Three young horseshoers were recognized for outstanding career progress in the equine footcare field during the recent 10th International Hoof-Care Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio. These individuals were honored as Rising Shoeing Stars in a program that promotes the importance of further footcare education while encouraging young shoers to succeed in their careers.
Farriers = Best in horse hoof care
Three young horseshoers were recognized for outstanding career progress in the equine footcare field during the recent 10th International Hoof-Care Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The program is co-sponsored by six outstanding equine footcare industry suppliers that include G.E. Forge & Tool, Delta Mustad Hoofcare Center, Life Data Labs, Purcell Farrier Supply, R.J. Mathews Co. and Vettec.
This year’s program honored three outstanding farriers who graduated from horseshoeing school in 2009 and have spent the past 3 years establishing their equine footcare careers.
The first-place farrier received $1,000 and had his expenses paid to this year’s International Hoof-Care Summit to accept the award in front of the industry’s leading footcare professionals. Two runners-up each received $500 awards.
Jake Giguere of Smithers, British Columbia, is a 2009 graduate of the Pacific Horseshoeing School in Plymouth, Calif. He handles the footcare work of 300 horses in Northern British Columbia and works closely on therapeutic shoeing concerns with most of the equine veterinarians located within 75 miles of his home.
Already on the road to becoming an outstanding farrier at a young age, his goals are to provide a good living for his family, earn the respect from clients and equine veterinarians and enjoy industry recognition as an excellent farrier.
Justin Court of La Grange Ky., is a 2009 graduate of the Kentucky Horseshoeing School at Richmond, Ky. Specializing in Thoroughbred footcare, he grew up around racetracks and breeding farms. Along with his trimming and shoeing skills, he attributes much of his success to being able to stay calm, cool and collected in his daily work.
Wayne Whitson of Viola, Del., is a 2009 graduate of the Lookout Mountain Horseshoeing School in Gadsden, Ala. While he handles footcare work with many types of horses and has done some training of horses, he’s working toward specializing in the footcare work of Standardbred horses.
Nominations for next year’s 2014 Rising Shoeing Star program are now being accepted. To nominate a young farrier who graduated from a horseshoeing school in 2010, send a two- or three-page letter explaining why he or she is a candidate for a “Rising Shoeing Star” award. Mail your nomination to American Farriers Journal, P.O. Box 624, Brookfield, WI 53008-0624 or email it to lessitef@lesspub.com prior to Aug. 31, 2013.