american farrier's association™
Since 1971, the American Farrier’s Association™ (AFA) has focused on improving equine welfare through excellence in hoof care and farriery. Educating farriers in the art and science of farriery has been central to this goal.
By expanding knowledge and honing skills through the AFA’s education and certification programs, AFA farriers provide better, more professional services to horses and the people who use and enjoy them.
The AFA, through its dedicated members, provides grounded information and support for farriers, equine professionals, and equine enthusiasts at all levels. Join our quest for excellence in hoof care!
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A SAD DAY
Legendary AFA member, Jack Miller, passed away July 23. His last stop was in Maryland. Jack was a traveler, who touched many of us on his journeys, and he will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Although it's difficult to smile and laugh today, Jack would want us all to celebrate and live large.
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AFA SPONSORS FOR 2011
The success of our association clearly has to do with the nature of our community. We’ve got a community of wonderful people focused on excellent farriery, people committed to building on our tenets of education, communication, research, certification, and innovation.
But we’ve also got a sense of fellowship and community that shares and builds together. People who realize that all of this happens because of loyalty, volunteerism, and sponsorship.
We ask that you support and promote those who support and promote the AFA. Thank and patronize our AFA sponsors! And remember that it’s never too late to join our growing list of sponsors.
2011 SPONSORS
as of August 24, 2010
Steel Level
Monetta Farrier Specialties, Inc.
Equilox International
Hurricane Forge - Robbie Hunziker
Keystone Leather
The R.A.T.E. Company
Aluminum Level
Yoder Blacksmith Supplies
Silver Level
EquiDesis™
GE Forge & Tool, Inc.
Gold Level
Vettec
Titanium Level
Delta Mustad Hoofcare Center
Note: All sponsor lists reflect commitments received up to August 24, 2010. Please add your name to the Sponsor List by contacting the AFA Office or downloading the AFA Sponsorship Opportunites packet. We appreciate your support !!
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AFA NOMINATIONS
Region 1
Nominee: Ruben Davalos, CF, #4946, exp. 4/11, WA
Nominated by: Bill Searle, CJF, #819, exp. 8/10, OR
Second: Greg Burdette, CJF, #1117, exp. 8/10, WA
Nominee: Steve Eastman, CF, #302, exp. 7/11, CA
Nominated by: Mike Chisham, CF, #8372, exp. 12/10, CA
Second: Buck Serres, #10366, exp. 2/11, CA
Nominee: Pat Smith, CJF, #1358, exp. 9/10, ID
Nominated by: Charlie Zamagni, #9197, exp. 7/11
Second: Robert Gushwa, CJF, #5925, exp. 6/11, ID
Region 2
Nominee: James Downs, CF, #9170, exp. 3/11, CO
Nominated by: Jacob Manning, CJF, #6639, exp. 8/10, UT
Second: Craig Quinn, CJF, #695, exp. 4/11, CO
Nominee: Dusty Franklin, CJF, #4361, exp. 4/11, OK
Nominated by: Pat Burton, CJF, #1736, exp. 11/10, TX
Second: Jake Whitman, CJF, #8921, exp. 11/10, TX
Region 3
Nominee: Ryan Clarke, CJF, #5524, exp. 2/11, IN
Nominated by: Danvers Child, CJF, #809, exp. 3/11, IN
Second: Troy Price, CJF, #3485, exp. 7/11, IN
Region 4
Nominee: Jason Gilliland, CJF, #7641, exp. 12/10, AL
Nominated by: Mike Miller, CJF, #5206, exp. 10/10, AL
Second: Dianne Lemmon, CJF, #2495, exp. 3/10, SC
Nominee: Jeff Pauley, CJF, #4263, exp. 12/10, NC
Nominated by: Jerry Langdon, CJF, #1879, exp. 5/11, NC
Second: Bill Reed, #8671, exp. 8/10, NC
Region 5
Nominee: Deb Ash, CF, #2403, exp. 10/10, NH
Nominated by: Georgia Barry, #10627, exp. 6/11, MA
Second: John Blombach, CJF, #2036, exp. 3/11, MA
Treasurer
Nominee: Alan Larson, CJF, #2785, exp. 10/10, TX
Nominated by: Buck McClendon, CJF, #3287, exp. 9/10, TN
Second: John Blombach, CJF, #2036, exp. 3/11, MA
Vice President
Nominee: John Blombach, CJF, #2036, exp. 3/11, MA
Nominated by: Deb Ash, CF, #2403, exp. 10/10, NH
Second: Georgia Barry, #10627, exp. 6/11, MA
Nominee: Pat Burton, CJF, #1736, exp. 11/10, TX
Nominated by: Dusty Franklin, CJF, #4361, exp. 4/11, OK
Second: Glenn Spradling, CJF, #3349, exp. 1/11, TX
President Elect
There is no current VP as Buck was moved into the President Elect spot following the resignation of Steve Sermersheim.
Candidate statements will be made available soon. Please contact the AFA office at info@americanfarriers.org or 859-233-7411 with any questions.
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AFA Certification: Endorsements
John Voigt, Endorsement Coordinator for the AFA Certification Committee, reports that the AFA’s certification endorsement programs are doing well and receiving much interest from the AFA community. The newly revitalized Therapeutic Endorsement program currently has more than a dozen candidates who are actively working to complete the endorsement.
With support from the Certification Committee, Voigt is currently working on revisions of the written exam, more clearly articulated guidelines for the case studies, and more opportunities for candidates to sit for portions of the exam at regular certification sites.
Likewise, the newly launched Specialty Forging Endorsement has several candidates who are nearing completion. Dusty Franklin has been spearheading this effort, working with other AFA Examiners, including Jason Harmeson and Bob Mederos. As with the TE program, the Certification Committee is working to set this endorsement in a manner which will allow candidates to complete much of the effort through the mail and at scheduled certification sites.
Additionally, the Certification Committee has proposed a plan which revises and re-launches the Educational Endorsement. Pending approval from the AFA Board of Directors, the Educational Endorsement will be offered later this year. While the old program was designed and targeted primarily for those involved with farrier schools, the new program is broader-based and intended for all AFA CJF’s, especially those who choose to provide educational lectures and/or demonstrations. Pat Gallahan, the AFA Examiner who was charged with revising the program, says the new endorsement should appeal to “any of us who are interested in teaching, mentoring, or lecturing for any group, not only for teaching other farriers.”
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AFA Advantage
Congratulations to James A. Lawrence #5876 from Charleston, West Virginia. An 11-year AFA member, James is the second winner in our AFA Advantage drawings; we’ve got a Toshiba Mini Notebook NB305 computer on the way to James now.
Our next AFA Advantage drawing will take place in August. With the exception of AFA employees, contractors, and elected officials, all Regular and Lifetime members are eligible. If your dues are paid, your name is “in the hat.”
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The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
As the Official Farriers for the Games, the AFA will be on hand during the entire span of the games (9/25/2010 - 10/10/2010) at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Volunteer now to be a part of the upcoming World Equestrian Games!
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WEG VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION
All WEG volunteers, including the AFA "Official Farriers," must register through the WEG. If you're not registered as a WEG volunteer, the AFA will not be able to follow up with you, so the first step in your volunteer effort is to :: complete this registration process ::
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FREE STUDENT MEMBERSHIP
The AFA's new student membership structure went into effect July 1st, 2008. All students enrolled in a 6-week or longer farrier course are eligible to receive a one-year FREE Student Membership from the AFA. Please contact the AFA office for specific information.