Exciting news from American Farrier's Association

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American Farrier's Association

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Issue 6

American Farrier's Association

4059 Iron Works Parkway

Suite 1

Lexington, KY 40511

859-233-7411

Fax: 859-231-7862

info@americanfarriers.org

www.americanfarriers.org

41st Annual Convention

Important Convention Dates

Pre-Registration Deadline: February 17, 2012
Hotel Discount Deadline: February 3, 2012
Certification Written Test Deadline: February 1, 2012

41st Annual Convention

Registration for the 41st Annual AFA Convention is now open! Registration Packets as well as Registration Forms for the National Forging and Horseshoeing Competition are now available for download on the AFA website. Registration for the convention is also now up on the AFA Online Store.

Convention Registration Packet

Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel

64 South Water Street

Mobile, AL 36602

1-800-922-3298

Click here for reservations

The Battle House

26 North Royal Street

Mobile, AL 36602

1-866-316-5957

Click here for reservations

Delta Airlines Discount Code

Delta Air Lines is pleased to offer special discounted airfares for American Farrier's Association 41st Annual Convention

To take advantage of these discounts, follow these steps:

Click here and enter Meeting Event code NM8CS then continue with online booking process, or you can call Delta Meeting Network® reservations at 1-800-328-1111**, Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. (CT) and refer to File Meeting Code NM8CS

**$25 service fee for booking via 1-800 phone number

Thank You to our Sponsors!

(list as of 12/29/11)

Specialty Sponsors

American Farriers Journal

Myron McLane Aprons

World Farriers Association

Anvil Brand
Equine Feed Oat Project

Hoof Level

Farnam

Horseshoe Level
Equine Feed Oat Project

Forge Level

Vettec, Inc.

Horse Science

Thoro'Bred, Inc.

Hammer Level

Premier EquineHealth Products, LLC.

Rasp Level

Castle Plastics, Inc.

The Horseshoe Barn

Monetta Farrier Specialties

Northeast Farrier Supply

NC Tool Company, Inc.

Jim Keith Tools

Ken Davis & Sons, Inc.

Nordic Forge, Inc.
Five Star Horseshoeing School

National Forging & Horseshoeing Competition Sponsors

Two Person Draft Class

Timpson Tamco, Inc.

Reserve National High Point Award

Farrier Industry Association

Vector North American Challenge Cup

Vector Horseshoe Nails

Delta Specialty Forging Class

Delta MustadHoofcare Center

Journeyman Class

Performance Horseshoeing

Vern Hornquist Memorial Class

Walt Taylor, CF

and Myron McLane, CJF

National High Point Award

Friends of the American Farrier's Association

Overall High Point Award

Friends of the American Farrier's Association

**If interested in sponsorship, please contact the AFA office**

"The Equine Veterinarian"

The AFA is excited to learn about a new publication that will be produced by the same company that will be creating our 2012 Convention Program. "The Equine Veterinarian" will be a great way to keep the lines of communication between the farriers and the veterinarians open. Click here to learn more:

The Equine Veterinarian

Dear Member,

Did you know that for the 2012 calendar year, the AFA is offering brand new members the discounted join rate of only $100?! This is a great time to start recruiting some new members in your area! It's easy, just print off some AFA membership applications and carry them with you in your rigs! You don't want to miss an opportunity to share your love of the association with someone new!

The next time you call the AFA office you may hear a new voice. We would like to welcome Laura Harbour as the new administrative assistant! Laura will be working for us on Tuesdays and Thursdays, assisting with membership and convention. Make sure to welcome her the next time you call!

AFA Membership Application

Sincerely,

Rachel Heighton

American Farrier's Association

Office Manager

Convention Highlight

Mobile update

The convention is just around the corner. Myron McLane and his skilled group of volunteers are ready for the annual contest. Over sixty have registered to

compete in the National Forging and Horseshoeing Competition with hopes to be crowned the highpoint winner and earn a coveted spot on the American Farrier's Team.

After the end of the competition, be sure to sign up for the hands on clinic. Dusty Franklin, CJF is lining up an all star group to help you with your forging.

The FIA has a large number of vendors ready to offer you the best and latest in farrier products. There will be plenty to see and purchase during the MarketPlace.

The city of Mobile and the Alabama Farriers Association are eager to show you their city and state. There will be plenty to see and do during your stay.

Check out the American Farriers Association web site for more speaker information.

Mobile Anatomy Lab

In past years the Anatomy Discussion Labs have always been offered alongside the main lectures. There was limited seating and usually a line waiting to get in. This year we plan to bring the Anatomy Lab to the main lecture setting. On Thursday and Friday the lab will be set for all to see and participate. You will see all the specimens presented, projected on the large screen in the main lecture hall. Feel free to participate with questions you might have for each set of legs displayed.

