annually. Beginning in the 2015 competition season and continuing under his guidance for the next couple of years, the applicant(s) will eventually take over designing these courses. They may also be asked to walk and evaluate other U.S. courses.

President and founder of Plantation Field Denis Glaccum said, “We’re very excited to be able to offer this program, inasmuch as I think it will help accelerate the development of new course designers in this country.”

PFEE committee chairman Boyd Martin said, “There are only a handful of American course designers qualified at the upper levels. Giving young designers the opportunity to learn first-hand how to design international-caliber courses is our way of giving back to the sport and improving the future of eventing in the United States.”

Etherington-Smith has kindly offered to share his considerable expertise in the interest of achieving this goal. Selected applicants will spend time with Etherington-Smith while he assesses current courses, plans future courses and coordinates with the course builder.  It is anticipated that three to five days will be necessary to fulfill the requirements of this program.

A selection committee including Etherington-Smith, Mary Coldren, Phillip Dutton, Glaccum and Martin will pick the final individual(s) by February of 2015. As this is a developing program, further requirements and dates of commitment will be communicated as the program evolves.

Interested candidates should submit the following:

• A letter requesting consideration for this program with a brief description of their background in course design as well as brief thoughts about their future ambitions within the sport.
• An up-to-date list of current courses and events that they are associated with as a designer or any other experience that they feel would be relevant to the role.

Please mail applications to: Plantation Field Equestrian Events, PO Box 82, Unionville, PA  19375. Applications also can be submitted electronically to denis@plantationfieldht.com