New farrier competition a big success
Farriers and blacksmiths went hoof to hoof at the inaugural farrier competition at Equidays this year, including two from Cambridge.
Callum Geddes and Kieran Dolan had nothing but good things to say about the Maneline Kerckhaert Farrier and Blacksmith Championship.
It was Dolan’s first competition, and he was in the junior apprentice category. Geddes was in the open classes.
‘‘It was fantastic, it was very efficiently run and there was a high standard of work being produced,’’ said Geddes.
He was pleased to see an event like this run at such a big equine event, in which 30 farriers competed.
‘‘Horse shoeing is an underestimated importance of the livelihood of the horse. You know what they say, happy hoof happy horse.’’
Dolan agreed and said he would happily do it again if they continue to run it.
‘‘It is a great addition to Equidays,’’ he said.
‘‘For the junior one, I had to trim a foot and make a concave shoe which was pretty basic.
In Geddes’ open section, he had to do some more difficult tasks.
‘‘There were various styles of shoes going on the feet like the wedge, which is a traditional shoe that used to be used on carriage horses.
‘‘It was also about keeping that tradition and it’s like an art, so keeping that alive is good,’’ he said.
Competitors had to hand forge shoes and be accurate in timed runs performing general shoeing.
He came fourth in the intermediate section.
‘‘It’s based upon the work you do each day. If your general standard of work is good, then there’s no reason you won’t do well in competition,’’ said Geddes.
It has given them both motivation to enter more competitions.
‘‘It has definitely helped me, even in the past week after Equidays I have been working better, and feeling more motivated,’’ said Dolan.
Their next competition is in Fielding on November 5.
Equidays event manager Ammie Hardie said it was an important addition to the threeday event.
‘‘A core focus of Equidays is education and good hoof care is imperative in horse management,’’ she said.