"This year is absolutely flying by – possibly something to do with having a Little Brown in tow – hardly seems possible we are now in September.

Harry passes exams

We are delighted to confirm that Harry passed his Diploma Examination from the Worshipful Company of Farriers with great results which now make him a fully qualified farrier. His apprenticeship officially finished on the 31 August and he graduated at a ceremony in London shortly after. He is currently on a well-deserved holiday but he is not leaving us – just yet!

Lewis secures a place

Lewis completed his two month probationary period before starting his apprenticeship officially on the first of September. College places were somewhat restricted this year and we were quite relieved to learn that he had secured a place at Warwickshire College. He is currently at College completing the first four week block at college.

Competition success

So many competitions and so many ribbons! Despite a few trips to A&E (I was kicked on the head, Robbie injured his leg, Harry had to have his eye washed out and I was then kicked on the finger) we have battled on and have enjoyed some great results.

Between the team we have secured multiple placing’s at the Ayrshire Branch Competition, Devon, Bath & West, Three Counties, Royal Welsh, Handmade Shoes (UK) Ltd Shoemaking Competition, Peover Game Fair and Newbury (Royal Berkshire).

Replacing the original Royal Show Championship held to coincide with the Royal Show at Stoneleigh each year, the British Farriers and Blacksmiths Association held the National Championship over the weekend of 11th - 14th August 2011. These Championships (and their trophies) are highly sought after amongst farriers across the UK.

I won in the Shoe & Tong with partner Duncan Thomson, received a second in the Open Therapeutic Shoemaking, a second in the Roadster, a fourth in the Heavy Horse Shoeing and won the Best Specimen Shoe for the Heavy Horse Shoeing. Overall I finished sixth in the ‘Royal Show’ Championship.

Client stories 

Hetta Carthew was successful this year to be selected to represent Great Britain at the International Pony Club Polocrosse Challenge held alongside the Polocrosse World Cup. The team won – read Hetta’s report complete with photographs on our website under ‘News’.

Monmouthshire Open Mounted Games team who train with Iain Hopkins based in Llanarth, Abergavenny have just been crowned the new British Champions after stealing the title from 2010 winners Shropshire after a fast and furious run off. The full story is on our website. Congratulations to them!

Coming up

I am part of the Welsh Team selected to compete at the International Team Shoeing Competition held on the first weekend of October hosted by the British Farriers and Blacksmiths Association. Wales will be one of 14 teams confirmed so far and we are busy practising. The team this year is a young team of up and coming farriers so the competition will be tough but good experience.

This competition will be one of the last in the year. It’s been a busy summer and it will be nice to catch up with bits at home and local friends we have not seen for a while! 

New website

We were busy working on the website in our last blog and pleased to confirm it has now gone live. We have had great feedback from current clients and have gained new clients already. The news section keeps everyone up to date with developments and changes within the business. Do have a look and let us know what you think www.nrbrownfarriers.co.uk"

Nigel