New Zealand’s greatest shoe-off at Equidays

‘‘A core focus of Equidays is education and good hoof care is imperative in horse management and now spectators can see how the pros do it.’’

Farriers and blacksmiths from all over New Zealand will go hoof to hoof at the Maneline Kerckhaert Farrier and Blacksmith Championship at Equidays in October this year.

Equidays event manager Ammie Hardie said it is the first time a farrier competition has ever been held at the three day event.

‘‘A core focus of Equidays is education and good hoof care is imperative in horse management and now spectators can see how the pros do it,’’ she said.

Ben Stevens of Kowhai Forge explains the championship will be a demanding show of professional growth.

‘‘The Maneline Kerckhaert Farrier and Blacksmith Championship will ask farriers to display their skill, training and techniques in an environment designed to see them push them- selves.

‘‘We’re wanting to encourage their continuous growth and upskilling in their profession of farriery,’’ he said.

‘‘Over a series of heats, farriers will be asked to present a wide range of abilities to show competency, trained ability and knowledgeable insight to the wide range of problems and situations they may encounter on a daily basis.’’

From hand forging a range of remedial shows, to accuracy in timed runs performing general showing, the competition would ensure the farriers who compete are farriers who never stop striving to be the best they can be.

The Kowhai Forge Artistic Blacksmithing competition gives competitors the Friday of Equidays, a chance to traditionally forge anything they desire – limited only by their skills and imagination.

An assortment of steel will be provided from which contestants will forge their creations.

Only traditional blacksmithing tools will be allowed.

Equidays visitors will then have the opportunity to vote for the winner and all works will be auctioned off with proceeds going to charity. Each artist will choose their charity to donate to.

The Great Maneline Kerckhaert Farriers Shoe Off consists of nine events including Junior Apprentice, Senior Apprentice, Intermediate, Open Forging, Open Shoeing, Speed Forging, Judges’ Choice, Eagle Eye and Draught Shoeing.

Equidays will take place from Friday, October 14 until Sunday, October 16 at the Mystery Creek Events Centre.

It is the fifth year of the event and is acknowledged as a worldclass equine event which focuses on educating both horse and rider.