Volume 4, Issue 1 / January 2003

Virginia Horseshoers Association Year End Meeting & Clinic

     The Virginia Horseshoers Association held its end of year general membership meeting on October 26th. The meeting was held at the Kelly*s Ford Equestrian Center in Remington, Virginia. Approximately 40 people turned out for the meeting and subsequent clinic provided by Eddie Watson of Keswick, Virginia. The Equestrian Center at Kelly*s Ford was a fantastic place to have the meeting and clinic. The indoor arena provided a very comfortable environment for everyone. The amenities offered as part of the use of the indoor made having the meeting, clinic and lunch there a tremendous success.

     Discussions and presentations delivered during the meeting included the disclosure of VHA finances, a synopsis of VHA events that occurred in 2002, planned activities for 2003, highlights from the AFA Mid-Year Board of Directors Meeting and general discussions concerning the VHA newsletter, VHA and AFA websites as well as discussions on ideas for future clinics, contests, meetings and seminars.

     After the meeting, Eddie Watson of Keswick, Virginia presented a very informative demonstration using adhesives to help problems such as navicular. The VHA would like to thank Wayne Kennedy for supplying the horse and assisting Eddie during the clinic.

     At the conclusion of the clinic, a raffle and auction were held. Some pretty terrific items were donated for both the raffle and auction. The VHA would like to thank the following persons and companies for their generous donations: Wayne Kennedy, Pat Connor, Gene Levines, Mike Spitzer, Joe Sitton, Ben Pittman, Butch Hockaday, Russell Hite Leather, Monetta Farrier Specialities, SBS, FPD, NC Tool, Equilox, Save Edge, Victory Racing Plate, GE, Farrier Greeting Cards, Anvil Brand Shoe Company, Commonwealth Farrier Supply and Mid-Atlantic Farrier Supply.

     The VHA would like extend a very sincere THANK YOU to John Baer for doing so much to help out with lunch. John missed the entire meeting and most of the clinic deep frying 3 turkeys for lunch. John also provided cole slaw and a delicious pot of homemade beans. Please take time to thank John the next time you see him for supporting the VHA and spending all the time he did preparing our lunch.

     The success of this years general membership end of year meeting and clinic offers a terrific opportunity for next year*s meeting to be even better. Keep a lookout for plans for next years event and please plan to attend.

VHA Hosts Another AFA Certification

     That time of year has rolled around again and the VHA is ready to help you out. The VHA is planning to offer an AFA Certification on April 11th and 12th at Mica Springs Farm in Mineral, Virginia. This certification will cover the written and practical examinations for the Certified and Journeyman levels only as well as the shoe display and Journeyman bar shoe. Bobby Menker will be the examiner for the certification. If you have an interest in taking any portion of these tests, please contact Butch Hockaday at 540-582-5486 or email at hockaday@infi.net. Every effort will be made to offer a pre-certification clinic.

     The AFA provides online information about requirements for each level and phase of an AFA certification. To access this information, go to the following link: www.americanfarriers.org/join_afa/become_afa_certified.asp. You can also download Adobe Acrobat files of the Guide for Evaluating Farrier Competitions and Certifications and the AFA Certification Study Guide. The Evaluation Guide provides great detail on foot preparation, shoe quality, shoe fit, nailing and hoof finish. Each of these categories are judge and evaluated during the practical portion of the certification. The Study Guide details certification test rules, study guide book list, Intern, Certified and Journeyman level requirements for the written and practical portions of the tests as well as requirements for the shoe display and journeyman bar shoe. To access and download these files, go to the following link: www.americanfarriers.org/horse_owners/afa_brochures.asp and click on the desired brochure. If you do not have a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can download it for free by accessing the link provided.

Blacksmithing Clinic at Clay Hill Forge

     Twenty-four farriers attended a seminar on December 7th to learn new (new to us) forging methods. Edward Pelton and Dale Morse of Clay Hill Forge in Charlottesville Virginia, spent the day in their shop demonstrating traditional blacksmithing methods. They kept the 2 anvils ringing while working simultaneously. Dale spent the morning demonstrating how to draw, slot, punch, make tendons and forge weld. Edward incorporated much of that into the jewelry rack he created. Everything demonstrated was quite evident in the beautiful rose covered entry gates they were forging for a client. There was plenty of time to ask questions and see the answers forged. A lot of interest was generated and Clay Hill Forge offered to host some small hands on clinics in the future. Thank you to all who attended. It was good to see old and new colleagues. A special thanks of gratitude to Dale and Edward for sharing their time and talents with the members of the VHA.

 Rebirth of the AFA Website

     The American Farriers Association website is being revamped and it looks terrific. The site now includes a horse owners section. This section includes information on AFA certification, evaluating horseshoeing, horse owner clinics as well as downloadable brochures on Choosing a Farrier, Guide to Proper Hoof Care and information that answers the question, So You Want To Be A Farrier. The site also includes a terrific search utility for Finding A Farrier. Users can search for a farrier by Last Name, State or Country.

     Also included on the site is membership information detailing fees, membership and insurance benefits as well as the ability to join the AFA or renew your membership online. The calendar of events page provides an online calendar detailed by month. Information about AFA Officers, Chapters and Committees can also be found along with a links page that provides access to Farrier Publications, AFA Chapters, Blacksmith Related Sites as well as Farrier and Blacksmith schools.

     The new website also has a members only section reserved only for AFA members. This section allows users to update their membership information, download Professional Farrier (the official publication of the AFA) and participate in Discussion Forums.

     The site also includes detailed information on the upcoming AFA Annual Convention to be held in Salt Lake City, Utah from February 25th to March 1st. You will find a detailed convention schedule, planned convention events, hotel, airline and rental car information as well as convention registration information. The revamped AFA site is really worth visiting. Please take a few moments and check it out. Logon to www.americanfarriers.org and see what the hype is all about.

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