Farriers hoof to hoof

Farriers will go hoof-to-hoof in Equidays competitions at Mystery Creek in October.

Farriers and blacksmiths from all over the country will go hoof to hoof at the Maneline Kerckhaert Farrier and Blacksmith Championship at Equidays this October, in what promises to be the largest show of shoeing skill in New Zealand.

Equidays and Kowhai Forge are excited to present the Kowhai Forge Artistic Blacksmithing Competition on October 14 and the Great Maneline Kerckhaert Farriers Shoe Off on Saturday and Sunday, October 15 and 16 at Hamilton's Mystery Creek Events Centre.

"This is the first farrier competition to ever be held at Equidays, and we're thrilled," says Ammie Hardie, Equidays Event Manager.

"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.

"The Maneline Kerckhaert Farrier and Blacksmith Championship will be a fantastic addition to Equidays."

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

"The Farrier and Blacksmith Championship will ask farriers to display their skill, training and techniques in an environment designed to see them push themselves," says Ben.

"We're wanting to encourage their continuous growth and upskilling in their profession of farriery."

"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, this competition ensures 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 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 Shoe Off consists of nine events: Junior Apprentice, Senior Apprentice, Intermediate, Open Forging, Open Shoeing, Speed Forging, Judges' Choice, Eagle Eye and draught shoeing.

For more information visit equidays.co.nz.