american farriers team™
In 1979, the Irish Horse Board sent an invitation to the AFA, a relatively new and small organization, inviting us to send a farrier team to participate in their competition at the Royal Dublin Horse Show. In response to this invitation, the North American Horseshoeing Team (NAHT) was formed.
Bob Marshall of Mission, British Columbia, was the impetus behind the NAHT until 1982. Bob, a top competitor in England before immigrating to Canada in the 1970’s, was familiar with the style of shoeing and the types of shoes made in British and Irish competitions. At that time, these shoes were not common in North America, so Bob’s instructions and insights were especially valuable to NAHT members.
For the past fifteen years, the “team,” now known as the American Farriers’ Team or AFT, has been chosen by point standings in the North American Forging and Horseshoeing Competition held each year at the AFA Convention. Team standings are announced at the Annual Awards Banquet at the close of the Convention.
Four AFT members, along with alternates, leave Convention as international representatives of the American Farrier’s Association. While traveling to competitions, AFT members serve as informal ambassadors of the AFA and the horseshoeing profession in the US and North America. Conscious of the support of the AFA and the entire farrier industry, AFT members make a concerted effort to share what they have learned in international competition with the AFA community.
AFT UPDATE: RESULTS FROM CALGARY STAMPEDE
The AFT fared well in the grueling 4-day marathon of furious forging at The World Champion Blacksmiths’ Competition held July 3-6, 2008 at the legendary Calgary Stampede. With every hammer blow and drop of sweat, each team member had their speed, skill and spirit tested and tried from top to bottom. The AFT managed to conquer the high altitude, hot tempers and demanding environment by earning honors throughout, among the highlights:
JAKE ENGLER: Winner Rookie Award - 3rd Speed Forging - 3rd Two Man Team Shoe (with Gene Lieser) - 4th Forging Front Work Horse 1 - 6th Forging Front Draft Scotch Bottom - 8th overall!
TROY PRICE: 1st Two Man Team Shoe (with Jim Foy) - 2nd Forging Front Work Horse 2 - 4th Speed Forging - 6th Forging Front Work Horse 1 - 8th Two man Team Tongs (with Jim Foy) - 10th overall!
JIM FOY: 1st Two Man Team Shoe (with Troy Price) - 5th Forging Light Front Draft - 8th Two Man Team Tongs (with Troy Price) - 12th overall!
GENE LIESER: 3rd Two Man Team Shoe (with Jake Engler)
8th Shoe to Fit - 9th Forging Front Draft Scotch Bottom - 16th overall!
Together, the AFT placed 5th in Four-Man Team Draft Horse Shoeing. Jake, Jim, Troy & Gene’s next competition is the at the International Team Horseshoeing Championship in Stoneleigh, England August 21-24, 2008.
Information courtesy Andrew Elsbree, CJF :: visit site ::