Volume 4, Issue 3 / June 2003

Shayne Carter Tool Making Clinic

     On May 16th and 17th, the VHA held a tool making clinic at Butch Hockaday's shop in Spotsylvania, VA. Shayne instructed the group in making rounding hammers, fullers and flatters. This was the third tool making clinic Shayne has done for us in as many years. In the past years, we have made eye punches, mandrels, head stamps, hoof knives, drifts, fullers, pritchels, pulloffs, driving hammers, tongs for flat stock and bolt tongs.

     Most of the tools were made by pairing up and striking for each other but Butch's air hammer also got a work out. Shayne's expertise in tool making really shows when he makes the rounds among the participants showing how to refine a technique or fix a mistake. Even if you don't want to make tools, these clinics are well worth attending to learn how to customize and maintain your store bought tools. Something to think about when your nail holes or fullering just won't come out right.

     Thanks to Connie and Butch for opening up their shop and home and making such great food every year. Thanks also to Russ and Jennifer Hite for picking up Shayne at the airport and housing him. Clinics like this don't just happen. People go to great lengths and extra effort to put these events together. We are discussing having Shayne return for a fourth year and he has expressed interest in doing so. If you are interested in attending next year's clinic or have a suggestion or idea for a future event, contact myself at 434-985-6777 or Butch at 540-582-5486.
 

VHA Elections

     Serving as an Officer or Board member for the Virginia Horseshoers Association is a terrific opportunity to help your association grow. Serving the association will provide you the opportunity to recommend ideas for clinics, contests and other educational functions to the voting members within the association. Serving the association offers you the opportunity to represent the VHA at horse owner clinics, horse industry seminars and other related functions. Serving as an Officer or Board member allows your voice to be heard on association-sponsored events!

     New VHA Officers and Board of Directors will take office in January 2004.

     In accordance with the VHA By-Laws, Article II, Section 3, each officer will be elected to serve a term of two years but may be reelected to serve consecutive terms. In accordance with the VHA By-Laws, Article III, Section 3, each director will serve a term of two years.

     Connie Hockaday will serve as the 2003 election*s point of contact. Any VHA member, who wants to hold an office, serve on the Board of Directors or recommend a nominee should contact Connie at 540-582-5486. Connie will consolidate the list and submit it to the association Secretary to place their names on the upcoming election ballots.

     Election ballots for the 2004/2005 term will be mailed out 30 days prior to the VHA General Membership meeting. The meeting is scheduled for August 15th and 16th. Results of the elections will be announced at the meeting.

AFA Certification

     The VHA held an American Farriers Association certification on April 11th and 12th at Mica Springs Farm in Mineral, Virginia. This year, Bobby Menker from Ohio served as our examiner. Bobby did a terrific job and helped make this a great event. The written portion of the test was conducted on Friday night while the practical, shoe display and bar shoe portions of the testing were taken on Saturday.

     Every year, Mica Springs Farm does a great job lining up horses for us to test with. This year, the horses were terrific as expected. Harold Plasterer, the barns regular farrier, goes the extra mile to ensure that everything is in order so to guarantee the certification goes off without a hitch.

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