Volume 3, Issue 2 / May 2002

Shayne Carter Tool Making Clinic

The VHA wants to extend their sincere thanks to Shayne Carter for being our clinician again this year for our tool making clinic. The clinic was held on the 10th and 11th of May at the shop of Butch Hockaday of Spotsylvania, Virginia. Russ Hite, Ben Pittman, Dave Martin, Phil Miles, Dennis Pickenpaugh, Harold Plasterer, Scott Collier, John Kern and Butch Hockaday definitely got two days worth of valuable training in the art of tool making.

This year Shayne demonstrated how to make driving hammers from L6 tool steel. Shayne also demonstrated making pulloffs, bolt tongs and eye drifts. Shayne made each of these items in a coal fire while discussing in great detail the steps necessary to make each item successfully. After Shayne completed each project, he assisted clinic attendees in making each item for themselves. Two attendees worked together using free-standing coal fire forges.

In order to assist in making the pulloffs, Shayne made a hardie from a truck axle which proved to be invaluable. Also during the clinic, Shayne discussed tempering, hardening and forging of the steel used. He also discussed the use and convenience of a power hammer in making these tools.

The VHA is planning to have Shayne return next year for another clinic at Butch's shop. Possible tools to be made might include rounding hammers, fullers and hoof knives. If you would like to attend next year's clinic or have other ideas for suggested tools to be made, please contact Butch Hockaday and express your interest and/or thoughts. These clinics are limited in space to allow the clinician time to assist each attendee so expressing your interest early is beneficial.

The VHA would like to thank Russ and Jennifer Hite once again for providing such valuable support throughout the entire clinic. Russ and Jennifer were gracious enough to pick Shayne up from the airport, house him for three nights, transport him to and from the clinic, feed him and drive him back to the airport for his flight home. Russ also brought some great equipment to the clinic which proved to be beneficial and a definite time saver. Unfortunately, now everybody wants a Burr King! I wonder if they offer quantity discounts? See you next year!

Thoughts from the President!

This year seems to be full of activities within the VHA. In May, the Shayne Carter tool clinic was very successful and the attendees seemed to be very pleased with the tools they made. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage every VHA member to participate in as many VHA offered clinics and contests to expand your knowledge, improve your forging skills and enjoy the fellowship of other VHA members, their families and friends.

Orange County Fair Clinic and Contest

Its that time of year again! The Orange County Fair Contest is being held on Saturday, July 27th at the Orange County Fair Grounds in Orange, Virginia. This contest has been going on for several years and has allowed Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia farriers the opportunity to compete against each other in a friendly and comfortable setting that encourages family togetherness. This years contest will be judged by former American Farriers Team member Dave Ferguson who is also one of the few AFA members that holds the Therapeutic Endorsement.

The contest offers 3 divisions; Novice-Keg Shoe, Intermediate Handmade and Open-Advanced Handmade. The competition awards competition ribbons and the Hi-Point champion from each division receives a beautiful trophy belt buckle which is sponsored this year by Russell Hite Leather Company. The competition is held in a grove of trees right in the middle of the Fair Grounds. During the competition, fair attendees take the opportunity to watch the competition and learn the complexities of shaping and modifying keg shoes and making handmade shoes. Fair attendees really enjoy the two-man draft class and are completely fascinated by the glowing steel and the transformation that occurs when the hammer makes contact with the steel against the anvil. 

The VHA-Orange County Fair contest is a terrific event for competitors and family members. The Orange County Fair offers plenty for the entire family, from the young to the not so young. The Fair runs from Friday, July 26th to Sunday, July 28th and offers so much to see and do. Why, just on the contest day alone, the Fair offers horse shows, 4-H shows, horse pulls, miniature horse displays, pony rides, fire department demonstrations, cloggers, K-9 demonstrations, frisbee and egg tossing, livestock auction, goat milking demonstrations, country dancing, a petting zoo, Jack Russell Terrier races, exhibits, crafters, live country music and plenty of food and much much more! To find out what's going on throughout the entire Fair, visit the Orange County Fair website at www.orangecountyvafair.com. So come on out to the contest, bring the family, compete and enjoy the fair.

To help get ready for the contest, try to attend the VHA Forging Clinic being held on Friday, July 26th at Scott Collier's shop in Ruckersville, Virginia. Dave Ferguson will be the clinician for this event and will demonstrate everyday forging techniques as well as demonstrate the shoes for the competition. The forging clinic that always precedes the Orange County Fair contest has always been a tremendous success and this year plans to be no exception.

There will be an auction and raffle during the clinic. In the past, VHA members have been gracious enough to make handmade items and have donated them to the auction and raffle to help cover expenses. It is incredible the amount of talent within the VHA. The handmade items are always of the highest quality. Such time and effort goes into making these items. In the past, members have donated driving hammers, rounding hammers, tongs, pritchels, hoof knives, forepunches, tool stands and so much more. Russell Hite Leather Company will also be on hand for apron repairs.

Look for the Orange County Fair Clinic and Contest flyers soon or for additional information, contact Scott Collier at (434)985-6777 or email him at collierscott@email.msn.com. 

 Another Successful AFA Certification

The VHA held an American Farriers Association certification on April 6th at Mica Springs Farm in Mineral, Virginia. Bob Pethick, an AFA Certified Journeyman farrier, was the examiner. As in the past, Mica Springs Farm provided quality horses and a good testing environment for the practical portion of the certification for Certified and Journeyman levels. Candidates also participated in the Journeyman barshoe and certified shoe displays. The written portion of the testing had a high percentage of passing scores. The VHA is discussing the possibility of having another certification for the written, barshoe and shoe displays in the Fall. If you would like further information regarding AFA certification, contact the AFA office or you may order certification documentation from the AFA website, www.americanfarriers.org/certification.html. If you are interested in participating in the Fall certification, please contact Butch Hockaday.

The VHA would like to thank Phil Miles, John Kern, Gene Levines, Scott Collier, Butch Hockaday, Harold Plasterer, Jock Owings and Ross Kanner for helping make this a very successful two day event.

VHA Participants in the Caroline County Agricultural Fair

The 2002 Caroline County Agricultural Fair will be held from July 11th to July 14th. The Fair will be held at the Virginia Bazaar, Exit 110(Ladysmith) off Interstate 95 in Caroline County, Virginia. 

The move of the Caroline County Fair to the Virginia Bazaar enables the Fair to include animals and other activities that were not possible in previous years. Thursday, July 11th activities will start in the late afternoon and concentrate on the midway and Bluegrass music. Friday, July 12th will be a special day for both children and seniors. A children's rodeo will feature many events for children in Caroline County camps and summer schools, with more music in the evening. Saturday, July 13th will feature the agricultural scene, old and new. Animals will be shown (without fowl this year); mule teams, and tractors and equipment will be on display. There will be a petting zoo, exhibits, farm produce, crafts, and more music in the evening. Also scheduled for Saturday will be a demonstration by the VHA. Members of the VHA will demonstrate their skill at forging horseshoes. Members will also use this time to prepare for the forging contest planned at the Orange County Fair on July 27th. If you would like to participate in this VHA demonstration, please contact Butch Hockaday so arrangements can be made with the Fair coordinators.

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