Annual Auction

Don't forget the annual Auction on Friday night during the convention! The annual auction proceeds help support the various AFA funds. Last year the auction brought in over $12,000. Thanks go out to Bob Garner and GE Tool & Forge for his support. Bob was the high bidder of "The Box" which went for $1000, as well as numerous other items. A special thanks also goes out to those AFA chapters that submitted handmade items for the auction. Western States "Wine Rack" sold for $1,350 and the Alabama Farriers Association's "Coffee Table" brought in $1,100. The Midwest Farriers "Fireplace Set" was also a big hit. There were many individualy made items as well as donations from the members of the Farrier Industry . Let's see if we can top last year's total! There is still time to make that special auction item. And don't forget the silent auction! There will something for everyone.

2012 Contest Update

The updated rules and shoe list for the 2012 National Forging and Horseshoeing Competition are available for download here. If you need a copy sent to you, call the AFA office at 859-233-7411.

2012 Contest Rules and Shoe Drawings

AFA Elections Update

Ballots for the upcoming AFA election are in the mail! Make sure to return yours to Don Gustafson, CJF, Chairman of the Nominations and Elections Committee, before February 3, 2012. If you have not received your ballot, please contact the AFA office right away for a replacement.

Certification Calendar

February 11, 2012 - Illinois

Hosted by LLHA

Anvil Brand Shoe Co. - Lexington, IL

Contact: John Voigt, CJF - 618-521-2610

Examiner: John Voigt, CJF

All Levels Written Only

February 11, 2012 - California

Hosted by Sierra South Horseshoeing Scool

Ramona, CA

Contact: Ken or Shelee Lyon - 760-788-0665

Examiner: Alice Johnson, CJF

All Levels, All Areas

February 29, 2012 - Alabama

AFA Convention

Mobile Bay Convention Center - Mobile, Alabama

Contact: AFA Office - 859-233-7411

Examiner: Wayne Allen, CJF

All Levels

Areas: Written ONLY

March 17, 2012 - Utah

Hosted by UTHG

Utah State University - Wellsville, UT

Contact: Kelly Liptrot, CF - 801-710-0630

Examiner: Dave Wright, CJF

All Levels, All Areas

March 24 & 25, 2012 - New York

Hosted by WNYFA

Center Pointe Stables - Penfield, NY

Contact: Kirk Smith, CJF - 607-351-0125

Examiner: Phil Bower, CJF

All Levels, All Areas

March 30 & 31, 2012 - West Virginia

Hosted by WVFA

Augusta, WV

Contact: Tony Weatherholt - 304-703-0440

Examiner: Phil Bower, CJF

All Levels, All Areas

March 30, 31 & April 1, 2012 - Oklahoma

Hosted by Oklahoma Farriers Association

El Reno, OK

Contact: Dusty Franklin, CJF - 405-209-7420

Examiner: Greg Burdette, CJF

All Levels, All Areas

April 6 & 7, 2012 - Indiana

Hosted by Indiana State Horseshoeing Academy

Straughn, Indiana

Contact: Ryan Clarke, CJF, FE - 317-554-7170

Examiner: Danvers Child, CJF

All Levels, All Areas

April 27 & 28, 2012 - Virginia

Hosted by VAHA

Kelly's Ford Equestrian Center - Remington, VA

Contact: Harold Plasterer - 540-729-6932

Examiner: Greg Burdette, CJF

All Levels, All Areas

May 4 & 5, 2012 - Illinois Hosted by Midwest Horseshoeing School

Divernon, IL

Contact: Steve Sermersheim, CJF, TE, AWCF - 217-304-1478 or Midwest Horseshoeing School - 217-697-4899

Examiner: John Voigt, CJF

All Levels, All Areas

May 4 & 5, 2012 - Minnesota

Hosted by Minnesota Farriers Association

Dave Lindahl's - Princeton, MN

Contact: Mark Thorkildson, CJF - 763-753-8388

Examiner: Jason Harmeson, CJF

All Levels, All Areas

June 1, 2012 - Washington

Hosted by Farriers Association of Washington State

Walla Walla Community College - Walla Walla, WA

Contact: Jeff Engler, CJF - 509-527-4291

Examiner: Greg Burdette, CJF

All Levels, All Areas

September 28 & 29, 2012 - Indiana

Hosted by Indiana State Horseshoeing Academy

Straughn, Indiana

Contact: Ryan Clarke, CJF, FE - 317-554-7170

Examiner: Danvers Child, CJF

All Levels, All Areas

Exam Fees:

$50 (AFA Members) - Certified Farrier, Certified Tradesman Farrier, Certified Journeyman Farrier

$200 - Non AFA Members

Mission of the AFA

"To further the professional development of farriers, to provide leadership and resources for the benefit of the farrier industry, and to improve the welfare of the horse through continuing farrier education."