A new and prestigious farriery competition is to be held this year. The Mustad Champion of Champions Competition will be held alongside NAFBAE’s Farriery Focus at The Forge, Stoneleigh on 8th May 2010 and promises to be the ultimate display of craftsmanship. Never before have these previous winners of the World Championship Blacksmiths Competition held in Calgary each year been together under one roof at the same time.

Designed to be an open exhibition of forging and shoeing skills, the day promises to be both educational and inspirational. Participants will take part in a single shoeing round broken down into three sections to allow the work to be judged anonymously. Competitors will therefore leave the shoeing floor whilst the judges are present. Each judge will score independently.

The time will be alloted as follows:

• 7 minutes for trim, can measure foot and steward will cut steel
• 40 minutes to make and fit 3/4 fullered shoe for front foot and to start making specimen
• 20 minutes to nail and finish and complete specimen

A drawing of the specimen has been distributed to all competitors; a fullered roadster to be made from 11” of ¾” x ½” bar stock.

Marks allocated will be used to identify the farrier scoring the highest marks on the day; no other placings will be given. A charitable donation will be made by Mustad of £5000 to the charity chosen by the winning farrier; all other Champions will receive a further £250 for a charity of their choice. The presentation will be made in the evening at the black tie dinner to be held at the Warwick Hilton Hotel.

The unenviable task of judging such a competition can only be undertaken by two of the most highly respected farriers; David Wilson Snr (Scotland) and Marshall Iles (Canada).

David Wilson BEM FWCF AWCB won the World Champions himself in Calgary in 1985. A formidable competitor, David has not only competed at Calgary but judged the competition four times. Although officially retired, David still keeps his hand in and at a clinic given last autumn, demonstrated without a shadow of doubt his forging skills are still incredible. David is the sixth generation of Wilson farriers, a tradition which began in 1813, and continues with his grandson Josh being the eigth generation. Citing the competition as a “one-off chance to witness these farriers together” David is very much looking forward to the event and judging alongside Marshall.

Marshall Iles CJF is a practising farrier in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and works primarily with show jumpers. Well known and highly regarded for his crucial role in the smooth running of the Calgary competition, Marshall is “blown away” at the prospect of judging the Champions, citing many of the competitors as his “heros.” An “honour to judge alongside David Wilson,” Marshall believes the event will showcase the “guys that pave the way.” A tremendous event for the farriery industry, Marshall is very much looking forward to travelling to the ‘Motherland’!

Participants:

Bob Marshall (Canada)
Grant Moon (Wales)
Billy Crothers (Wales)
Richard Ellis (Wales)
Craig Trnka (USA)
Darren Bazin (England)
Mark Milster (USA)
Austin Edens (USA)
Jim Blurton (Wales)
Bill Poor (USA)
Paul Robinson (N.Ireland)
Steven Beane (England)