World champion farriers to appear at Perth Show

VISITORS to Perth Show next month will have the rare opportunity to see the entire Scottish world champion farrier team in action.

National team manager and expert farrier Jim Balfour, from Tealing, is bringing his four-man team to the South Inch spectacular to stage a series of demonstrations for the public.

He is keen to use the gathering as a practice session for the squad in the run-up to the International World Team Shoeing Championship in England in September.

“Scotland has lifted the coveted championship for the past two years,” he said.

“But other countries are snapping at our heels and we welcome the chance for some team practice.

“Perth Show will provide the perfect platform to not only show off our skills to the public but also to perfect our team approach for our bid for the championship hat-trick.”

About 16 teams of farriers will travel from all over the world to compete at this year’s event, and they’ll all have Scotland’s crown in their sights.

“We’re hoping for three in a row but the competition is fierce,” said Jim.

Perth Show visitors will be able to see all four international champions and their manager in action as they work on both an open forge and a gas fire to craft horseshoes from straight metal bars, trim the horses’ hooves and nail the shoes to the feet.

Show secretary Neil Forbes said the farrier team would undoubtedly prove one of the most popular attractions on the Saturday of the two-day event, which takes place on August 4 and 5.

A picture inside the former hospital showing the level of decay.